The people we meet

Fact: On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official declaration which made Alaska the 49th state.

The formal transfer of the Territory was made at Sitka on October 18, 1867. The purchase price was $7,200,000.00.  For the mathematically challenged, like me, that breaks down to TWO CENTS an acre. Talk about black Friday sales!

Also, as a side note, there are people reading this blog who were not only alive when Alaska (and later that year Hawaii) became a state, but they probably remember it. It wasn't that long ago folks!

Fact: The land mass that is Alaska makes up over 20% of the United States territory.

That’s kind of like those “yo-mama” jokes you used to hear when you were in grade school. ‘Well, Alaska’s so big it has its own time zone’… oh, burn. –My infinite nerdiness never ceases.

Fact: Alaska's flag was designed in 1926 by a 13-year-old Native American boy, Bennie Benson, from the village of Chignik.

            Take that Betsy Ross.

So enough of the History lesson for today; experiences speak louder than words. I have already told you all about how amazingly friendly and trusting everyone is but some people are out right characters.  For example: last night we went to watch the SEC win for the 5^th year in a row at a BCS championship and met some local fishermen. We all started talking and I expressed how very upset I was at the unavailability of fresh fish on the island. It’s an Island for crying out loud and everyone here are fisher-people. They explained that to make a profit they have to sell it to the big-wig companies and not locally. So, the only way to get fresh fish is to go down to the dock and get it from a friend. – Great. So, I guess I’ll line up with the seagulls on the docks and bob up and down going “mine,mine” like from Finding Nemo.

Halftime rolled around and we decided to head to another venue. At the start of 3^rd quarter our new fisher-friend walked in the door and approached us smiling. He had gone home and gotten some of the smoked salmon he made the day before and said he would sell it to us for a deal. It looked amazing so we bought it and thanked him very kindly. I have no clue what fish goes for on the docks so I’m not sure what constitutes a ‘good deal’ but the price fit us fine. We asked how we would find him the next time we wanted more fish. He explained he would find us. I suddenly had the urge to hide the fish in my coat and keep walking nonchalantly.

Our server had observed the transaction and laughed with us when I told her I felt like I bought an illegal substance. She told us a story about men walking up to her with backpacks full of shrimp to sell but acting like they were selling Rolexes on the black market. Characters.  I guess if the black market around here consists of fresh fish, I’m not overly worried.

                        For the record though, the fish was fantastic and I hope he finds us again soon!

Fun times! You can’t meet a stranger here. Everyone wants to talk to you and help you out somehow. They’re all very interested to hear that we are from Arkansas. One man even knew someone who’s daughter’s first husband’s uncle used to live in Arkansas… or Arizona, he couldn’t ever keep them straight.

Love to you all,

S/A