LIGHT TRAFFIC

Beached in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

My official summer travels are now behind me and a new unchartered journey has begun. From a coffee shop in Fairbanks, Alaska, far removed from the daily excitements of the travel-writer’s life, I’ve begun reviving and sorting through my memories of the people and places that rocked my boat this summer. With only a couple days to spare in each province and territory, time was often too tight to properly soak in the vibes. But somehow, a few special moments managed to stop me in my tracks long enough to make me feel like I was really somewhere, doing something real.

The first of these moments that comes to mind is a house party I went to in Iqaluit. Under the midnight sun (the kind that doesn’t let you go to bed), we celebrated the birthday of Madeleine, a gifted throat-singer and artist. Among the guests were the members of Artcirq, an arctic travelling circus based in Igloolik, and those of Kalabante, a Guinean dance/drumming company who were in town for the Alianait Arts Festival.

Outside on the balcony, with the tundra surrounding us, we played Inuit hand-clapping and wrestling games. (For the record, I suck at both.)

The birthday girl, Madeleine @ Carolyne Weldon

Fun times.