Well, today had a number of firsts in it. Richard flew out to an outlying village, to inspect medical equipment. I bundled him into his new coat, coat bottoms, boots, ice clamps, hat, face mask, gloves, and sent him off. He could barely walk.
He got home about 7 pm, and his boss came in with him. He wanted to know if I would like to try a piece of Muktuk. I knew what is was, and told him sure. If it is not alive, I will try anything. For those of you who don't know, Muktuk is whale skin, with whale blubber attached. It had been cooked and was warm still.
I did not mind the taste, it is slightly fishy and salty, but I have never enjoyed eating fat. The skin had the consistency of grissle. Richard liked it, so I let him finish it. It wasn't horrible, but the texture was not like what I enjoy. Here is a link explaining what muktuk is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muktuk
Here is a photo of what Muktuk looks like:
http://brevig.bssd.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/cut.jpg
The black part is the skin, the white part is blubber. It is a source of vitamin C, and is supposed to be highly rich and nutritious. I would prefer the meat, but I said I would try it and I did. I will pass next time I think. It was nice of him to share some with us.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
First Blizzard, and Native Dancing
Today the first real blizzard arrived and with it a "Warm" day. Well, for up here, 28 degrees is a warm day! It is usually too cold to snow. I must be getting used to the way of thinking up here, because I was thinking, hope the ice is still strong enough to hold. LOL I don't even ice fish.
I am learning a lot about the native way of life. Last week I watched a conference in Anchorage on TV. I got to see Native Dancing and singing. The people are very humorous, and tell stories with their songs and dancing. Even if you don't know the language, you can understand what is going on by the movements in the dance.
My favorite dance was the seal dance. They sit in a row facing the same direction, as if in a canoe. The drum/singer calls out directions. Look to the left, look to the right, there one is, get the rifle, load it, fire! Bang goes the drum! He yells you missed, fire again! You got it! Paddle, paddle, now pick up the spear, throw it, now reel it in. It is a small one. Put it in your pocket, and we try again!
Next verse is the same, except this time, he says, there is a big one! World record! Fire the rifle, wait that won't work. Fire the machine gun, still not. Get the bazooka! You got it! Row, Row faster! Pick up the spear, never mind, just get out and pick up the pieces and take them home to Grandma!
Here is a short example I found on http://www.youtube.com/. You will be able to see what I mean! The people enjoy life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHfjFPjE_uw
Another type of seal hunting dance, more formal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHkYGUpEYbk
Check out this site for more about the conference! Goodbye for now!
http://www.nativefederation.org/
I am learning a lot about the native way of life. Last week I watched a conference in Anchorage on TV. I got to see Native Dancing and singing. The people are very humorous, and tell stories with their songs and dancing. Even if you don't know the language, you can understand what is going on by the movements in the dance.
My favorite dance was the seal dance. They sit in a row facing the same direction, as if in a canoe. The drum/singer calls out directions. Look to the left, look to the right, there one is, get the rifle, load it, fire! Bang goes the drum! He yells you missed, fire again! You got it! Paddle, paddle, now pick up the spear, throw it, now reel it in. It is a small one. Put it in your pocket, and we try again!
Next verse is the same, except this time, he says, there is a big one! World record! Fire the rifle, wait that won't work. Fire the machine gun, still not. Get the bazooka! You got it! Row, Row faster! Pick up the spear, never mind, just get out and pick up the pieces and take them home to Grandma!
Here is a short example I found on http://www.youtube.com/. You will be able to see what I mean! The people enjoy life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHfjFPjE_uw
Another type of seal hunting dance, more formal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHkYGUpEYbk
Check out this site for more about the conference! Goodbye for now!
http://www.nativefederation.org/
Friday, October 24, 2008
My First Hurdle!
Well, I just got the scare of my life. I sent in my prescriptions on Sept 29th to Aetna Home Delivery. Little did I know that it took them until the 17th of Oct. before they admit they got it. On the order form, I told them that snail mail takes a month to get to me, so please send Express Over-night. On Oct. 21st they mailed it.
I watched the mail for the medication, figuring it would be over-nighted and take 3 days. Yesterday, I called to get a tracking number, since it was not there yet. They informed me it went out by regular mail. I said what the hell! Do you realize you just killed me? Dr Valosik told me, that without my medication, I would be dead within 2 weeks. She told me, "Just go to your local pharmacy and get a weeks worth to hold you over."
I responded to her, A. There is no local pharmacy here, only the hospital pharmacy. B. 1 weeks worth won't do it, even 2 weeks worth may not do it. C. To get the hospital pharmacy to fill my prescriptions, I have to see a local doctor by going into the walk in clinic, pay the expense of an urgent care co-pay, and then a full co-pay for the medication, all because of THEIR mistake. (I saved a filled out copy of the order form on my computer).
I asked for a supervisor. She told me one is not available, and since I refuse to do what she has told me, she will transfer me to member services. She hung up on me, pretending to transfer me. I called right back, and got someone else, who connected me straight to a supervisor (not available huh?). By then I was in a dead panic, Crying. She calmed me down, told me to take a nap while she got permission to over-ride the rules, and she would get to me by noon Alaska.
She got permission for me to go to the walk-in clinic, and get a 14 day prescription filled, without having to pay for the co-pays. So, I got bundled up, called for a taxi (Cost $6 a stop), went out in 9 degree weather, with a migraine, to see the doctor and got my 14 day prescription filled. Apparently the supervisor cared enough to find out the name of the hospital, and let them know what was going on, and what I needed. She was a very nice person.
Richard does not have to go through this, since work covers him for free. We have the retirement coverage from the government, and we have to keep it, or lose it permanently. It is taken out of our retirement pay. For now, I am okay. But this incident really sunk home, just how scary and dangerous life up here can be. In November, I can change to a new insurance, during the government open season. I plan to! Then I can see a local doctor, without having the expensive co-pay of urgent care. Until that time, I will be a tad nervous. I hope all the medications get here faster than I think it will. Take care all!
I watched the mail for the medication, figuring it would be over-nighted and take 3 days. Yesterday, I called to get a tracking number, since it was not there yet. They informed me it went out by regular mail. I said what the hell! Do you realize you just killed me? Dr Valosik told me, that without my medication, I would be dead within 2 weeks. She told me, "Just go to your local pharmacy and get a weeks worth to hold you over."
I responded to her, A. There is no local pharmacy here, only the hospital pharmacy. B. 1 weeks worth won't do it, even 2 weeks worth may not do it. C. To get the hospital pharmacy to fill my prescriptions, I have to see a local doctor by going into the walk in clinic, pay the expense of an urgent care co-pay, and then a full co-pay for the medication, all because of THEIR mistake. (I saved a filled out copy of the order form on my computer).
I asked for a supervisor. She told me one is not available, and since I refuse to do what she has told me, she will transfer me to member services. She hung up on me, pretending to transfer me. I called right back, and got someone else, who connected me straight to a supervisor (not available huh?). By then I was in a dead panic, Crying. She calmed me down, told me to take a nap while she got permission to over-ride the rules, and she would get to me by noon Alaska.
She got permission for me to go to the walk-in clinic, and get a 14 day prescription filled, without having to pay for the co-pays. So, I got bundled up, called for a taxi (Cost $6 a stop), went out in 9 degree weather, with a migraine, to see the doctor and got my 14 day prescription filled. Apparently the supervisor cared enough to find out the name of the hospital, and let them know what was going on, and what I needed. She was a very nice person.
Richard does not have to go through this, since work covers him for free. We have the retirement coverage from the government, and we have to keep it, or lose it permanently. It is taken out of our retirement pay. For now, I am okay. But this incident really sunk home, just how scary and dangerous life up here can be. In November, I can change to a new insurance, during the government open season. I plan to! Then I can see a local doctor, without having the expensive co-pay of urgent care. Until that time, I will be a tad nervous. I hope all the medications get here faster than I think it will. Take care all!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Went Exploring
We were bored and watching TV, when my husband's boss Matt called and offered to take us on a trip down the coast to a fishing camp his friend owns. We said sure.
We got into his truck and headed south. Crossing the runway to access the road beyond was kinda scary. He kept saying, "Be sure to tell me if you see any planes, since Richard and you are on that side and would not like it much!" He showed us around the old army base, and headed along the cliff above the shoreline. What a view! You could see across the frozen ocean to the faint shore of Russia.
We went down a bit and passed a few ponds. As he noticed me looking at the ponds, he said that is the sewer, and to be glad it is frozen. He said it really smells in the summertime. Now I know what they do with the gray water! I guess they put bacteria in it, like a septic tank. Humans really know how to damage our environment sometimes. Sigh.....
We continued on down the gravel dirt road, when suddenly I noticed a Red Fox. It is still in its summer coat. They usually turn pure white in wintertime. It had been busy, and had caught a seagull out on the ice. It kind of looked at us, and decided we were harmless and went about his business.
We got out on a overlook on top the cliff, where Matt said they hold a lot of cookouts in Summer. It was very windy, and very cold. Only about 19 degrees. We started up a really steep hill, and saw an accident. It must have happened last night. I hope no one was seriously hurt.
We went down the other side of the cliff, and along a road that gets washed out all the time. It is basically the bed of a river, they made a path over. Part way down was a barge upside down, that sometime during a storm had wrecked. It was pretty rusty, but reminded me just how close to the ocean we are.
We finally got to the fishing camp. They had shacks built, that people live in during fishing season. There were drying racks, horns, boats, but no people at this time of year. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera. I asked if he would bring us back sometime, once I get a better camera. Then I can share in more detail with photos.
We had him drop us off at a restraunt. It cost us $65 for 2 of us to eat. I don't think we will be eating out a lot. But, it was very tasty and worth the money. The people here are very friendly and outgoing. So far, I am really enjoying living in a freezer! BB for now!
We got into his truck and headed south. Crossing the runway to access the road beyond was kinda scary. He kept saying, "Be sure to tell me if you see any planes, since Richard and you are on that side and would not like it much!" He showed us around the old army base, and headed along the cliff above the shoreline. What a view! You could see across the frozen ocean to the faint shore of Russia.
We went down a bit and passed a few ponds. As he noticed me looking at the ponds, he said that is the sewer, and to be glad it is frozen. He said it really smells in the summertime. Now I know what they do with the gray water! I guess they put bacteria in it, like a septic tank. Humans really know how to damage our environment sometimes. Sigh.....
We continued on down the gravel dirt road, when suddenly I noticed a Red Fox. It is still in its summer coat. They usually turn pure white in wintertime. It had been busy, and had caught a seagull out on the ice. It kind of looked at us, and decided we were harmless and went about his business.
We got out on a overlook on top the cliff, where Matt said they hold a lot of cookouts in Summer. It was very windy, and very cold. Only about 19 degrees. We started up a really steep hill, and saw an accident. It must have happened last night. I hope no one was seriously hurt.
We went down the other side of the cliff, and along a road that gets washed out all the time. It is basically the bed of a river, they made a path over. Part way down was a barge upside down, that sometime during a storm had wrecked. It was pretty rusty, but reminded me just how close to the ocean we are.
We finally got to the fishing camp. They had shacks built, that people live in during fishing season. There were drying racks, horns, boats, but no people at this time of year. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera. I asked if he would bring us back sometime, once I get a better camera. Then I can share in more detail with photos.
We had him drop us off at a restraunt. It cost us $65 for 2 of us to eat. I don't think we will be eating out a lot. But, it was very tasty and worth the money. The people here are very friendly and outgoing. So far, I am really enjoying living in a freezer! BB for now!
Monday, October 13, 2008
I settle into my new life!
The first morning I woke up, I realized I could not tell which way was north. This was a new experience for me. I could usually tell what direction I was facing, and about what time it was by looking at the sun.
In Kotzebue, at least at this time of the year, the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the southeast. It basically makes a small arch at the front of the house. The sun comes up pretty late in the morning, around 9 am at the present time. Eventually it won't come up for more than about 45 minutes, and those 45 minutes will be more like twilight. I have heard the northern lights help to make it not so dark, but so far, I have not been outside at night to look for them.
My first trip to the store would have been a real shock, if I had not had some warning about the expensive cost of food. I thought I was being really careful. I got all sale items, except for the few things that could not wait for a sale. Some examples of cost: $9.95 a gallon for milk, $9.95 for 12 cans of coke, $18.00 for a bag of Halloween candy, $14 dollars for cough medicine, etc. I bought the basics, and paid out a whopping $280. You read it right, $280 dollars! I had 2 boxes of food. The cashier asked me not to faint when she read the total. She knew I was new to Kotzebue.
I walk to the store to save money, unless it is icy. Then I bring a taxi home. The taxi took some getting used to as well. It costs $6 a stop per person. A taxi is shared, and don't be in a rush. Sometimes they pick up relatives and drop them off as well. It is an interesting way to see the village, and most of them have gotten to know me, and respect my questions. They know I want to learn, and enjoy teaching me. They are a very nice people. I think I am going to really like it here.
I found out last Monday, that this is considered a desert. It is very dry. People actually look forward to the snow and ice, as it cuts back on the dust. Anual rainfall is only about 5-14 inches a year. Average is only 8 inches. That is how it qualifies as a desert. We really have to be careful about dehydration. We need to drink extra water to prevent this.
Speaking of water, I am not sure where it comes from, or what they do with gray water. That is one thing I plan to find out about. Well enough for today. I hope you are enjoying my blog!
In Kotzebue, at least at this time of the year, the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the southeast. It basically makes a small arch at the front of the house. The sun comes up pretty late in the morning, around 9 am at the present time. Eventually it won't come up for more than about 45 minutes, and those 45 minutes will be more like twilight. I have heard the northern lights help to make it not so dark, but so far, I have not been outside at night to look for them.
My first trip to the store would have been a real shock, if I had not had some warning about the expensive cost of food. I thought I was being really careful. I got all sale items, except for the few things that could not wait for a sale. Some examples of cost: $9.95 a gallon for milk, $9.95 for 12 cans of coke, $18.00 for a bag of Halloween candy, $14 dollars for cough medicine, etc. I bought the basics, and paid out a whopping $280. You read it right, $280 dollars! I had 2 boxes of food. The cashier asked me not to faint when she read the total. She knew I was new to Kotzebue.
I walk to the store to save money, unless it is icy. Then I bring a taxi home. The taxi took some getting used to as well. It costs $6 a stop per person. A taxi is shared, and don't be in a rush. Sometimes they pick up relatives and drop them off as well. It is an interesting way to see the village, and most of them have gotten to know me, and respect my questions. They know I want to learn, and enjoy teaching me. They are a very nice people. I think I am going to really like it here.
I found out last Monday, that this is considered a desert. It is very dry. People actually look forward to the snow and ice, as it cuts back on the dust. Anual rainfall is only about 5-14 inches a year. Average is only 8 inches. That is how it qualifies as a desert. We really have to be careful about dehydration. We need to drink extra water to prevent this.
Speaking of water, I am not sure where it comes from, or what they do with gray water. That is one thing I plan to find out about. Well enough for today. I hope you are enjoying my blog!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Journey North Begins!
Well, here we go. I left Tennessee on Sept. 17th. It was the beginning of my journey to the great frozen north. Getting to Kotzebue was no easy trip. First plane was American Airlines. I landed in Chicago, got a wheel chair, and the poor guy nearly died pushing me to the next gate.
After a few hours, I boarded a Air Alaska plane heading for Seattle Washington. The trip went smoothly. Then it was a race for the next plane. That plane took me to Anchorage. I arrived at around 11 pm and checked into my hotel.
I had to stay over night in Anchorage. Flights to Kotzebue are only in the morning and early afternoon. I took the second flight. It had a lay over in Nome. Each stop got a little colder. Finally after a brief hop, I landed at my new home, and was happy to be here. It only took me 27 hours to get here!
It was the first time in my life I departed a plane from the rear, and had to climb down stairs to get off. Next was the shock of my life.
Kotzebue is not anything like the lower 48 states. The buildings are all up on stilts. The roads are all dirt, except for 3. And stuff is piled everywhere! I never saw a plane in someone's yard until I got here.
I was met at the door by someone with a wheel chair. Since the building was the size of a small house, I told them I really didn't need it. They said 'But we got you a chair!' I told them I appreciated it, but my husband was waiting right there.
It has been culture shock adjusting to the new place. Mail takes about a month to get here, so I had to make due without most my clothes and stuff. Finally, it was all delivered, or I hope it all was. Never ship anything to Alaska without putting it in good boxes and using a lot of tape. It barely makes it in one piece!
The apartment was really nice, but was very dirty. Apparently, the cleaning person had quit, and the last person didn't feel the need to clean much. It took me a week to get it in a good condition, and I still find stuff I missed. Eventually it will be to my standards.
I am tired, so I will write more later. I hope you enjoy my blog!
After a few hours, I boarded a Air Alaska plane heading for Seattle Washington. The trip went smoothly. Then it was a race for the next plane. That plane took me to Anchorage. I arrived at around 11 pm and checked into my hotel.
I had to stay over night in Anchorage. Flights to Kotzebue are only in the morning and early afternoon. I took the second flight. It had a lay over in Nome. Each stop got a little colder. Finally after a brief hop, I landed at my new home, and was happy to be here. It only took me 27 hours to get here!
It was the first time in my life I departed a plane from the rear, and had to climb down stairs to get off. Next was the shock of my life.
Kotzebue is not anything like the lower 48 states. The buildings are all up on stilts. The roads are all dirt, except for 3. And stuff is piled everywhere! I never saw a plane in someone's yard until I got here.
I was met at the door by someone with a wheel chair. Since the building was the size of a small house, I told them I really didn't need it. They said 'But we got you a chair!' I told them I appreciated it, but my husband was waiting right there.
It has been culture shock adjusting to the new place. Mail takes about a month to get here, so I had to make due without most my clothes and stuff. Finally, it was all delivered, or I hope it all was. Never ship anything to Alaska without putting it in good boxes and using a lot of tape. It barely makes it in one piece!
The apartment was really nice, but was very dirty. Apparently, the cleaning person had quit, and the last person didn't feel the need to clean much. It took me a week to get it in a good condition, and I still find stuff I missed. Eventually it will be to my standards.
I am tired, so I will write more later. I hope you enjoy my blog!
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