Salut from Salluit!
After an night in the Montreal airport, five take-offs and landings, one unexpected turnaround, some uncertainty, and 22 hours of travelling, we've made it to Salluit, safe and sound. Kate, who is the English teacher at the high school and who has been our main contact throughout the year, was at the airport to meet us on her quad. She took us to meet Monique, who will be our host for our time here, and we got settled in immediately.
Salluit is beautiful. The surrounding area is mostly tundra - no trees but plenty of rock and snow covered hills. It overlooks a bay, which still has lots of ice. Our first view of the village was coming from the airport. As we drove down the hill, we could see all of the 60 or so brightly coloured houses that make up the community. Only about 1,200 people call Salluit home, but there seems to be plenty of activity. As we walked to the school this morning, we were greeted by people on their porches and kids running and tobogganing.
We've met many of the enthusiatic teachers at the school, and are looking forward to getting our health lessons planned and under way. We hope to begin teaching by the start of next week, and it seems like there are lots of opportunities to get involved in the community as well. There is a nursing station at the top of the hill, as well as a rehab center, two schools, and a kids club. We're also looking forward to taking shifts at the breakfast club which happens every morning at the high school and helping Kate with her girl's night for teenage girls next Tuesday.
There seems to be lots to do, so we better get to it!
From Salluit with love,
Heidi & Nikki.
