Monday, August 30

Northern Culture Shock




So I made it to Kuujjuaq, and I think I'm feeling a bit culture shocked. It doesn't feel like Canada at all here. It's cold and drab, and feels like late November. We went grocery shopping and everything was wilted or already expired (anyone have any great recipes that can be made out of canned food?!). 
I feel homesick already!  Day one is always hard, I guess. I'm sure it will get better.
Deep breath.... 24 more days to go!

20 comments:

  1. sounds crazy! you've got this though, a month is nothing! enjoy it. : )

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. I'll be honest. I didn't even know that people LIVED all the way that far north in Canada. I seriously thought it was inhabitable. I feel ignorant for admitting this. And on the interwebs, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope some sunshine and warmth find it's way there so it's not so drab!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hang in there babe! And if you need some distractions... come and check out my IHOD jewelry/accessories giveaway! :)
    xxx

    http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. What is that writing??? Oh you remind me of those films where some NY exec gets sent to the middle of nowhere and they have trouble adjusting at first but then... they love it! Hey, it's an experience and four weeks isn't that long. Think positive! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  6. what in the world...what language is all of that??? you can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good morning!!!!

    Just wait until you meet all of the people ... I know you will leave this experience wanting more!

    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  8. can't wait to hear more about your travels. take care!

    xo Alison

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ohhh I bet it will gett better...I know it will..just hang in there:)
    Kisses,sweetie and see you soon:)
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a new viewer of your blog. So brave of you guys to be pursuing your dreams in a far away spot - and doing it together!!!


    Don't know what kind of canned food you can get there but here's something I do:

    1 can kidney beans (or white beans or black beans)
    1 can of one of which ever bean you didn't choose already!
    1 can corn
    1 can black olives (crush with your hand)
    1/2 cup bottle salsa
    Possibly some salt and pepper

    mix together and enjoy

    When I make this at home I add chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and diced jicama but it sounds like you may not have the option.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm just in awe of you right now. Your travels sound SO exciting!! Be sure to post lots of photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What an adventure! You are right, it looks so different from the canada I've seen (Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria...). Can't wait to hear all about it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. serious culture shock!!!check out sandra lee's recipes... a lot of her stuff is canned... hope it gets better for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. glad you made it safe:) I get home sick real fast too...it sucks! expired food..ughhh! it doesn't sound good! i bet your staving for some reaaaaal food. take care and be safe! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. never heard of the village!
    i've been to Quebec before, but never here. is language a barrier?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! That language/writing is crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Vanessa,
    Thinking about your eating plight -- one of my favorite recipes for leftover Thanksgiving turkey has canned food as its foundation: 3 cans black beans + 4 c broth (can you find bouillon?), 1 T olive oil to saute 2 med onions + red or green pepper + 2 cloves garlic + 2 tsp ground cumin + 1 can diced tomatoes. Add 2 c diced cooked meat, And cilantro and jalapeno peppers if desired. Makes a lot.
    Good luck! Rosemary

    ReplyDelete
  18. My sister made the following recipe for a family picnic, and I couldn't stop eating it -- it's similar to Elizabeth's above: Rinse, drain and mix together 1 can black beans, 1 can yellow corn, 1 can white corn. Add 1 c hopped celery, 1-3/4 c chopped bell pepper, 1/3 c chopped red onion, 1 small can black olives, sliced. For dressing mix: 1/4 c dry red wine, 1/3 c olive oil, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 c fresh cilantro.
    I'm sure you can tweak, substitute or skip an ingredient or two and it will still be wonderful. Bon apetite! Rosemary

    ReplyDelete
  19. thank you, Rosemary, I'm going to try that! I actually found a small store here that has some decent veggies (the very basics), so I should be able to find all that stuff!
    : )
    oxo

    ReplyDelete

Any thoughts? I so love to hear from you!