akstoltzy

Arrived in Palmer yesterday afternoon. Started out at 9:00 AM with a flight from my home village of Shungnak

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Had a quick stop in Kobuk (10 Miles east of Shungnak)

View of Kobuk, AK, closest village to our east (100 population)

and then on to Kotzebue, northwest Alaska's hub city. After lunch and a few hours layover, it was on an Alaska Airlines jet for the 1:30 minute flight to Anchorage.
I was able to sit next to a former student of mine and so we signed all the way down to Anchorage. He's learned a lot of sign language since I last taught him (2007) so it was nice to see his progress. His name is Nixon (but I'm pretty sure he is a democrat!).

My former student and seatmate from Kotzebue to Anchorage

The principal at our school in Shungnak, Kitza Durkop, picked us up at the main terminal and then we drove the 45 minutes north to her House in the Mat-Su Valley. We unloaded our bags and then it was off to Kitza's friend's House for a party of which I knew two people, Kitza and Eric (the fellow teacher I am traveling with).

Teacher Party in Palmer, AK (45 min north of Anchorage)

Teachers area rowdy group that's for sure! Kitza is standing in the white sweater.

Our principal in Shungnak, Kitza (standing in white). We're crashing at her place until we leave.

Today it's Sunday and we're just kicking back. Very windy today and so staying inside due to all the glacial silt blowing in the air. Just watched the Blackhawks squeak one out against the Sharks. YES!!
I have doctor and dentist appointments Monday and Tuesday and then it's off to Vancouver on Wednesday and then China on Thursday. 12 hours in the air and so technically we arrive the next day on the 21st. China is 16 hours ahead of Alaska time and 13 ahead of CST. It will be Back To The Future when we return at the end of June as we will arrive back in Vancouver before we leave due to the time change.
I'll be posting newest entries first so if you miss a day or four, just keep scrolling.
Probably won't have many entries until Wednesday.

Trips:

Shorthand link:

Buddy List

Day 2 of China Odyssey

Palmer, United States

Heading South?