Well, I made it!!! Today is officially my first full day in Bella Bella, I work nights the next two nights and then off for 4 days, hopeful to get called in too! Sunday/Monday were pretty long days due to traveling and also going in for orientation for 8 hours. The time change has really thrown me for more of a loop than I thought it would. I woke up at 0600 this am feeling well rested and ready to go, and realizing its because its 0900 at home. So I forced myself to stay in bed until 0900, in which I woke up feeling like I wasted my whole day! Such a weird feeling this time change, I've never experienced jet lag before, so this is new for me!
I got to Vancouver sunday night around 2100 (9pm) Vancouver time and didn't get to see much because of it being dark, so Monday am when I got on the next plane headed for Bella Bella and got to take off into the morning sunrise, it was a clear, beautiful morning so I could see mountains and ocean with such ease. Plus, the plane was so small it could only go so high which meant for great views all around. That plane was the smallest I'd been on yet! Single rows, so everyone had a window and an aisle, 2 rows. When getting into the plane you couldn't stand up straight to walk to your seat (well, some vertically challenged people might be able too hehehe). Once seated it was quite comfy though, and the views were spectacular. We had one stop in Port Hardy before getting to Bella Bella and I just couldn't get over the views. I will post some photos from my plane ride, ignore the dirty window!
I got to Bella Bella and got into that unmarked white van taxi, which was driven by a very nice man, who essentially takes people to and from the airport to the seabus, its a pretty common trip. When I got to the hospital, I found I was staying at "the lodge" and got laughed at when I asked if it was within walking distance LOL. So I go loaded up again and off we went. The drive is quite interesting, even more so knowing that I am taking myself to and from work in the cars provided so I paid extra attention to the route. Well, its just one road, but it takes a good 20-25 mins because of how narrow, rocky, steep hills up and down and sharp random turns this road has out to the lodge. I also have to unlock and re-lock a gate every time I go in and out of it, and at night, it is QUITE dark, but no worries - a flashlight and key is provided in the glovebox LOL.... What an experience! I thought to myself last night - "when will I ever get to do things like this again, don't freak out, embrace it!"
The lodge itself is just stunning! If you've seen my facebook post you know what I'm talking about. Apparently, this is used in the summer to take guests on a sport fishing adventure, and it costs a pretty penny too! It's so weird that it doesn't feel like you're on the water at all, it just feels like you're on land with oceanfront. Nope, I'm literally floating. Some things make it obvious you're on a floating lodge, like how there's an ever so slight slant to the one side, which you only notice when doors either open or close automatically. Sometimes you feel a rock, but I haven't really noticed yet. I slept great, and that's all that really matters! LOL. So, there is 4 of us here right now, in a huge 17 bedroom lodge. One man - Jim, is the full time caretaker and stays on the property and makes sure the cars are working and maintains the lodge. He is super nice, kinda Santa Clause looking too! Beard and hair! There is one other agency nurse, and an x-ray tech here, and that's it so far! Ruth, the other nice, is a super nice lady. She has been here since the 6th and gave me the big tour of where everything is and what to do. She is also planning a Christmas Eve dinner with lots of co workers! How awesome?? I work nights so I have to leave early, but I get to at least enjoy the first part of the party. She's gotten the place all decorated and making everything from scratch! Mom sent me with some Christmas Crack so I will be making that my contribution as I haven't had much time to get myself organized here yet. It's so nice knowing that yes, I'm so far from home, but we can make the best of it together and still have a great Christmas!
Work has been good too, I've only done an 8 hour day there yesterday, and the first day always seems overwhelming. The staff were awesome and very welcoming. They also took advantage of how naive I am when I asked about any stores being open or how I head back to the lodge LOL. They told me that the bars were open and to watch out for the Sasquatch LOL. It was all in good fun! Every patient in the hospital has an ocean view from their room! The hospital is literally on the shore! its crazy! Absolutely stunning.
Well, I'm off for a nap I think before nights, then head into town before night shift to get some groceries and check out the store (THE store, the only one LOL). I miss everyone back home!! and hope you all have a Merry Christmas!! Enjoy my photos : ) I'm off for a few days after these 2 nights so I will get out my good camera and do some exploring.
Merry Christmas!!! xoxoxoxox
I got to Vancouver sunday night around 2100 (9pm) Vancouver time and didn't get to see much because of it being dark, so Monday am when I got on the next plane headed for Bella Bella and got to take off into the morning sunrise, it was a clear, beautiful morning so I could see mountains and ocean with such ease. Plus, the plane was so small it could only go so high which meant for great views all around. That plane was the smallest I'd been on yet! Single rows, so everyone had a window and an aisle, 2 rows. When getting into the plane you couldn't stand up straight to walk to your seat (well, some vertically challenged people might be able too hehehe). Once seated it was quite comfy though, and the views were spectacular. We had one stop in Port Hardy before getting to Bella Bella and I just couldn't get over the views. I will post some photos from my plane ride, ignore the dirty window!
I got to Bella Bella and got into that unmarked white van taxi, which was driven by a very nice man, who essentially takes people to and from the airport to the seabus, its a pretty common trip. When I got to the hospital, I found I was staying at "the lodge" and got laughed at when I asked if it was within walking distance LOL. So I go loaded up again and off we went. The drive is quite interesting, even more so knowing that I am taking myself to and from work in the cars provided so I paid extra attention to the route. Well, its just one road, but it takes a good 20-25 mins because of how narrow, rocky, steep hills up and down and sharp random turns this road has out to the lodge. I also have to unlock and re-lock a gate every time I go in and out of it, and at night, it is QUITE dark, but no worries - a flashlight and key is provided in the glovebox LOL.... What an experience! I thought to myself last night - "when will I ever get to do things like this again, don't freak out, embrace it!"
The lodge itself is just stunning! If you've seen my facebook post you know what I'm talking about. Apparently, this is used in the summer to take guests on a sport fishing adventure, and it costs a pretty penny too! It's so weird that it doesn't feel like you're on the water at all, it just feels like you're on land with oceanfront. Nope, I'm literally floating. Some things make it obvious you're on a floating lodge, like how there's an ever so slight slant to the one side, which you only notice when doors either open or close automatically. Sometimes you feel a rock, but I haven't really noticed yet. I slept great, and that's all that really matters! LOL. So, there is 4 of us here right now, in a huge 17 bedroom lodge. One man - Jim, is the full time caretaker and stays on the property and makes sure the cars are working and maintains the lodge. He is super nice, kinda Santa Clause looking too! Beard and hair! There is one other agency nurse, and an x-ray tech here, and that's it so far! Ruth, the other nice, is a super nice lady. She has been here since the 6th and gave me the big tour of where everything is and what to do. She is also planning a Christmas Eve dinner with lots of co workers! How awesome?? I work nights so I have to leave early, but I get to at least enjoy the first part of the party. She's gotten the place all decorated and making everything from scratch! Mom sent me with some Christmas Crack so I will be making that my contribution as I haven't had much time to get myself organized here yet. It's so nice knowing that yes, I'm so far from home, but we can make the best of it together and still have a great Christmas!
Work has been good too, I've only done an 8 hour day there yesterday, and the first day always seems overwhelming. The staff were awesome and very welcoming. They also took advantage of how naive I am when I asked about any stores being open or how I head back to the lodge LOL. They told me that the bars were open and to watch out for the Sasquatch LOL. It was all in good fun! Every patient in the hospital has an ocean view from their room! The hospital is literally on the shore! its crazy! Absolutely stunning.
Well, I'm off for a nap I think before nights, then head into town before night shift to get some groceries and check out the store (THE store, the only one LOL). I miss everyone back home!! and hope you all have a Merry Christmas!! Enjoy my photos : ) I'm off for a few days after these 2 nights so I will get out my good camera and do some exploring.
Merry Christmas!!! xoxoxoxox