Fly me . . . Anywhere!

Well, I thought I ought to post about what I've been up to even though it will be a little sad. On Wednesday, December 9 I received news that my grandmother had passed away. I was more than a little upset and feeling pretty guilty about living across the country. So, I spent an eventful few days trying to get back to Ohio.

It turns out that changing your airline ticket is not very easy. It started with the bush plane. I made a reservation with Grant Aviation for their late afternoon flight (around 5:30). The plane finally landed at 6:15 or so. When it did land, I noticed that it was full, of course that's only 5 people. The pilot apologized, but couldn't really do anything. In the meantime, I made arrangements with a second airline (Yute Air) to pick me up. So, everyone left, and Portia and I sat there and waited. Then, my phone rang. It was Yute telling me they were done flying. I begged the agent to send someone because I was trying to go home for a funeral. He said he'd try. So, I called Grant Aviation back and had a little conversation. It went something like this:
Me: I had a reservation, and when the plane landed it was full. I need to get to Bethel.
Grant: We're sorry ma'am. We fly again at 8:00 tomorrow.
Me: Now you listen. I use this airline because you're reliable. I'm trying to get home for a funeral. Now, the time I need you, you're not reliable. I'm a teacher. Do you think I won't tell people what happened! I need to get to Bethel! My flight leaves at 8:40 PM.
Grant: I'm sorry, ma'am. When the pilot lands, we'll send him right back to get you.
Me: Good! I'll be waiting.

As soon as I hang up, a plane from Yute Air lands. I debated for about 30 seconds and hopped on. I noticed the interior was held together by duct tape, but decided not to worry. I called Grant back and explained. They were less than happy. Oh well.

So, I made it safely to Bethel. My friend Segue met me and brought me dinner. It was so nice of her to bring me food. I got on a flight to Anchorage without incident (thankfully).

When I checked in at Anchorage I learned that my flight was delayed 35 minutes. Unfortunately, my layover in Phoenix was only 35 minutes long. So, I would miss my flight to Pittsburgh. At this point, I was near desperate. I told the airline clerk that I was trying to make it home for a funeral. Could they send me to another airport? Finally, they worked me onto a flight to Columbus. Honestly, that worked out the best because my grandmother was living near Columbus.

So, I arrived at Columbus's airport and was picked up by my father. First order of business, fast food. Who knew how much I would miss it? I'll post later about what it's like being home after 4 1/2 months.

What a month!

Sorry it's been so long! I received an e-mail "reminding" me that it has been a month since I last posted. It has been quite a month, that is for sure.

I have proof that I have been accepted by my community. One of my students offered to get me and some co-workers a caribou. Keep in mind that the caribou come very close to Eek. In fact, my predecessor saw some from his/my classroom window. So, as any good Alaskan will do, he took the rest of the day off, strapped on cross country skis, went out, and got one. He then strapped the caribou to the skis and walked back to town. The students are fairly certain I won't do that.


A few days later, there was a knock at my door. I go out into the (literally) -25 weather to see a caribou head on my porch. That's right, just the head. I heard a few snickers and saw my student "Billy" (who we now call the Arctic Godfather) come around the corner of my house with his snow machine. In the sled he was pulling was the rest of the caribou. It was field dressed and ready to be cut. So, we carried it into my Arctic Porch for storage.

The next morning, I was talking to one of the other teachers about what we would do. He had never cut up an animal like this, and I had all the experience with doing it one other time. So, I told him the basic premise: skin, cut, and cut some more. Then, I informed him to bring some good knives and wear clothes he didn't mind getting bloody. As I said this, one of our students walked around the corner looking amused and a bit horrified.

That night, the other teachers came over to cut it. We brought it into my kitchen and started to work. We quickly discovered that when it's -25 out and you put a caribou in a room with no heat, it freezes. So, we couldn't do anything that night. We then moved all four quarters, ribs, and neck into my laundry room to let it thaw overnight. Finally, the next morning, we got to work. Eventually, we got the whole thing cut, cleaned, and divided up.

There are some great pictures floating around of this fiasco. I have none since my camera was stolen. But, I will post them as soon as I can!

I will post more later about my Thanksgiving in Anchorage. But, until then (which I promise will be less than a month!), goodbye from Eek!