Winnipeg Again

Well, I'm settling in here in Winnipeg for the evening. Early tomorrow morning I will be on a Calm Air flight to Churchill. In the meantime I will have to repack for the trip. I can only take a very small carry on suitcase on the plane so I packed it in my large suitcase and now will do some creative packing for my onward journey. My camera equipment will have to go with me, as well as some warm weather clothing. The allowed size and weight concern me, but I am sure I will make it work. And hopefully all my luggage will make it there with me I'm a little concerned because Alec and Diana's had to be on a later fight when they visited a year ago.

I was quite surprised when we arrived in Winnipeg. I was so comfortable with the old airport and had no idea the new one had opened. So the familiar part of the trip was not so familiar after all. The flight was not good, it was smooth, the flight attendant was adorable and we had a lot to talk about, a lot in common. However the men behind me and the one across from me were all headed here to hunt and for 2 hours I had to listen to animal killing stories. It was terrible! So many that it took everything I had to not interrupt with my opinion. I know many people do it and love it but I have to say that I still can't understand the whole idea of killing things and then sharing the gory details of the animals' deaths. Broke my heart when I am headed here to get a glimpse of the beautiful polar bears whille I can. Yosef said that the majority of people headed here now are coming for hunting and I said I didn't like the idea of all those guns on the plane with me. He started telling me about the secure box in cargo where they are put, but it still makes me very uncomfortable. I usually come earlier in the season and guess I've been lucky not to share the plane with hunters before. Usually the plane is filled with people going and returning from Vegas, a popular destination for people in frozen Winnipeg.

I was very glad to get off that flight! I made it through customs without being interrogated but I am sure it was the man who did it before. He seemed to be trying to get me to say something that didn't fit, but my visit is simple, I'm simply here to see the bears. No killing from this lady! No stories, Churchill for a few days and then home.

After getting my luggage I had to walk through 2 parking lots to get to the old hotel that was across the street fromm the old airport. When I arrived I found out they have a shuttle now so I'll be taking that in the morning, no more venturing through parking lots with a cart of luggage! The wheel on my large suitcase broke off and that was the start to the day. I guess it is okay, it just rolls a little bit slower onlly having one wheel. Travel, have I mentioned it is more trying these days!

The sunset in Winnipeg was gorgeous! It's cold here but no snow. Yosef told me that it snows later and later here. He isn't looking forward to it, I'm hoping for it in Churchill at least! It's hard to believe that I am so close to the bears at this point. After a fun visit with my Winnipeg buddy, Mr. Perlman, I'm going to repack, eat dinner here at the hotel and try to get to sleep early for my early, long day tomorrow.

Au revior from Winnipeg...next entry will be from Churchill!