Now remember, this was 1963. Things were very different back then.
Remember the stairs are pushed out to the airplane and people come down to the tarmac and walk into the waiting room.
Inuvik was new and the airport facilities were new and shiny. So at 12:30 AM I walked into the terminal to find it busy and a smiling principal there to greet me. This was a surprise. More than that the superintendent was also there.
Now the superintendent walked over and handed me a key to my apartment! What? I told him that I was supposed to stay in the hostel. Well, he said an apartment came available. Well, how do you argue with the boss at 1:00 AM?
We finally go our luggage and got into the big suburban and off we went to town. The airport was nine miles out of town. They dropped me off at my apartment and saw that I got in. They said goodnight and I was on my own. Another teacher was on the plane with me and he was going on in the morning. He had asked if he could stay overnight with me.
The apartments were known as single staff. They were really a bed sitting room. The couch rolled out into a bed. the kitchen had a half sink , 2 burner stove and small fridge under the counter. They really meant things to be for single staff.
So there I was looking around in an apartment with all my stuff. So at 2:00 AM all I wanted to do was go to bed. We found bedding and made a bed and tucked in . I was so wired from the past 24 hours I slept very little.
Next morning came early. What will I have for breakfast? There was no food in the apartment. I think we went to the hotel for breakfast.
Now I was very fortunate that they placed me in the settlement they did. There was a restaurant, laundry, Hudson Bay store and more. So for somebody who didn't wash clothes the laundry was a goldmine.
Now in the next post will I eat or go hungry.
This was the hostel I was to stay in along with 350 kids and staff.
