Well, I've been home for about a day now and I think, as reluctant as I may be, that it's time for my final journal entry. So, looking back at my own journal that I have kept diligently, I thought an excerpt that I wrote on the plane from Churchill to Winnipeg would be fitting.
"There are no words to describe how I feel about everyone of the people here. I love them with all my heart and soul. We have all grown so close and so much in this one week that to me, but also for alot of the people here, it is just incomprehensible that I will never see the majority of these people again. That image just doesn't fit into what I picture for such an amazing group. Annie and I have spent the majority of this flight talking and crying. Just trying to figure this whole experience out and reflect on the PHENOMENAL time and people here. I really do think that we're going to find it hard and confronting going back home because this past week, we have been in a bubble of the highest order. And it's crazy, but coming into this, I didn't have any expectations but neither was I very excited but this experience has turned out to be all the better for it. I'm so comfortable in this environment. Everyone is so supportive and understanding and, I have realised as this journey moves along, that I have learnt so much from everyone here. More in one week here than I have from some people over several years. I love it here and I can't believe it's over already but, this is just the beginning of my journey and I couldn't be more grateful for everything this experience has given me."

In the past two weeks or so, I really have learnt so much. This experience has changed my life, all for the better. I'm more aware of the world around me. The people, the environment, all of it has been made clearer over these two weeks. Now, I really do feel like a leader; like I have the tools to tackle our problems and "INSPIRE CHANGE THROUGH PASSION AND AWARENESS." I have the support of an amazing network of people and I know that now. We were a fantastic team on camp and there is no reason that we can't be a team on opposite sides of the world. We might just have to work at it a bit harder. And after two of the most amazing weeks of my life, I'm quite willing to do a bit more work.

I cannot honestly believe that it is our last day today. The most of the day has been spent cleaning up and packing but, the most important part, for all of us, was our work on our forward action plans. This morning we focused, apart from taking ‘bear breaks’, on putting an actionable, realistic and time bound goal in place. Most of my work, I have decided will be spent working to increase education within my school and community. Whether it be my plan to bring recyclable fashion into my school’s home economics curriculum or speaking to my peers, I’m still really excited that I’ve been given the tools to put this stuff into action. I have met so many amazing people and seen so many amazing things but, it is now time to go home. Our flight leaves soon, no matter how reluctant we are to split up so I really better be off.

Saturday 6th October 2007

Today has been one of the most amazing days of not only the trip but my life. So much has happened today that I can’t possibly put it all into words. Anyway, I am determined to do my best as this will be my second last blog. We started today with a mock press conference, with each of us answering what was a pretty confronting question. A real highlight of this whole experience came next, starting with us putting on lots and lots of clothes. It was time for our helicopter ride inland to explore a polar bear’s maternal den! The ride itself was absolutely phenomenal because we could see so much and it was all so clear. When we landed there was SNOW ON THE GROUND and I was really excited. We got straight into a snowball fight and it was so great to run around. Exploring the den was really interesting because it just seemed to keep going. The flight back was just as much fun.

This afternoon was definitely most memorable for our huge visualization session and our work on our ‘vision’. It was really a chance for everyone to share their experiences and reflect on bonds formed and things learnt. It was a really emotional experience for everyone involved but one that I wouldn’t change for the world. I’ve discovered on this camp that it’s the passionate experiences that really impact you. Today was phenomenal and I do not believe that I could have shared it with a more dedicated, intelligent, friendly, amazing group of people.

Friday 5th October 2007

From what you’ve heard of my adventures on the tundra so far, I’m sure you’re aware that I’ve been having an absolute ball. Everyone, in my opinion, was pretty tired and subdued this morning. We’re getting towards the end of our journey now so I think, at least I know I am, getting pretty tired. I must say however, we’ve done a pretty good job of turning today around. Once again, the majority of this morning was spent preparing for another video conference and learning more about the artic environment. We’ve had really strong winds over the past 24 hours and so a lot of those 24 hours have been spent trying to fix our internet connection. Yet, the time came during lunch when we had to officially call off the video conference. So after lunch, we made a video. A video to send to the students who missed out on asking us all their wonderful questions. It felt good to be able to get to them even though we came across all those difficulties, everyone involved deserved it.

This afternoon’s tundra buggy ride definitely lifted my spirits, as seeing a polar bear sleeping outside your window always does. This bear was my favourite so far. I couldn’t really put my finger on it but I think it was just because he was so peaceful. Even when we drove up, he just lay there, following us with his eyes but then deciding to go back to sleep.

Today’s been a nice peaceful day for me. So many exciting things happen all the time around here so it was nice to just go with the flow a bit today. This afternoon has been a bit of fun, listening to Sean play the guitar and working on blogs. Everyone is doing their own thing and we’ve ll got smiles on our faces, so today has been another day of experiences and memories on the tundra.


Thursday 4th October 2007

I have been inside all day and yet I could well have motion sickness. The lodge has been swaying all day because the wind is extraordinarily strong and it has been raining/snowing all day long. It doesn’t make it much fun walking between cars in the lodge (because you have to go outdoors to change from the dining car to the common room for example) but we have most definitely kept ourselves busy inside. The majority of this morning was spent answering questions. We started with an activity working on solving ‘dilemmas’ that face us and people around us. We were forced to put ourselves into another person’s shoes which made it really interesting. The rest of the morning was spent practicing, primping and perfecting for our video conference with a Grade Four class at a school in Manitoba. And I must say, all our practice payed off. The conference went without a hitch, with all the students asking really fantastic, really interesting questions which made it all the more interesting for us as the ones that had to answer them. Everyone involved walked away with a sense of accomplishment and pride in our knowledge and ability to work as a team and be confident, informed individuals.

After a pretty hectic morning, this afternoon brought some downtime. Our deck of cards came in really handy as amusement, particularly when you don’t understand the game or aren’t a very good liar in a game that requires lying. After a while we were about ready to fall off our chairs with laughter – it was wonderful to have a laugh after a full-on, serious morning.

By dinner I was absolutely starving. As I have done a lot this trip I once again found myself comparing Australia to everywhere else – the USA this time. I’ve never visited another English speaking country before this trip and thought I would be safe amongst Canadians, Americans and Danish with English as my first language. I never thought it would take so much explaining to hold a simple conversation! There are just so many different words for different things and words that I’ve never even heard before like ‘homecoming’ and ‘toque’. I am however, working on my ‘North Americanisation’ – so far I have tried Reese Peanut Butter Cups, hot apple cider, Dr Pepper, Goldfish and even moose. I really am doing my best to assimilate but I will always be Australian at heart. And plus, I’m going home on Monday.

This morning started early. No singing by Robert for me this morning. My group was up at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast for everyone else. It’s amazing that we’re out in the middle of nowhere on the arctic tundra and yet Annie and I spent the majority of the day folding napkins into weird and wonderful shapes (even when we were on the tundra buggies this afternoon, jumping around). We went out on the buggy a fair bit today, this morning for about two hours and then again this afternoon because it was just such a beautiful, clear day. As per our usual luck on this trip, we saw several bears and came close to one catching a muskrat in one of the ponds. However, what was probably most exciting of all was that we actually got to get out of the buggy and onto the tundra for what is probably the first and only time. It’s so dangerous with so many polar bears around that this was a fabulous opportunity because, being out on Gordon Point, we were able to see in all directions and so could keep ourselves safe.

This evening has passed in a blur of cooking, napkin swan folding, waitressing and coloured lights. Dinner was a formal affair at the “Arctic Swan Restaurant” brought to the tundra buggy especially by Annie, Sean, Michael, Lisa-Joy, Bill and I. We had so much fun singing and serving and were even more excited when the northern lights decided to dance across the sky. Ronit, Charlotte and I huddled together, trying to keep warm because we were not willing to take our eyes off the sky and go inside. I felt so peaceful out in the fresh air simply because that is not something you see everyday, particularly in Australia. Things just keep getting better. I’m learning so much and am just looking forward to picking up more and to continuing this journey, taking it back to my community.

I suppose you may think that it’s just another day out on the tundra, completely isolated from everything and everyone else but it’s not! It started very eventfully with Robert Buchanan singing “Oh what a beautiful morning,” at the top of his lungs. It’s a really wet, rainy, windy today so it’s been kind of nice spending the day indoors looking out. Today’s been really low key compared to yesterday’s hectic schedule. We were put into groups of four last night and today we prepared presentations to give to different target audience on chapters of our ‘Impacts of Warming Arctic’ book. We took a break after a while, setting up tables in the common room and playing card games and eating all of Michael’s chocolate bought in Churchill. Lunch came next which was good for my rumbling tummy and I sat and had a chat with Michael, Connor and Annie. We talked the entire time about all kinds of things, from scary movies to differences in school systems. We were so engrossed in the conversation that every one had left and the people doing the dishes had nearly finished before we realized what had happened. It was very interesting and made even better by the fact that we’re so comfortable around one another now yet still have heaps to learn about each other.

After lunch, our group quickly finalized presentations and then we got started. We went second and I learnt so much from everyone’s presentations and had a ball! We laughed so hard during our presentation basically because Michael was rolling around on top of Annie, Sean and myself, pretending to be rising sea levels. It must be said that we didn’t get the prize for the most polished presentation. We took a ‘polar bear break’ shortly before we finished the last presentation as the bear we named Pepper was climbing up the side of the lodge – lucky we’re up high. She’d obviously been rolling around in the dirt, hence the name Pepper – Salt has been sleeping in the distance all day. At the moment we’re all just taking a break and getting these blogs done so we don’t have another late night – I doubt that’s going to happen but obviously being tired is just part of the journey. As my teachers tend to say back home, it’s character building, and I agree.

Both of our mornings started completely differently.

Omar: I woke up to the sound of my hotel phone ringing. My first instinct was to knock it off the set and go back to sleep, but I somewhat reluctantly picked up. Robert’s enthusiastic voice jolted me awake, and he escorted me to an early breakfast so I would be able to fast for the rest of the day. By the time I got back, the rest of the group was just starting to stir from their sleep. They headed out for their own morning meal and promptly returned to pack their bags.

Omar and Jess: The first port-of-call was D-20, more commonly known as “Polar Bear Jail”. While we were not allowed inside the complex, the natural resource officer showed us different methods used in the relocation of polar bears. We passed an old, abandoned wildlife research center and took a tour through the gloomy edifice. The interior was reminiscent of a Steven Spielberg horror film. Karyne and some of her co-workers gave us a tour and presentation of the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. Of all the parks discussed, special attention was paid to Wapusk as we would be visiting it later in the week. A bumpy ride signaled the beginning of our journey to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. While we were warned that we would be seeing a variety of wildlife, nothing could prepare or what we would actually encounter: bald eagles, ptarmigans, peregrine falcons, arctic hares, and…three polar bears! It took us by surprise seeing polar bears so early. They even came right up to the Tundra Buggy porch and stood up to inspect Omar.

Jess: For me, the day couldn’t have ended any better as an Australian. It snowed-not so much but it snowed all the same. What an awesome way to start the new month!

We’re finally here! Winnipeg was really good fun and the perfect place to meet and get to know each other but Churchill is really where we were always headed. We started at about seven in the morning with breakfast and I was much more awake than I have been previously because, for the first time since I’ve been here, I’ve slept right through the night.

Being our third day together, we were all pretty comfortable as a group and knew the drill so were organized to go to the airport, just across the road (literally) to catch our Calm Air flight to Churchill, on time. The flight was a bit scarier than going on a jumbo jet because it was really small and a bit less stable, but fun all the same and interesting to see how flat it is here. We were, at first, coping really well with the cold in just a t-shirt and jumper, but after grabbing jackets, gloves, beanies and scarves, we set out on a tour of Churchill led by Stephen, and were really glad to have them because it was COLD! After spending a little while on the beach, and touching the water of the Hudson Bay, we were warned off the beach by a natural resource officer because they’d seen a polar bear just up the coast. We’ve actually just been told that the bear has just been picked up where we were standing and has been relocated. We’re all amazed that it’s only our first day here and we’re already in the thick of the polar bear phenomenon. We went to dinner just down the road and ended up discussing strategies on avoiding polar bears on the way back. We were all working in these blogs and listening to Sean play the guitar in our beautiful and warm hotel when Robert Buchanan came in to tell us that we weren’t to rush but…the northern lights were out. So, of course, us Australians were leading the pack outside. We didn’t however, take the freezing cold wind into consideration and shortly had to run back in and get more clothes on. When I came back out, they were even bigger, better and brighter. We even got multi-colours – green AND purple! Having never seen them before, it was a really special experience – something else to add to my list of special experiences here.

If you’d asked me a few months ago what I thought I’d be doing on the September holidays, I never would have guessed that I would be half way around the world, getting ready to go polar bear watching. After an agonizingly long journey (about 32 hours total) it’s still hard to believe that I am really, finally here. The last few days have been amazing and we’re really only just getting started. Everyone here is so unique and absolutely fantastic so it has been really easy to settle into the group.

Today we visited the Winnipeg Zoo and had a huge group discussion about the positives and negatives of holding animals in captivity and it was wonderful to see everyone expressing their opinions openly and freely. A lot of the conversations we have relate back to really important issues and everyone views them a bit differently but is willing to share, listen and consider other points of view. We did however have some fun too – it’s not all really serious. Michael and I, being from Australia, have never seen squirrels before and there was one in the park so we got pretty excited. Both that and the fact that we got to stomp around on dead crunchy leaves like they do in the movies made us pretty happy! Michael and I got into a bit of a leaf fight which provided a bit of comic relief as Karyne and Stacey (both facilitators) took photos.

I’m still coping with the jet-lag at the moment but it is well worth it because I love it here – everything I’m learning, everyone I’ve met and all I’ve seen. It’s just really different from all I know so I’m just really excited to be here.