Leaving – Page 4

Flying Blind: The Night Before Peace Corps

September 26, 2016 First Person ForeignChanges

WHAT THE HECK BOBBY. Tomorrow I am going to Peace Corps? I got a Medical Clearance Message Reminder email, a separate email about Menstruation. I got another with the itinerary for Houston (we are there[…]

Song & Storytelling: The Events Before I Go

September 26, 2016September 26, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

Act One: Five days before I flew away, Laura and I performed The Last Five Years. It took five minutes and a handshake to reserve the Arctic Bar patio. Tom Thompson donated the equipment. Brooke[…]

The Man from Eagle River, Conversations in Alaska | 2 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

On my flight returning from Ketchikan to Alaska on September 19, I am asked: “So where’s home?” A very kind gentleman asked from seat 22C. We had a seat between us, which he commented was[…]

Drumming in Zimbabwe, Conversations in Alaska | 3 of 50

September 23, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

A fella greeted me from behind the counter. He said “I can’t run the register but I can go ahead and make your food. What are you getting?” I don’t eat out much in Ketchikan[…]

Roots and Seasonals, The Great Dichotomy Conversations in Alaska 7 of 50

September 20, 2016September 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

“I’m not a typical seasonal.” I tell Jack. He is a local who moved here from New York three years ago. He spent his first winter here last year. Originally from Wisconsin, my theory is that[…]

The Scrambled Departure: Leaving the Rainforest

September 19, 2016September 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

Yesterday: Dude. I just got hit by a mack truck called Alaska. It’s none of the things you might visualize. I wasn’t even crossing the street. I crossed the Tongass Narrows on a 1.25 minute ferry[…]

“September is breaking my heart!”: Conversations in Alaska, 8 of 50

September 19, 2016September 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

September 1st rolled around and you could feel it in the air: realization, regret. It’s winding down and the excursions you hoped to take, the hike you were supposed to do and the post you[…]

“If you’re going to be in Madison..” Conversations in Alaska, 6 of 50

September 19, 2016September 20, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

First there is the September Regret, when you realize you can’t do everything you wanted and maybe you just started doing some things you just learned you really should have done all along! And the[…]

2nd Intro Peace Corps Phone Call | Conversations in Alaska, 12 of 50

September 18, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

“What is one thing you wish you’d done before you left the States?” “Honestly, this might sound a little odd but I wish I’d taken a bath. That’s a luxury I miss.” “I couldn’t get[…]

“This place is a vortex” Conversations in Alaska, 14 of 50

September 18, 2016September 18, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

There’s a kid who works at the Doughnut shop/catch-all kiosk in the center of Salmon Landing, first floor. I think he’s there in the afternoons, as I scoot by with a cart full of salmonberry[…]