I left at 4:45 am (again) for Mountain Village on the Yukon River. I arrived in St. Mary's where Bernie picked me up in a truck to continue the 26 miles to Mountain Village along a pockmarked and narrow road. He told me that once the state built the road, they never looked back at it and there has never been any work done. The two 4-wheelers that went by with passengers were leaning away from the wind and the riders were covered up except for their eyes. Bernie had attended the Jesuit boarding school in St. Mary's, but his kids went to Mountain Village School.
The Yukon River is wide, cold and frozen right now. Bernie told me that villagers have fish camps all up and down it where they go in the summer, but in the winter, they run fish traps (for emmonak), fish nets and they jig for pike. There is good hunting here too- mostly caribou.
The temperatures weren't too cold (20) but the wind really froze skin. Note the low sun for 10:30 am.
I'm staying with Jean and Raphia (Filipinas) in school district teacher housing. Since the district office is here, there are lots of apartments for staff. Jean and Raphia have been very gracious, giving me their spare room and encouraging me to eat! I brought my own food, but managed also to consume some rice noodles and Halloween candy.We have had a few laughs and every night we play Sequence. They are addicted, but were gracious when my beginner's luck allowed me to win.
I finally got out during daylight to walk to the river and the stores. Mountain Village has two- the A.C. and ANICA, the Native store. If you were wealthy, you would never have to order food. I even found soy milk there as well as Christmas decorations, electronics and warm clothes.
Mountain Village Mall- a one-stop shop.
The shelves sported an amazing array of choices, but the prices are high.
My work has been mostly in the K-12 school. I've visited 5 classrooms and have enjoyed meeting the kids. They are like kids everywhere- busy, funny and curious. I've had school lunch both days- both days having beef stew and canned fruit. I'd weigh a ton if I stayed here too long.
I'll be flying to Russian Mission tomorrow on a chartered plane. The district has its own plane, but there is also lots of demand. My plans are to come back here on Friday and go back to Fairbanks on Saturday. It's been windy and cold, but just a trace of snow. Cross your fingers.
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