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| Steam and fog hovering over the ice on the day I left for NY! |
Long story short, my two weeks back in NY were quite certainly the best of my life. I will undoubtedly finish out my time in Nome, but my vacation gave me a better understanding and appreciation for exactly where the heart is.
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| My first view of NY from the plane - it's GREEN! |
Things I now fully appreciate about NY:
One word – LIFE! The mild NY winter left green grass, ferns, and even a patch of parsley still growing in my parent’s garden. Beautiful, precious, evidence of life! The trees may not have had leaves, but viewing a tree line took my breath away. Seeing leaves on the ground gave me an endorphin rush. I quite literally hugged a tree, and it felt great.
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| My bro and his dog Kali, out for a hike! |
Family, old friends, and my honey – There’s nothing quite like being around people that have known and loved you for years, and will love you in the years to come. I was surrounded by more love than I probably deserve, and it felt indescribably good.
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| The first deli I've been to in 5 months(!), with the honey |
Cheap and available goods and services – I indulged in multiple grocery store shopping sprees, and was sure the cashier had forgotten to ring up items each time I went through the check-out line. I filled up my gas tank twice, and the total of both fill-ups was still considerably cheaper than a half-tank fill in my truck in Nome. Dining out was absurdly affordable, and of the highest quality. The money I put towards a fancy steak dinner for two wouldn’t even cover the cost of a poorly prepared pizza in Nome. I felt like I could buy anything and everything! To all the occupiers; I got a taste of what it feels like to be in the 1%, and I’m not going to lie, it felt great!
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| Gas, more than $2 cheaper per gallon than in Nome |
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| A full tank for $33?! |
Familiarity – I delighted in my favorite meals and traditions (Christmas morning just wouldn’t be the same without waffles!). I relished being in a familiar environment; sleeping a few nights in my childhood bedroom, pawing through my parents’ generously stocked refrigerator, and taking walks around my old neighborhood. Driving past my old apartment in Troy caused a few painful pangs, but otherwise it was utter bliss.
Freedom – I got a taste of what it was like to be 16 again, just having earned my driver’s license. Ah, to be free! Never again will I take for granted being able to drive to a neighboring town or state. It blew my mind that I could drive to Vermont and back again. I could just do it. And I didn’t have to plug my vehicle in whenever it was not in operation, I didn’t need to dig it out of massive snow drifts, I didn’t need to let it run at least 15 minutes before going anywhere, I didn’t need to pour hot water over the doors to open them, and I didn’t need to drive well below the speed limit to maintain traction with the icy roads. I didn’t even have to scrape a windshield for goodness sake. If I had wanted to I could’ve driven to Alaska! Although I couldn’t have actually driven to Nome.
Daylight and morning sunshine – Having gotten used to the hours of darkness in Alaska gradually, I was joyfully awakened by the glorious sun on my first morning back home, and each morning thereafter. I kept looking at the clock in confused excitement when I woke up to sunlight. I now understand the term “sun worshiper”, and have joined their ranks. Upon my return to Nome the lack of daylight has hit me surprisingly hard. After two weeks of sunshine it was noticeably and significantly challenging to return to life in the dark.
Mail delivered right to your house – I never thought I would be grateful for a mailbox, but after having to brave the trek to the post office each time I want to check my mail I look forward to having a mailman again. Vehicles are always double and triple parked outside of the post office, as most of Nome’s 3,500 residents must check their PO box on a regular basis. It is undoubtedly the most dangerous place to drive in all of Nome. When I get one again, I think I may bake my delivering postal worker some cookies.
For my own sanity, I have also compiled a list of things I genuinely appreciate about Nome:
“Easy” driving – Options are limited to a few square miles, so I can get anywhere I need (or am able) to go within minutes and without a map or GPS. I don’t have to worry about being cut-off or tailgated, road rage, or heavy traffic. I don’t need to remember how to navigate a traffic circle, obey a stoplight, or merge onto a highway. Except for a few stop signs (many of which are considered optional) the rules of the road are simple in Nome.
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| I do not miss any of this driving craziness! |
New friends – I am forever indebted to the friends I have made in Nome. I was welcomed back with open arms, and extended helping hands to make my transition back more manageable. As there are only three jet flights into Nome each day (known as the 151, 152, and 153) it was obvious when my plane from Anchorage arrived. It wasn’t minutes after I returned back to my apartment that my closest friend in Nome came running over in the -30 degree cold to tell me just how glad he was that I was back and to give me one of his world renowned hugs. There is nothing in the world as valuable as a true friend.
Simplicity – There’s something to be said about having limited choices in purchases, pals, and planned activities. There isn’t the same degree of materialism and excess in Nome, and being home made me realize just how many things in most people’s daily lives are just plain unnecessary. Without meaning to sound judgmental, I’ve also realized that the things folks tend to complain about in NY are downright trivial. Live simply, and make the best of what you’re given or have earned. It’s odd; never have I had so little, facing so many challenges, but it’s always on my mind just how very fortunate I am. When it comes right down to it, I am one lucky gal.
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| An example of holiday excess...love the green grass though! |
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| A fuel fill up in my apartment providing heat and hot running water! Luxury! |
Beautiful skies – The crisp cold may be bitter (we’re consistently setting records for the coldest days in history), but it provides breathtakingly clear night skies with an uncountable number of stars. I am treated to a sunrise and sunset each day, albeit with only a few hours in between. If you can steel yourself against the weather, it’s always a good time to stop and admire the magnificence of the sky.
