Descending through the clouds, the area south of Churchill, Manitoba revealed a seemingly stark landscape of small lakes, patchy trees and low lying shrubs aglow in fall colours. A bright midday sun illuminated willows yellowing, bearberry reds, larch taking on just a hint of blonde prior to loosing their needles as shallow grasses waved and weaved between it all. A horizon uninterrupted by tall trees or taller buildings. I applied to come to Churchill and more specifically the Churchill Northern Studies Centre after an unfulfilled summer of low to dismal job prospects in my northern resource town. As mild depression and feelings of worthlessness, under appreciation and really-what-the-f-am-I-doing?!? were creeping in, I knew I needed to shake up my (lack of) routine and rediscover my direction while deeply reflecting on future plans.
There's something about isolated places that attracts unconventional people. Living, playing and working alongside and with these goofy, wayward folks is something I have sought out around the world. Aside from university residence halls, the shared intimacy of daily life cannot be harnessed anywhere else. Few other places do we have the opportunity to live closely with people who are not our family.
Happily I can recall more than half a dozen occasions where I have willingly left the comfort and security of home, friends and family for immersion travel. Satisfying experiences for paid and volunteer work that have taken me to truly great physical places while supporting that parallel journey of personal introspection and soul searching.
So, as I've outwardly oggled the recent northern lights and polar bear in my first week, I am also consciously monitoring inside for the redevelopment of creativity and passion.
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| Views from my bedroom towards Hudson's Bay |
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| Returning from field work |
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| Churchill River |
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| Churchill's own beach to Hudson's Bay |
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