Getting Here...

August 31,2008
My journey today was pretty eventful – as predicted. I got off to a good start at 4am. It was unfortunate that I wasn't well rested, but that's just how things go. I got to Toronto in good time for my first flight. The nice driver helped me get my giant bags into the building and to the correct counter. Arin is a good guestimator. One bag was 40lbs and the other was 44. My carry on was 20lbs. And I was allowed 22 so at this point things are going really well.
...then I went to the security check in. Things can go straight to hell in a hurry as I quickly found out. I beeped when I went through the metal detector. That started it. I had to hold out my arms while the security lady found every piece of metal contained in my bra. Then she started checking my pants. When she put her fingers into the top of my jeans I drew the line – no touching ...sheeesh. I had to take off my boots which were put through the x-ray. She scanned my feet and lower legs with her wand. Wait there's more...I was then sent to a man who went through my carry on...ALL of it.I asked if he liked my underwear while I held a pair up for all the other people to see. He didn't like that, but it was the only way I had to get back at him. Once he stuffed all my belongings back in the bag he discovered he couldn't close it. I had lots of time before my flight so I stood there and let him figure it out. After all, I had already done it once. After I had been practically strip searched in full view of 40 people I was a little ruffled to say the least. I went to the gate for my flight. 10 min after I sat down, a baby projectile vomited all over the place. None of it hit me or my stuff, but it was almost an hour before somebody cleaned it up.
My first flight was not bad. I had a window seat. Take off and landing were not too bad. It is a funny sensation though. The hostess even offered people drinks. I had orange juice. We got to Timmins at 10am. I had no problem locating my luggage thanks to Morgan's expert decorations. I located the AirCreebec counter, but noone was there. I wasn't worried – that flight wasn't scheduled to leave unil 1pm. When I did check in I discovered that my carry on bag was now considered checked baggage so I had to pay for the additional weight. Oh well, not a huge deal, and not like I have a choice at this stage. And by the way – thanks mom for making sure I had money for this.Timmins airport is nice and small and...best of all ...they don't strip search people before their flights. However, at 12:45 they announced that our flight was 1hr late. A lady told me that it was a mechanical problem. That never sounds good to me so I did the sensible thing and called my mom. There was some concern at that point that they would have to cancel the flight. They didn't, but it was surely the smallest plane I had ever been on. 12 seats in total – all window seats. I had struck up a conversation with the lady who told me that it was a mechanical problem. She is a resident of Fort Albany and works at the hospital. She only had a $20.00 bill and couldn't get change. Naturally the restaurant wasn't open either. I gave her a toonie so she could get a drink at least. This was a good thing to do. When I found out she was diabetic, I gave her my trail mix – I told her it likely wasn't a good idea for me to eat anything at that point. When we got on the plane she told me the best place to sit and introduced me to the language teacher who was sitting behind me. We noticed the airline guys removing a large number of bags from the cargo hold. The pilot then announced that all of the baggage going to Fort Albany would be sent up on a different flight – different as in not today, maybe tomorrow. I told my new friend – great – I am going to a place I have never been, I don't know a soul, I don't even know if anyone is meeting me and now I will be arriving with a purse and a laptop and you can't eat either one of those!
The little plane was not so bad. There was lots of side to side motion. The scenery was great, but due to the lighting I didn;t take too many shots. We landed in Moosonee and were assured that out bags should be on the plane tomorrow at 12:40pm. We had time to pee while the plane re-fueled then we were stuffed back on for the last leg of the journey.
There was someone there to meet me at the airport – my new principal – Conrad Bobiwash. When he learned about the fate of my stuff – he told me not to worry. He took me on a tour of the school which is absolutely incredible. My title is Learning Resource Teacher or LRT for short. I will have a teaching assistant who is from the community – this is a huge blessing. He took me to a store to get some emergency supplies and found someone with a key to my new home. I have half of a duplex with 2 bedrooms, a very nice kitchen and livingroom and a full bath. There is also a utility room with a washer and dryer. It is very new and bright and fresh. All of the teachers live in a row on this street. There are kids and dogs all over the place. The people are very genuine and kind – at least the ones I have met so far.
One of the other teachers stopped by with some bedding, soap, towel, shampoo and conditioner, a plate, a coffee cup, a glass and some tea towels. She also brought me some pizza she had made and a juice box. Things could be a whole lot worse. I like it here a lot and I haven't even started working yet!
I will be going to #13 for pie and coffee at 8pm. They are also going to let me use their phone so I can let everyone in “the world” know I am alive. After that I think I will sleep for a while – I am nearly dead on my feet.