Summers in Alaska - from a Lover of Eskimo Dancing

Hi there,

It's the 6th of July and I'm in Seattle with the extended daylight hours and thinking of my summers in Alaska. I spent 4 memorable seasons up there and I imagine not a year will go by that I won?t look at the solstice lighting and not think of that glorious place.

I'm going to give you a gift right now but you will have to help me a bit. It's going to involve time travel and closing of your eyes. It may include audio or sensory input like tastes and smells but I assure you it will be worth it.

Now, close your eyes and perhaps have someone read this to you and watch your face for the smiles and expressions as you relish this time in your past.

Ok. Think back. It's the summer of _____

One of the best summers I ever spent was working and living and playing in _____

I was referred to this job by ______

My roommate was _______ and boy were they _____

The Fourth of July parade was so hokey but _______

There was this one hike I can clearly remember and it was _______

My favorite part of that extended daylight was when you could _______

I don't remember ever getting that man _______

Have I ever told you about the weirdest food I ate that season? It was _______

Oh and the wildflowers and the trees and the smells, they were _______

The dining hall was something else, I remember one day when _______

One night we stayed up and _______

There was one _____ (bus, guide, bike, hiking trail) that _______

You should have seen my uniform, it was _______

Oh my gosh -- the most embarrassing thing I ever did that summer was _______

I wonder what ever happened to _______

They used to celebrate Christmas in the summer and _______

I busted my butt and worked so hard that summer and yet _______

OK - Open you eyes....

 

I have to Thank You for this chance to think back on some fond memories. Here is how I would finish at least one of the lines"

The weirdest food I ate that summer of 1985 was muktuk and also raw beluga whale meat. To be presented the opportunity to taste even the tiniest amount of these precious items from the sea were an honor and yet I can still cringe at the flavor and consistency. Muktuk is raw black whale skin -- bowhead whale most likely, and it's like chewing on a fishy rubber tire that won't ever dissolve. You can dip it in all the seal oil you want but I'm never going to crave it. The beluga was the taste that just kept on giving. Even if you had a healthy drink of beer,it just wasn't going to subside."

Would I have changed anything about this experience? Absolutely not!

So --tell a tale or two and smile!!!

If you care to share I'd love to hear the stories.

Oh and remember to refer your friends, kids, cousins, and anyone else to these seasonal jobs. Everyone should have such a set of memories.

Eviksuk (My Eskimo name which means lover of Eskimo dancing)

Among the amazing places Barbara has worked are the Pribilof Islands of Alaska.

Pribilof Islands, Alaska map - Tagzania