Just Coasting Along

I awoke (late) to a beautiful day in Mekoryuk- sunny and cold and clear. I spent the day at school, talking to kids, visitors, staff and other teachers. Lunch was peaches, burritos (with ketchup) and green beans. I kept score for a few science jeopardy games (using the new science practice test) and read some excellent student writing (click on Kale's blog link to link to his students' blogs).

I was supposed to fly out on Grant Air about 4:45. I called at 4:20 to check on routing and was told that they only had me as a passenger so they wouldn't come out for me. I called the Hageland agent and she said that the plane was 25 minutes out. I had time to get my stuff out of the freezer, put on my snowmachining clothes, and grab my bags. The principal was taking a truck of people out there anyway, so I jumped in and made it in plenty of time (thanks, Josh).

I arrived in a sunny Toksook Bay in time to shop for a Heath Bar with Kerri. I made dinner- cheese ravioli with meat sauce, oranges, biscuits and cookies and had some great conversation- everything from discipline in the classroom and student teaching experiences to summer plans.

I didn't have any fresh pictures, but these are Toksook from last time- the Washeteria (laundromat) and the weather station out near the airport. These are standard fixtures in many villages and just become part of the scenery.

About water- when I was out in Mekoryuk, there was a water shortage in the village. Residents were paying about $3 to shower in the school and students could earn shower tokens through various avenues. Here in Toksook, the electric water pump for the village had been out for a few days (like 5, I think) so there had been no running water up until yesterday. People didn't shower or wash clothes and used stored water for drinking and cooking. I didn't ask yet about toilets. As with most village toilets, the ones in the school are only flushed when absolutely unbearable. It's SOP...standard operating procedure. All I can say is, my shower tonight felt really great, but I felt pretty lucky and made it quick.

Here is a list of 10 things that feel like luxuries now that I'm mentoring that I used to consider necessities: luggage with wheels, sleeping more than 3 inches off the ground, riding in a vehicle that's enclosed, getting onto a plane that has arrived and departed when you expected it, getting to bed and getting up when you choose, sheets on the bed, eating fresh food, unpacking and putting away the suitcase, walking with my husband in the evening, and making and keeping social dates with friends.

Here is a list of perks that have become part of my life as a mentor: never being left at the airstrip without a ride, people introducing themselves and shaking hands, kids greeting me like an honored guest, kids carrying my bags, free rides between airport terminals, wild rides across the tundra on snowmachines, school lunches with kindergartners, tea breaks with the cook, lots of great pictures, a wonderful group of comrades.