Fire under the Starry Sky

How many teachers can you pile into the back of a truck to take out on the tundra? More than you would think. The decision was made to celebrate the new school year (and the labour day weekend) with a bonfire out on the tundra. Some of the guys had managed to get a huge pile of wood out there ready to go, and as night fell we headed out. Only a few of the teachers here have vehicles and by the time we finished picking everyone up there were close to a dozen of us in the back of the pick-up headed out onto the land. We couldn't have picked a better night. There was enough of a breeze to make things comfortable and to blow away the light cloud cover. The sky was a stunning carpet of twinkling lights and not too long after the stars came out, the northern lights decided to make an appearance as well. They weren't the bright pink, yellow, and green that you see in the famous pictures. Instead we were treated to shimmering waves of green that danced in the sky, illuminating the few clouds that were left with an almost silvery colour. Fire burning brightly as people baked bannock, roasted hotdogs, and enjoyed each others company. It was a great night of camaraderie out on the land. A few of us decided to end the night by walking back to the village. As we walked back, skirting the bay under that blanket of stars I was stuck by a feeling of happiness. I am a teacher in the arctic and I think I am going to love it here.