June 18, 2006
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Thunder Bay
I'm currently in Thunder Bay, at my aunt's place.
You know how they always tell you that you should leave yourself a couple hours in advance when your flying, because customs and baggage checking and such take time. Well, I'm not sure if they are always wrong, or this was just a fluke, but somehow I was through it all in about 20 minutes. It was about 1:20 then, my flight left at 4:15. Due to a foolish mix of lack of foresight and disregarding perfectly reasonable advice, I forgot the book I was reading in my bag when I checked it. Looking in the bookstore, the only interesting things I could find were either George Orwell, or Dan Brown. So I bought Animal Farm to kill my time. I figured if nothing else, I would look relatively intelligent to the attractive Asian girl who was sitting across from me.
If any of you ever find yourself having to make the flight plan decision between the price-equivalent Westjet and Air Canada's "Jazz", then you really ought to go with Westjet. The "Jazz" plane I was on was dainty. We were packed in there like bento for some unknown supping giant. It flew though, which is key for a plane.
Have any of you ever been to Thunder Bay? The word I would use to describe it is old. And not old in the sense of historical, or traditional, or interesting. Old like dried up industry. Everything just has this air of unkempt. I was told that the industries that once put Thunder Bay on the map are declining. The population is decreasing steadily, and the people who are left are getting older and older, as the new generation leave. I guess this kills the government's funds, because things like bus stops and street lights are all just old. It's like a future ghost town. 100,000 people isn't that large when it comes right down to it.
The wedding was nice enough though. If you didn't know, I'm here for my cousin's wedding. The service was done by a rather abrasive Lutheran lady. That church had an odd presents about it. I'll let it suffice to say that I think the clerical robes of the pastor were home made.
... I'm being told I have to go now. I'll tell you all more about the trip later.
Comments (5)
Aron, this is quality writing.
Unfortunately, I have no idea why you took a PLANE to Thunderbay. For some reason I picture it only being a few hours drive away. :/
19 hour drive, if you don't stop. Generaly seen to be a two day trip. Plus, I don't drive.
I've been to TBay many times. I have one brother going to Lakehead and another going to the college there. I actually love it up there - there is more to do than you think. Make sure you get homemade icecream in a homemade waffle cone at the Harbour at the old train station.
So... If you're flying out of the country (international) than you do need to be there quite a bit earlier because they tend to be a little more thorough going through customs and it's a lot suckier if you miss your flight, but for domestic flights they usually just ask you to be checked in about half an hour before your flight.
Okay there Mr. "I've lived in a suburb/city my whole life"...100 000 people is a lot when you're talking to a girl who sleeps outside of a small hick town...a variety of them in fact.
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