Impressions of Iqaluit

In the days before smoking became the ultimate social faux pas, hotels would have large ashtrays filled with sand by the doors and elevators. Walking the roads of Iqaluit, I've come to believe that all that unneeded sand has now wound up here. Everywhere you go, the ground is covered by sand filled with cigarette butts.

The first thing you'll notice in Iqaluit is how filthy and run-down it is. Garbage rolls through the streets and the houses are in poor repair. The city has a dingy grey feel, despite some brightly coloured, newer buildings that have been built.

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Iqaluit is also the place where old shipping containers go to die. You can see them all around town, sometimes incorporated into peoples' houses.

The beach has a number of abandoned boats scattered around. This one had all the windows smashed and had anything of value taken out, but seemed not to be that old.

Construction is a big industry up here. The population is growing fast and the federal government does not appear to be too concerned with costs. Here's the new hospital that's going up. It looks like they got Frank Gehry to design it.

Here's a shot from a hill that overlooks the town. I wanted to get one nice shot, because the place isn't a total disaster. The Inuit are very friendly, and Iqaluit is a place where you say 'hello' to people you pass on the road. And outside of town is very beautiful, hopefully I'll get a chance to make it out there.