From Coast to Coast

 First, I would like to apologize for not posting anything this week. It's been a crazy time with all of the preparations, last-minute packing, stop-overs and celebrations. We're really sad that we had to leave Nova Scotia with all of my family and friends but really excited for Noora to meet the other half of her family and experience Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. This is just a brief account of our adventure to the island.

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Well, after a LONG flight from Halifax to Vancouver, our little family was almost home. I had been anxious about Noora's reaction to being on a plane, but as always, she was wonderful. She ate during take-off and then slept for the majority of the flight to Toronto. We only had to wait 40 minutes until we were hustled onto the plane to Vancouver. Again, she ate during take-off and the proceeded to sleep.

She stole the hearts of everyone who met her, as usual. The flight attendants were especially taken with her on our way to Vancouver; one in particular. She took very good care of us and offered us a spot at the back so we could have 3 seats together instead of being cramped into our original 2. It was awesome. Noora slept, played and sat in her very own seat while Mommy and Daddy watched movies. It was heaven compared to what people had prepared me to expect. Screaming babies on a plane? Non-existent on Flight AC063!! She made friends with two little girls in front of us. She flirted with their father. She enjoyed Shrek 3 without the audio. Overall, she quite enjoyed her journey. A very stress-free trip to end a very stressful few weeks of decisions and preparations.

We landed in Vancouver exhausted but excited. It was so weird to see the mountains in the distance. The air smelled different (mostly city fumes...but with a hint of West Coast fresh air). Instead of catching a flight directly from the airport,  we were spending the night with Willie's cousin, Carol and then heading to Sandspit the next morning. She and her son picked us up and off we went, through the big city. My first time "in Vancouver".

I'm not a city girl....

All I could think was EWWWWWWWW!!Vancouver is HUGE! Thankfully, we were not in rush-hour traffic, but it still seemed really busy on the highways. And the drivers are not nearly as considerate as in Nova Scotia....I got a wonderful welcome to Vancouver when two drivers blared their horns and shook their fists at us (still not sure why...).I'm only accustomed to using the horn when there's an animal tempting fate or someone is making a stupid move like passing in a no-passing zone into oncoming traffic (true story...but that was in NB, not NS). Oh, city drivers...*shakes head in despair*. Well, apparently not. Oh well, we were leaving early morning to catch the last lodge flight to Sandspit (Haaw'a to the Skidegate Band Council for arranging the flight for the three of us!).We had alot of fun with Carol and her son, and some really great food too. Who knew grilled corn would be SO tasty?! The time difference was so draining but we managed. Up the next morning at 5am and at the airport for 6:30am. Gross....but this was the last part of our journey.

At the airport, we met a few other people Willie knew who were travelling back to the island. We had some good conversations about some serious things affecting people on the island. Unfortunately, we didn't come up with many answers. It's always nice to know you're not the only one though. It was really refreshing to see others FROM the area who had the same concerns I had...I thought my opinions would make me an outsider but I realize from talking with them (and Willie) that this is not the case.

As we boarded the plane to Sandspit, I took a deep breath and let it out. This time things felt different. Better. This time it was all about choices, not limitations. Sure there would be challenges but why let those outshine all the fun we could have.

The wheels left the ground and my heart felt light.

We were on our way home.