Conversations in Alaska

“Boss,” Conversations in Alaska: 33 of 50

September 7, 2016September 9, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I will offer the surgeon general warning that this post was difficult to write. It will not be easy to read. I want to share it to honor the bravery of my boss, who is[…]

Sandy, Conversations in Alaska 34 of 50

September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I wade over to Gravina Island on the shortest ferry ride of all time (one minute). I get to the airport, pay at the toll booth, and park. This is at the end of a[…]

Peridot Sally, Conversations in Alaska 35 of 50

September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I was stationed at Tongass with the flag. Someone gets put at Tongass with the flag when there is a ship on 2 and a ship on 3, and we are loading at 3. When[…]

Leg Hair on Dude Mountain | Conversations in Alaska, 27 of 50

September 5, 2016September 10, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

As we were walking down Dude Mountain (Ria, Chaz and I), dodging the muddy tracks and trying not to fall on our faces (principally me), Ria shared: “I used to feel self-conscious about my leg[…]

Conversations in Alaska: The Pot Shop, 36 of 50

August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I helped my friend straighten out the Tibetan Prayer Flag on his deck. It’s extremely windy here, and rainy, and he lives on top of a tunnel where there’s probably a serious updraft. If that’s[…]

Conversations in Alaska: “There should only be Tsimshian People in this line” 37 of 50

August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I stood in the unrelenting sunlight all day to load passengers to to go Annette Island. About 1,400 people live on Annette Island and every year they celebrate Founder’s Day (they were founded in 1887). It’s[…]

“Well That Was Very Rude” Conversations in Alaska, 38 of 50

August 24, 2016August 24, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I am standing on Dock 2, the one where everyone gets scrunched between the ship and the dock. There is one small lane for the buses to drive through (to get to Dock One, or[…]

Conversations in Alaska: Waiting for our Pee Test: “It’s changed so much, it makes me sad” 39 of 50

August 20, 2016August 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

John and I saw each other in the lobby. We met during training but haven’t really talked since. He is a naturalist with our company. We won the lottery for drug testing (plus two more[…]

Conversations in Alaska: “I have no desire to be famous” 40 of 50

August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

My (new) Ketchikan friend and I did a play together (in July, last month). She is pretty and has long red curly hair (I think it’s naturally brown, but I digress). The first thing that[…]

Conversations in Alaska: “I wish I could snag” 41 of 50

August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I pass street kids milling about with their fishing poles, unironically, all season long on my walk to work. I see the same handful of them coming into my apartment in the alley. I’ve never met them,[…]