MY EXPERIENCE NORTH OF 60 By Gail Pichichero

After a whirl wind romance in Bombay, I arrived in Vancouver on December 15, 1985 and married Mike five days later. The three week honeymoon went by quickly and I boarded the plane to Yellowknife not knowing what the North had in store for me. I recall these thoughts crossing my mind as I sat through the three hour flight. “I’ve left behind my family, friends, an excellent job, wonderful students, to be with Mike, so no matter where I am in Yellowknife or Timbuctoo, I am going to give this my best shot.”

I had seen snow only in picture books, so was I ever excited to see and run my fingers through the glorious white stuff! Night had fallen by the time we reached Yellowknife airport - the tiniest airport I have ever seen. I glanced at some of the people waiting in the lobby - most were rugged, outdoor types dressed in heavy fur-lined parks and boots. I looked down at my spikey black high heeled shoes and felt incredibly silly.