Johnny writes in his journal about his recent trip to Alaska, and how he is ready to go back there again.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 5:02 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Journal~
I am almost recovered from my recent trip to Alaska. Saturday will mark one week since I have been back, and although I DID miss maman, daddy, and my brothers and sisters, I did NOT want to leave Alaska, even after having to eat all. that. disGUSting. SEAL. and. whale. meat! LOL I did enjoy meeting Sikik's family and getting to see her again and all, but still, how she lives is entirely different than the way I do, and I wasn't used to the Inuit way of life. There isn't really all that much to do in Barrow (Barrow is a lot smaller than say, Anchorage or Fairbanks!), and it was cooooooooooooolllllllllllld up there! BRRR!! I about froze my Tennessee butt off! LOL
Sikik's family also spoke Inutpiat (which I have no way of knowing; it is too gutteral, and I couldn't make hide nor hair of what they were saying!), but they also spoke English, which was a BIG help to Barbara and myself! Barbara really had a problem with the cold temperatures up there, she is a Cajun, and she isn't used to extremely cold temperatures! Sikik has eight brothers and four sisters, and her daddy is still living (but he is now in the hospital; he has cancer). She lost her mom recently, so she was quite sad at times. I really felt bad for her!
While we were in Barrow, we heard from Michael, who lives in Anchorage, and he called to see how we were doing at Sikik's place. I thought that was very nice of him, but I could barely hear him. It didn't help that the Northern Lights messed with the signal up there! The Lights were really bright, and I thought of Ronee' immediately when I saw them! I know she would have loved to have seen the Northern Lights; she is Aurora-CRAZY! LOL
We did go to an Inuit festival, and that was interesting, especially when they had their games (the ear pull, wrestling games, and other unusual events), and also did their blanket-toss. I didn't go on the blanket, but Barbara did, and she was laughing to beat the band; she really had fun being tossed into the air like a rag-doll! If I had done that, I would have probably ended with my head buried in the snow someplace, or in front of a polar bear! LOL We also heard some native Alaskan music, and that was cool; I really liked that! I also got some Inuit crafts to bring home, and my family liked what I got them; and Ronee' loved her Northern Lights shirt that I got her, so that was cool with me.
But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and so we left on Friday, stayed the night in Anchorage, and then flew back to Nashville on Saturday, where we then got in that afternoon, and I never was so glad to see my family! I really missed them! We also got to go out to eat after we got Barbara's and my luggage, and we then went to the Grand Ole Opry; but I didn't see it all, as I fell asleep. I was TIRED!!
BUT I WILL say this: I am more than ready to go BACK to Alaska! :D I LOVE it there!
great story Karen. I was stationed in Alaska during my military service. Adak Alaska, the birth place of the winds. Almost got blew away a few times. I was a fireman, the wind almost blew the top off the firehouse. we had to tie it down with ropes attached to two big fire truckks. G
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd
4/21/2005
Very interesting and it sounds like he had a really good time. Be well.
Wow you really did your research about the folks in Barrow! I'm very impressed. Sounds like Johnny had a lovely time, but glad to be back home in the land of hamburgers and pizza. Ha ha! Blessings, Michelle
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Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 5:02 p.m., C.S.T.~
