Home at last...
The snow had stopped overnight so there was optimism that we would get home today. After a bit of a sleep-in, everyone met in the lobby at 11 AM to check out. While Tobias took another walk around Iqaluit, Jeff, Dejian and I had breakfast and tried to use the wireless internet at the Frobisher.
We called for a taxi large enough for four plus a lot of gear but got picked up by a guy with a large sedan. The driver managed to wedge all of our luggage into the trunk and us into the car. Surprisingly, we made it to the airport without losing anyone or anything. Check in went fine and all of our bags were soon destined for Toronto. However, it was odd that Jeff, Tobias and I got boarding passes for both our flights but Dejian only got one for the flight to Ottawa. The First Air staff didn't seem to have a good answer for him. We did have a nice flight to Ottawa. There was lots of food and the "special" First Air coffee if you wanted it.
Once in Ottawa, it was a challenge to find someone to help us. Finally, one Air Canada staff person was willing to figure out what was happening with us and our luggage. He wait-listed Dejian and Tobias on the 6 PM flight (the one that Jeff was booked on) and he assured everyone that their luggage would already be on its way to Toronto. Tobias, Jeff and Dejian headed off to have a drink before their flight. I went and met with some friends for dinner and then got on the 7 PM flight. I thought that everything had gone to plan until I met Dejian and Tobias (plus his girlfriend, Anne) sitting waiting at the luggage carousel in Toronto. Despite all assurances, their luggage had not been sent to Toronto ahead of them so they were hoping it had come with mine. Within several minutes, we all had our luggage and we could say our good byes before heading home.
It has been a good campaign, a long campaign and I hope a productive campaign. I thank all the ACE team members for their dedication and hard work throughout.
Best regards,
Kaley.
p.s. In the end, no one got sick but it is hard to say what role the Chinese herbal medicine and multivitamins played in this...