Waiting in Line...Patiently

There is a sense of patience here in Rankin Inlet. People here have places to go but they just take their time getting there. It takes you ten minutes to finish dressing for a ten minute walk and then another few minutes to undo what you just did, before you did it. There is also some confusion at times. Not sure if it’s language or what but the thermostat photo shows the results. After two service calls the correct temperature range and the lower/higher thermostat was functional.

There are four way stop intersections that are only busy at five o’clock when all the government buildings empty. They may also be busy at 12 noon when everyone heads home for lunch but this is only conjecture since I stay in for lunch. I’ve seen those short school buses and the kids get dropped off for lunch and picked up again after for their afternoon classes. There are no other bus services but there are two taxi services in town. One is Silu`s and we just the last four digits. 645 is the exchange and you can get his number from information if you need it.

There is no stoplight here and many times people slow for the 4 way stop signs and then creep along. Often times they are accompanied by snowmobiles or four wheel “quads”. The roads are not plowed by plows on trucks. I haven’t seen any in town since I got here. There are some at the airport, I was told, and also a sweeper. Plows couldn’t handle it.

The streets are snow covered and not scraped down to the pavement. Is it pavement or gravel? I’ll have to ask. Instead, front end loaders continue to rearrange the snow piled along buildings, in parking lots and on the streets. It blows in. They remove it. I’m told the snow really starts to build up the end of march and in april. They tell me I should come back then. I smile.

This can be nasty weather especially when the winds blow like last week andf aginn with fresh snow this morning..gusts to 74 kmph. People take their time to bundle themselves and their kids before they head out into the weather for schools, stores or appointments. It’s cold here but the daylight hours have increased. I have adjusted to not wearing my facemask unless walking a distance. I carry it with me, though, just in case. It still takes you time to get ready.

You see cars sitting and idling away with no one in sight, in driveways and parking lots. They are plugged in at night so the oil is thin enough to allow them some cranking power in the a.m. Everyone carries an extension cord with them in their vehicle. Remote control starting is a big thing here, so you can have your car started with some heat by the time you go out. The gas station is out of town over on another hill. Theses four wheel drive SUV’s take about $80.00 to fill up.

It costs anywhere from $1800 to $2800 to ship a vehicle here. They usually come from Montreal on the barges or in containers. Factory trained warranty work is available. Parts are flown in as required. Every once and a while there are dealers who show up with some brochures and sell a few and next spring your car arrives. Don’t know if the “don’t pay a cent events” count here.

You don’t see rust and decay on the vehicles. On a warm -23 C day here in Rankin Inlet there are no lineups to get your vehicle “looking new”. There are no carwashes open this time of year. You notice that there is no salt stains on peoples clothing, boots, cars, or floorings. It’s too cold for it to work. They did spread some gravel on the parking lot of the health centre yesterday. If I had known, I would have been out there taking pictures.