Sitting on top of the world :)

I’m finally here and it’s awesome.  It might be made more awesome by the fact that I had to earn it on the trip up, though.  Thursday July 26^th marked the start of a long and often tedious trip.  It was early when Nigel and I met our first challenge.  West Jet, oh West Jet I really did want to like you but alas I do not.  In fact, I may just hate you… it all depends on how you respond to my strongly worded letter, I suppose.  Anyway, I was told IN WRITING to show up to the West Jet Cargo building 2.5 hours before my scheduled flight so that Nigel the dog could be prepped for flight.§  Dark and early, at 4:00am I stood like a confused child at the empty West Jet Cargo counter and blinked dumbfoundedly at Doug (the forklift driver) as he told me that the West Jet guy never shows up before 5am – putting me less than 2 hours before my scheduled flight with 4 over sized extra large bags to check.  Doug also informed me that my water dish wasn’t right – despite all my phone calls and questions to West Jet.  I wasn’t going to cry.  Oh no, I was pissed.  Have you ever dealt with an automated system with “voice recognition” when you are right steaming angry?  Well I did, at 4am in the pouring rain.  It went a lot like:
                “For service in English, say English”
                “OPERATOR!”
                “I’m sorry, did you mean English?”
                “Yes.”
                “Please listen to the following -
                “OPERATOR!”
                “It sounds like you would like to be redirected to a sales super agent, although that may require               some wait time or you could stay on the line and I could help you right now.”
                “SALES SUPER AGENT!”
                “Did you say sales super agent?”
                “For the love of all things – YES!”
                “Ok, redirecting you call now.”
Anyway the lady who I eventually spoke to was very nice despite my obvious frustration and checked me in while I was waiting for this guy to come fill out the paper work on my dog. I have a feeling she also noted on my ticket that I was really, really, really dissatisfied because when I actually did make the counter in the airport, the girl waved my overweight and excess baggage fees (which is unheard of because West Jet charges FOR EVERYTHING - thank you, but not enough). Doug the fork lift guy really helped me out by giving me a proper water dish and he confided in me that West Jet always sends people to cargo without the proper information.  Whatever, I made the flight and my dog made the flight and we both made it to Edmonton safe and sound.  I just have an uncontrollable urge to spit and shake my fist every time I hear the words “West Jet”.
                Edmonton was humid and about 15C, other than walking Nigel the dog around until he was exhausted, I spent most of my time napping and eating room service.  I was able to store all my luggage for $5/piece overnight so I only had to worry about Nigel’s crate.  Friday, the first leg of the trip was Edmonton to Yellowknife.  I’d like to think that you can plan everything and get all the answers by calling  ahead and saying please but I can honestly say, it’s impossible.  I spoke to First Air and asked the girl at the counter where I needed to bring Nigel’s crate in the morning and she said to the counter and I asked “even with my 4 overweigh, oversized bags?” and the answer was yes. So I brought my dog and overweight bags to the counter – and didn’t they look me right in the face and say you can’t bring them here, they have to go to the oversized baggage counter.  I didn’t bother hiding my frustration. I explained that I asked yesterday and was told to bring it all here to THIS counter and that if I was going to have to bring my bags anywhere someone was going to have to help me since I busted my butt getting them here.  I got help.  Nigel the dog and I made it safe and sound to Yellowknife. 

It was a happy surprise meeting up with Tammy my RCMP officer friend who I originally met in Qikiqtarjuaq in 2008.  Now what was supposed to be an hour layover turned into an overnight stay due to a mechanical issue with the plane.  Tammy took me out to a steak and lobster military fundraiser and then on to an animal shelter fundraiser. I came away with a full belly and a “Sexy Northern Man” calendar.  I also came away with several new RCMP friends J Thanks Tammy!  I also got a bunch of travel and food vouchers thanks to First Air.  The rescheduled flight was supposed to leave Saturday at 10:45am but ran late and we didn’t board until 2pm.  Thankfully, Yellowknife Airport is super chill with dogs and let Nigel hang out with me in the waiting area.  He loved all the attention from other travelers who missed their own animals.  

The flight on the little plane was loud but smooth and I was met at the airport by my principal and another teacher. They drove my bags and my dog to my new house J  It’s big, with light hardwood floors, mud room, two bedrooms, big open kitchen, and laundry room. I’m impressed.  It’s nicer than the Qik.  I’m having a slight issue with the sand tracking through the house but I’m working on it.  I can’t wait for my vacuum to show up.  I’m going to have to talk to the housing people because my couch is broken in the middle and my kitchen chairs are all scary wobbly – like I haven’t sat on them, I’m terrified of it blowing apart under me.  Saturday night I stole some internet and managed to fire off an email to my family but I haven’t been able to get back on to it since.  Monday I am going to set everything up so I should have phone and internet.  Pictures will follow (or be updated) as soon as I can find my camera cord… I’m almost positive it’s being shipped…. Or maybe stored…

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§ If Nigel and his crate had weighed at sum total of 100lbs he would have flown from the gate for $56.50 instead of Cargo for $400