For the year-end field trip I decided what better plan than to take the students back to their roots - "We are going to Wanuskewin!" - in part because it was befitting the culture and the curriculum and maybe more so because I had never been there and wanted to experience it for myself! 😆 When I suggested it to the class they all rolled their eyes but agreed on the condition that a stop at Ruckers, the amusement place, should be included. I had no problem with that. The trip was to be an overnighter; we would have to take sleeping bags and other gear. "Oh, and by the way, the teacher is usually also the driver." "Great!" Gulp!
So the day came and we set out in the vehicle: 12 students, an adult "antie-chaperone" and myself. Before leaving the reserve, I thought it prudent, since we were allotted an older van, to fill up with gas and get everything checked by an attendant. The trip to Saskatoon was uneventful. I can't remember why we ended up on Spadina Avenue but there we were, almost right in front of the old chateau-style hotel when the van stalled and I could not get for life nor money, the motor started again. Traffic began to accumulate behind us and I was fearing an upcoming mutiny by the students because we had not been to Ruckers yet. So the boys scrambled out of the van, and because we were on the top of a slight incline, pushed the van "downhill" with the help of some bystanders and, miracle of miracles, the motor started up again! By now the sweat was pouring out of me and I hightailed it straight to a garage where a mechanic's head disappeared under the hood and found a cap that was not screwed into place. Thankfully we had no more mishaps with the vehicle after that!
Ruckers was enjoyed by all. Then on to Wanuskewin where a guide toured us around, had a bannock supper prepared, told stories by the fire and made sure we were all comfortably tucked into our sleeping bags in the big tipi, our sleeping accommodation for the night. The guide would be back in the morning to make breakfast.
Just before daybreak I woke up and had this eerie feeling. The fire had long gone out, the temperature was near freezing and some of the tipi flaps were rattling in the wind. I was stone cold. I looked around and to my astonishment realized that I was indeed all alone in the big tipi: my companions had abandoned me, God only knows how long already. I found them settled in the van where it was cozy warm, the windows dripping with condensation. Once inside myself, it took me 2 to 3 hours to regain my normal body heat, but without question I had a superb front seat to a magnificent sunrise!
Back at the school, people wanted to know how the students had enjoyed their field trip. Their general response was: "Ruckers was good!" 😏😄
Back tomorrow with an update on my situation. SanTeh!
Song by Buffy Saint Marie: Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjgaF3KqqiM
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