First Day in Bethel

Today I woke up in Alaska. WOW! Alaska! Now, who's been to Alaska? Ok..now who's been to the Yukon-Kuskakwim Delta Area? or Bethel?

Last night, one of the lab managers drove us around and showed us the town. I took a heap of pictures from the car and was feeling pretty good about it until I went to upload them. Unfortunatly something happened with the transfer to the computer. For some reason, I thought that they had loaded so I erased them off the camera. Zoot alors! I deleted nearly all of my photos which was a bit frustrating! I had taken some good ones too. /sigh I guess I'm just going to have to take more then!

Anyway....I start working tomorrow. I have to walk to work because I don't have a car which is fine because it gives me a chance to walk. I like walking.Today I decided to go for a bit of a walk to check out the town and take some pictures. It was raining, but that wasn't going to stop me so I got myself ready and headed down the road in my jacket and trainers.

I really like Bethel so far. While I was out walking, I was thinking about the differences and similarities that this town and my home town have in common. I know that makes no sense, but it does.

For instance, parts of NM are really flat. In this part of Alaska, it's really flat. There are few plant that grow and if they do grow, they don't get very big because of the permafrost. In NM, it's the same, but for a different reason altogether. NM is dry and arid. The mood in both places is very relaxed and the people are super nice and friendly.

Granted, there are differences between the NM and AK. The weather is probably the most obvious thing. It never really gets hot in AK. NM is pretty much hot all the time, even in the winter. The list goes on and on, but that's the one thing that stands out in my mind at this point. The weather.

For some odd reason, these observations comfort me. I feel like I'm at home except it's not 100 freaking degrees outside and dry. Here in Bethel, it's more like 50, overcast, a bit rainy and the sun never sets. I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to start working. Once I get settled, I'm going to write more.

Overall though, this whole experience has been pleasant. Now if I could just figure out to post photos to this blog, all would be well.