detail from: KRK Art dizajn

BUTTERFLY LOVE IN SPACE

NOVEL

CHAPTER 5

Lectures at the university had started by the mid of September. The whole University of Toronto is located between Bay Street and Spadina Avenue, from one side, and between Bloor Street W. and College Street, from the other. The Biochemistry faculty is at St. George Campus, in the Medical Science Building, room 5207, 1 King’s College Circle. The Chemical Engineering faculty is very close to the Medical Science Building, at the corner of St. George Street and College Street.

When Daniella and Daniel met on September 14th early morning in between buildings of their faculties, they only shook hands and exchanged kisses and went each to their classrooms. On the first day each of them got information about lecturing schedules, the professors who teach what, books necessary to buy, as well as about general regulations. Each of them had already paid the tuition fee, so they did not have to wait for that. Daniel went out about eleven o’clock and waited for Daniella for about fifteen minutes. When she was out he asked her if she’d like to have lunch with him.

-Of course, I’d love it! Where would it be nice to go?

Daniel did not have any particular idea, so he hugged her and they walked to the nearest restaurant where many students and professors go. When they went home they told mom Erika that they were not hungry.

While going to the university both of them used the subway train. Daniella lived five stops further and they had a deal that she always sat in the third wagon, so when train stops at Christie station Daniel would walk-in that wagon, and almost every time meet Daniella already sitting. At the university most of the students were coming earlier, such as D&D, and they liked to sit on the grass. Many students used to lie on the ground and look at their books. Daniel would usually find a tree in the park, sit on the grass, lean his back at the tree and hold Daniella’s head on his chest. Instead of holding the book he would hold her face. While attending the lectures both were good listeners and patient. They knew that by listening to the professor's explanation helps a lot, and also at examinations professors often ask questions which are mentioned during the oral lectures. Those who do not attend lectures would not know what professor wants the student to answer. They both had been advised by their parents on what details to pay attention to. As far as examinations were concerned, both Daniella and Daniel wanted to pass on the first examination each time and get as high marks as possible.

Marks at faculties are somewhat different from one province to another, but still all have approximately the same values. Those are displayed in letters (A-D) transient, and (F) weak (Fail). Usually, even with each letter added plus and minus (+ & -), this evaluation, divided into smaller steps.In principle: A = 86-100%; B = 70-85; C = 60-69; D = 50-59, and F = 0-49%. Daniel’s average was around ''A-'', which corresponds to between 86 and 88% and that for him was quite satisfactory. And his home members realized that he did it well. Daniella for her first year exams had much better marks, with an average of 93% (A). In her second year she started seriously right from the beginning.

The nicest hours of university time for students, such as for Daniella and Daniel too, were lying down on the grass at the end of September and the first week of October months, while all tree leaves turn a totally red color and make nature gorgeous. Even birds at that time seemed happy, chirping on trees, making the whole surrounding melodically pleasant. Those in love dreamed that they were flying in the sky.

Sitting in the train, on the way home, Daniel mentioned how he would like to visit the Far North of Canada, even preferably at winter time.

-But, don’t you think it’s too cold and risky? asked Daniella.

-I know it is cold, but I want to feel it as it is. To see and feel conditions under which humans can survive. The only thing is to find someone who else wants to go with me. That will be much more interesting.

-I have two girlfriends at the class, one of them knows a guy from Civil Engineering, he is Eskimo, and must be from the Far North. I will introduce you to her, and then you can try to find him.

Daniel accepted that, and the next day they all met at Daniella’s faculty, where he introduced Daniella’s friends Blanca and Elvira. Elvira told Daniel about Eskimo guy, whose name is Iluq, in his fourth year of Civil Engineering. Two days later Daniel went to the Civil Engineering faculty, asking in fourth year who is Iluq? Everyone knew him. He is very friendly with everyone, so soon they met each other. When Daniel told Iluq what he wanted, Iluq was surprised that someone would want to see his town. He instantly asked Daniel when he would like to go there, and was even more surprised when he heard that that would be for March break.

-It might be too cold for you, it will be winter time, and really cold. You can plan it for summer time, there is still snow.

-Don’t you worry, Iluq, I’ll be well dressed and prepared. Are you going home at that time?

-I am, but I am experienced, we have lived under those conditions for centuries and we have adjusted.

-We’ll be in contact, added Daniel, after winter exams.

-So, what's the result of your meeting with Iluq? Daniellaasked him on the way home.

-We agreed to go together. He goes home, anyway. So, after the winter examination we’ll get ready and go. I will phone you from there and tell everything when I return, if I return?

-Don’t speak like that, if you return. You will return for sure.

-Winters there are very severe, so I might freeze, who knows?

Soon winter arrived in Toronto, and cold winds started to blow, the temperatures were lower and lower from day to day. People were dressed warmer and walked the streets faster with bent heads. Students were getting ready for examinations, so were Daniel and Daniella too. When the time came, they didn’t have time to meet each other for almost three weeks. Daniella was occupied with Computational Systems Biology; Biochemistry of Proteins, Lipids and Metabolism, while Daniel mostly spent his time preparing Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering and Chemistry Science Engineering, as well as getting ready for Chemical Plant Design and the Elective theses. When all was over Daniella obtained an average mark of 95%, and Daniel 92%. She was again a bit better, but both very satisfied. Parents of them both congratulated them both and arranged a dinner in a restaurant for both families. At the dinner, Daniel told them his plans for March break time. Erika and Dennis were surprised, while Una and Michael were not. They knew their son well, so they agreed with what-ever he wanted to do. Their approach was:

-He is grown-up, we will help him whatever we can, and always give our best advice but it’s up to him whether he wants to accept it or not.

Daniella expressed her wish to visit her grand-ma Alana, who lives in small town Wanuskewin near Saskatoon, while Daniel travels to the Canadian North, during the March break.

When the time came she flew from Toronto to Saskatoon, where her grand-ma was waiting for her with a neighbor, who drove Alana in his car. At the airport grand-ma Alana strongly hugged Daniella, kissing her innumerous times, telling her:

-My dearest child, I have hardly waited for you to arrive, I love you so much. How are you my dear Daniella? How’s study? How are mama and papa? Are you all healthy?

Daniella answered that they are all well and her parents send her warmest regards with best wishes for her health. Alana’s neighbor Misha was standing aside, he placed Daniella’s bag into the trunk, and was watching them. Then they all went home, while grand-ma and grand-daughter were sitting in the back seat, talking and grand-ma had her right hand over Daniella’s shoulder. At home grand-ma had already prepared a good meal for her dear grand-daughter. After the meal they talked almost until midnight. Grand-ma Alana would never finish talking. She lives alone and loves Daniella very much. Daniella is her only grand-child, and she was so glad for her visit.

Alana also talked about herself, how she manages to do things. She said that Misha is her neighbor, living in the same building, and he helps Alana every time she needs something. Alana said that he and his wife have two very nice children, a boy and a girl, who are aged 10 and 7 years and go to school. She also said:

-Whenever I get my pension I give him some money. I know that he needs it for gas, at least, although he will help me even if I don't pay him. They are both Ukrainian, really very nice people. I have confidence in them under any circumstances. I do not know what I will do without them. It looks like God gave them to me.

Another day grand-ma and grand-daughter went downtown by city bus. They didn’t want to disturb Misha, as they had planned to spend the whole day strolling through shops. When two of them got hungry they went to the small restaurant, where they enjoyed a meal together. Grand-ma was particularly happy. At home, in the evening Alana showed her grand-daughter what she was knitting. When she got news from Daniella that she was coming, her grand-ma had knit a nice woolen sweater and scarf with Polish motifs. When Alana gave it to Daniella, she jumped, hugged and kissed her. The two of them were spending nice days together that both of them enjoyed very much.

One day Daniella and her grand-ma visited the “Wanuskewin Heritage Park”, the museum complex of local Cree Indian civilization, the largest Canadian archaeological discovery. The museum contains exhibits from the time of 10,000 years. Misha took them together with his kids. Misha had been previously with his family, but the children always liked to go to museums and any other attraction too.

In front of the museum building an Indian artist performed the national games, in which he captured with his play different animals. There Daniella with her grand-ma visited a wigwam, and some of them were still living with natives, while their children were playing outside. Daniella and Misha’s children entered one wigwam, where an old man was sitting and smoking a pipe. A wigwam host showed them pillows around, offering to seat, but Daniella thanked him, telling:

-We are just visiting and I was curious what wigwam looks like inside. We thank you very much, and wish you a nice day.

Immediately below the museum's escarpment, was a steep slope where Indians in ancient times were impelling buffalo to a slaughter. Right there in the valley they were butchering buffalo and meat that got ready-to-eat or dried for winter, and leather tanning. This park-museum was visited by many tourists from all over the American continent, out of which the most numerous were Indians of all tribes.

On a day after visiting Wanuskewin they visited the Indian reservation "White Camp Sioux Reserve 94", in Moos Wood, about twenty kilometers south of Saskatoon. The reserve is located on hilly terrain, surrounded on the upper side by a forest and swamp on the bottom. In the reserve lived about 40 families, and had a kindergarten and school until the sixth grade. The white man brought them electricity and a telephone. White men brought them “democracy” too in the election of their chief. Indians there elected their chief every three years, giving him another right of re-election. They looked lazy waiting for the postman to bring them cheques from Welfare, instead of being in hunt. They were told that they are descended from the Sioux and all of them call each other Su. The Reserve is surrounded by wire, banned from hunting, as it was for them in the blood, as hereditary traits of their ancestors. By the reserve they dragged slow and lazy, like lions in the July heat in the savannah. They seemed lost. Daniella felt sorry for those Indians, especially for their children.

On her last day with grand-ma Daniella told her that she has a boy-friend whom she loves, and she promised grandma to bring him next time with her. Grand-ma, hearing that, kissed Daniella wishing her great happiness.

When the time came to return, grandma had again arranged for Misha to take them to the airport, which Misha did with great pleasure. Kissing each other Daniella and Misha kissed too. Then Alana and Misha went up to the balcony to wave at Daniella when her plane takes-off.

In Toronto both, her mama Erika and papa Dennis waited on Daniella, eager to hear how grand-ma Alana is doing and how she spent her time with her. Daniella was full of great impressions, and she said she will go again, preferably with Daniel.

CHAPTER 6

A day after Daniella left for Saskatoon, visiting her grandma, Daniel and Iluq left for Ottawa, and from Ottawa they flew further to Iqaluit. The flight lasted about three hours. As advised by Iluq, Daniel prepared for the Far North climate. He packed heavy winter parka snow pants, shoes, gloves, and scarves, as well as warm pajamas and pullovers. While flying Iluq was informing Daniel about his town and everything that he would learn. Iluq was glad that some Canadians, white men, wanted to explore his area, Nunavut.

When arriving at the Iqaluit airport the first thing that surprised Daniel was the airport building more like a big plastic box. Further, when going downtown one can walk, it’s not far, but Daniel decided to ride on a dog sled, just for fun and the unique opportunity. He took a room in the hotel Capital Suites, which is in the town center. Iluq went to his home, where his parents father Takiyok and mother Kaya were eagerly waiting for him. Iluq told Daniel that he will come to pick him up the next day, to spend some time at his home, with his family.

While in the hotel, for the first night, Daniel was studying about Iqaluit. He found that about 7000 people live in town. There are enough people so that you continually see new faces, but few enough people so that you cannot avoid running into at least a handful of folks you know at the store, airport, restaurant, clinic, and (best/worst of all) the bar. Iqaluit is also small enough to know all the locals. The majority of people who live in Iqaluit have been living in northern Canada for thousands of years: the Inuit, who, along with First Nations and Métis, make up the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. However, Iqaluit is also considered to be the cosmopolitan hub of Nunavut, meaning you will see a surprising amount of ethnic diversity in Iqaluit.

Iqaluit on a map of Canada, look to the upper right until you see Baffin Island. Iqaluit will be labeled, as it is the capital of Nunavut. You’re north enough to experience a treeless landscape, but you’re south enough to evade 24 hour days or nights. Iqaluit is generally only accessible by aircraft and, subject to ice conditions, by boat. From the south, the only direct flight paths to Iqaluit are via Ottawa or Montreal. Iqaluit is located on Frobisher Bay, which is frozen from about November to June every year. This means that the town is ice-locked for most of the year. It is mentioned that the frozen bay becomes a highway for snowmobiles, leading to the uninhabited tundra and making “fly-in-only” communities accessible on land.

Iqaluit has a typically Arctic climate. It is cold. It is snowy. It is icy. It is pretty much winter from October to May. Even during the “summer months” one can forget about wearing shorts and a tee shirt. It’s rarely warm enough to do so; when it is, the mosquitoes will eat you alive. That being said, Iqaluit is blessed with a “dry cold”, which means there is not a lot of moisture in the air. This lack of humidity makes frigid temperatures much more bearable. You will find that on a calm, sunny, spring day, -15°C feels not only comfortable, but pleasant.

What do people do for fun? Iqaluit has a great small-town and a lot of community spirit. Iqaluit is completely surrounded by wilderness, and many people spend their leisure time “out on the land.” If you’re not the outdoorsy type, you can immerse yourself in the cultural scene, which is influenced by traditional Inuit crafts (sewing, sculpting, and print-making). Mostly, you will probably have fun the same way as you do down south: sharing food, stories, and laughs with your friends, family, and fellow Iqalummiut (people who live in Iqaluit). Of course, Iqaluit is all this and so much more.

As the capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit, of population about 7,000 is the largest in the territory. Even in the “big city,” though, there isn’t very far to go from one side of town to the other.

If you take a taxi, there is only a single price for all distances. The museum, legislative assembly, visitor’s center and a few hotels are within walking distance of each other.

The next day, after breakfast, Iluq arrived at the hotel reception calling Daniel to come down. He was ready, as he was expecting Iluq. They walked to his home, by the Road to Apex and Saputi Street. Iluq’s home was located in Qulliq Street. At home Iluq introduced his family members to Daniel: Father Takiyok, mother Kaya, brother Nilak and sister Suka.

Daniel has been delighted by having a chance to visit Iqaluit and especially to meet his friend’s family, who live in the Canadian north, about what most Canadians can only dream of. He thanked them for the invitation and asked Nilak and Suka, at least the younger generation, to come down to the “south” to be his guests in Toronto. While having coffee and talking about family matters and studies, as well as about Canadian North, Iraq's mom Kaya has prepared a lunch. For Daniel’s surprise she had prepared roasted Caribou meat and salmon. Iraq's father Takiyok regularly goes hunting and fishing. His brother Nilak is a local mechanic, mainly maintaining snowmobiles and hunting weapons. His sister Suka was about eighteen years old and just recently started to work in a local workshop where they produce Inuit souvenirs.

In the afternoon Iluq and Daniel went out by his snowmobile for sight-seeing of the city surroundings. While driving the snowmobile Iluq talked to Daniel about their town. He was mentioning:

-Iqaluit is an interesting place to visit, even for a short period of time. About 60% of Iqaluit’s population is Inuit. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Iqaluit was -46° C. On December 21st, the shortest day of the year, Iqaluit gets only 4.2 hours of daylight. On the longest day of the year – June 20th, Iqaluit gets 20.5 hours of sunshine.

On December 24th, the sun doesn’t rise until 9:25 a.m. The earliest sunset is at 1:40 PM on December 17th. Iqaluit has 20 kilometers of road. Most of it is not paved.

He also spoke about history:

-In 1576 British explorer Sir Martin Frobisher landed on southern Baffin Island in search of the Northwest Passage. He established a settlement at a spot that was long regarded as a campsite and fishing spot by the Inuit. On January 1, 1987, the name of the town was officially changed from "Frobisher Bay" to "Iqaluit". The North West Territories was split into two and the Territory of Nunavut was established on April 1, 1999. Snowmobiles and sometimes dog sleds are used to travel to the surrounding areas.

For his collection Daniel took Nunavut symbols, as he liked to keep it for himself. While in Iqaluit, Daniel has visited a museum where he learned about many other facts about Nunavut. For instance,the community is served by a single K–12 school, “Inuujaq” School. As the only outsiders in the community are government workers, the student population is almost entirely Inuit and the first language spoken is Inuktitut. Like most high schools in Nunavut, Inuujaq uses the Alberta educational curriculum.

Iqaluit experiences a tundra climate, with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. Positive temperatures are only on average from June to August. Record high was in June 18.5°C, Record law in February -72°C.

Summers are cool, often around 8 degrees Celsius. Ah yes, the 24-hour sun. When the sun rises on the 8th or so of May, it doesn’t set again until the first week in August. Conversely, it is set for three months on the 5th of November. Don’t let that fool you though; it is not “dark” for three months, as there is an ever changing amount of twilight after the sun sets. Early in the dark season the sun spends a lot of time just below the horizon. The photographers will find the light here magical.

Iqaluit has kept close the tradition of keeping working dog sledding teams. Several of the owners have made themselves available for day trips and short excursions. Just ask around.

Northern Lights are magnificent, with spectral colors. There are no better places in the world to view the aurora, but few this far North. Iqaluit is close to the magnetic north pole and that puts it close to the northern edge of activity. But the displays increase every year as the pole moves 41 km a year further away. There is activity most nights in the winter, with some spectacular displays, under intensely dark skies. Sure it’s cold, but the stars seem closer, brighter, and more plentiful here. Aurora and stargazing are purely winter activities though, because hey, 24-hour sun-come summer.

On the third day of his stay in Iqaluit Daniel decided to ride dog sledding. The day was sunny and partly cloudy, but without wind, although the temperature was -27°C and windchill -36°C, it was as usual for this region. Surrounding forests of predominantly bushes and conifer trees were covered with snow, giving the impression of a nice Canadian winter. When he sat at a sledge the owner already had a frigid eyebrow and mustache. He was official in comments, at start, but while driving he started to talk, giving information mainly about the dogs. He said:

-Ourdogsare highly intelligent, well trained, and responsive to verbal commands. Sled dogsin our area are used for personal transportation and mail delivery. They are also used for dog sledge racing. When he mentioned dog sledge racing, Daniel asked him for the lengths of distances in that competition. Then the driver answered:

-Our racing sometimes runs even up to a thousand miles. –Is that possible? Daniel asked him. –Yes, it is. I myself have participated in some. They last a few days. We have to feed dogs well, and give them rest at night. Sled dogs need a lot of food. They require up to 1700 calories a day, but when racing particularly Eskimo dogs can consume up to 10,000 calories a day. Now-a-days people breed fewer and fewer dogs, since they are replaced in transportation by snowmobiles. So, in modern times sledge dogs are used only in racing and for tourist attractions. That is one of the reasons why these trips are relatively expensive for you. I know, it is too much for you to pay, but vice versa we don’t make much, hardly for our lives and keeping dogs healthy.

Daniel was happy to be driven with twelve happy bouncing dogs at the sledge. When they finished the rut and shook hands, the owner Yokone wished him a happy return.

Before leaving Iqaluit Daniel went to Iluq’s home to greet them all, and thank them once again for the lovely meal and hospitality. All of them except Suka were at home. Suka was working at a time. They all sat for a short time, drank tea, and then Daniel shook hands with father Takiyok, brother Nilak and he kissed mama Kaya. He continued his trip to Alert, even further north.

It will be continued

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