Catching Up...








 The first problem occurred when I got to Minneapolis.  My suitcase split open during the drive!  There was a gaping hole along the seam near the zipper that ran over half the length of the suitcase.  When I finally got my bags into the airport and carried my bags up to the counter, the first bag was 54 pounds... oops it was only supposed to be 50.  The second was only 47 pounds, so they did not charge me the extra $75.  As I tried to pass through security, they scolded me to go more quickly, but I couldn't!  I just had too much stuff! Once I got onto the plane, I had to push, grunt, and shove to get my bag into the overhead compartment, but my light bulbs survived! 
The view from the plane was breathtaking.  I took pictures as we entered Canada...over the Rockies...and of the glaciers flowing off the mountains.  Each picture was more amazing.
I flew Sun Country and when I arrived in Anchorage the terminal was on the other side of the airport from where I needed to be.  I decided that I was tough enough to lug my 2 huge suitcases, duffle bag, backpack, and purse through the halls.  I had to stop about five times to take a breather because I was sweating!   
A shorter version of the craziness in Anchorage:  I knew that I needed to find Walmart because they have a "bush mail" check out, but first I needed to get internet to get directions and stuff.  Well, it turns out Starbuck's in AK don't have wireless internet...so it took a few hours.  Then I finally got all of my stuff (groceries, vaccuum, etc) after 2 hours of shopping and asked for the bush mail check out (they package and send everything out for you) Well, it turns out that I went to the wrong Walmart.  The OTHER Walmart was the one with the bushmail check out, so I bought it all, then brought it to the other Walmart, returned it and dropped in off at the bushmail area.
I made it into Kotz with no problems (I did cut it a little close at the Anchorage airport).  There I met Alision (the other 5/6 teacher in Noatak) and Art (the district HR dude).  It was nice to have people there.  Art took us to meet the Noatak principal and to have breakfast at the district.  Alision and I waited at the airport for a couple of hours.  She caught me up on the ways of the village life a little more.
When it was time to go the pilot comes into the room and yells, "everyone for Noatak and Kivalina."  We got into the plane and he turns around, "so, do you want to go to Kivalina or Noatak first?"  We chose Kivalina, just to see it.
In Noatak, two of the HS teachers picked us up at the airstrip.  We loaded up our luggage and Alision hopped on the 4-wheeler with Lori.  I still had me huge backpack on, and I stepped up to get on John's Honda...and fell straight back on my back!  All the way on the gravel....in front of everyone!


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