Got back last night from the culture camp. It was an experience like none other. I am incredibly blessed to have been a part of the C3 program and to have met so many AMAZING people! Words cannot not describe my experience. So I will give you some of the highlights. First we were flown in to Anchorage then the next morning we headed to Bethel for a few days. In Bethel we had orientation and got to know our peers and mentors. On our last night our professor Agatha had us over for a potluck dinner. We met her family and friends and were able to try new foods (whale and seal soup). Agatha invited us over for a steam bath and a few of us went. Now for camp:
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| On the bush plane (cessna 207) |
Day 1 (Sunday): We left Bethel and headed out to fish camp in Marshall on small planes. Once in Marshall we stopped at Nick Jr.'s house (the son of the elder running the camp) to set up the boats that we had to take to get to the camp. We cleared a spot for our tents and set up camp. It took forever to clean out the roots and brush from the area. It was pretty warm (the only really warm day of the week) probably near 70 or so. Some people went fishing and the rest of us hung out at camp. I hung out at camp where we listned to Nick Jr. and the other elders tell us what todo if we encountered a B-E-A-R. Basically you get a stick about as tall as you and hold it out in front. The idea is that the bear will not want to be injured by your stick and will turn away. I don't want to ever have to test this theory out. Then we danced with the students (We had learned some Eskimo dances at orientation thanks to Agatha). Dancing was probably one of my favorite things at camp.
Day 2 (Monday): It rained all day and was much cooler than the previous day. We did morning chores (clean up breakfast and chopped wood). While some people went fishing the rest of us took part in cutting fish. Later I got to partake in taking a boatride to pick greens for our dinner. We couldn't find much, but I enjoyed being on the boat as this was my first experience on it. I crocheted inside with the elder women (Nastasia and Virginia). The boys showed us their dancing again!
Day 3 (Tuesday): Today I stayed on the island all day. Some went fishing while the rest of us did stuff around camp. I sat in the cabin with Nastasia and Virginia and crocheted while listening to Nastasia tell us stories. Later she cut my kuspuk pattern (which I hand sewed for the rest of the week). That night half of the group went moose hunting and others played with Trevin (Mike's grandson) and the students. He was definitely full of energy and his favorite saying was "not like that."Day 4 (Wednesday): Caitlyn, Jessa, and I went with Tim to Mrshall to set up the 4 wheeler trip and to take Aisha to the clinic. Unfortunately she was really not feeling well. It didn't help that to get to the clinic she had to take boat ride and then a car ride. While she was in the clinic Caitlyn and I walked with Tim to pick up some lunch at the store. On our way we met up with Tren (Nick Jr.'s daughter) and she showed us around. When we arrived at the clinic they informed us that Aisha needed to be flown to Bethel so Tim went with her, and Tren showed us back to the boat. I was taking a nap and then Erika informed us that our tents were flooding. We drained the tarps and rearraged people to dry tent areas for the night. Later that night I went Moose hunting. This most definitely proved the stereotype that women can't focus and can't withstand the cold. My mind wandered after about the first hour and I was cold. This was about a 3 hour adventure. It was after midnight when we returned.
Day 5 (Thursday): We got up early to head into Marshall to learn to drive 4-wheelers. OMG this was so cool and I so want one!!! This took up most of the day, and then that evening the Russian Orthodox Choir from Marshall came to sing. Again some of the group went out moose hunting and the others enjoyed the beautiful sunset.
Day 6 (Friday): Last full day at camp :( Boy did it go by quick. I stayed on the island all day. In the morning we packed up stuff to send to Marshall. I finished my Kuspuk (everyone praises you when you are done). Since this was the last night the boys danced again and we joined after a while. Julia led "a turkey named Burt" which the kids loved. Lori showed us her very cool, fly dance moves later that night. She tried to teach me but I was really awful compared to her. Some of us stayed up and enjoyed the sunset for the last night. It ws a nice time to reflect on the week.
Day 7 (Saturday): Got up super early and packed up camp, in the rain. ugh. It rained all morning. We took two boats back to Marshall and on the way Mike pointed out two bears. We got back and with about 5 pick up truck loads of us and our stuff we made it to the airport. We took the planes back to Bethel and then a large plane to Anchorage. We checked into the Sheraton and were excited for our first shower!!!!
We debriefed in Anchorage for the next two days and then I headed to the airport at 4:45 Tuesday morning. What an AWESOME trip. I learned so much and I can't believe that I didn't pay anything. I met so many new friends, and by the end of the trip it seemed like we had all been friends forever. The trip was only like 12 days, but it seemed so much longer than that (in a good way though).
