I’ve been in Kotzebue (pronounced “Cots-ay-byoo”) for six days now. I’ve figured out most of the roads, hiked around outside of town, and met the NPS team. I am still adjusting to the bright twilight, the expensive food, and all the barking village dogs, but I’m excited to be here!
Kotzebue is a more accessible place than most Arctic villages, so it’s common for visitors to filter in this time of year. Even though Kotzebue is a relatively large Arctic village, the small town vibes are strong. Everyone knows everyone, so they’re probably confused about who I am and what I’m doing here. Curious looks made me feel like a bit of an outsider at first, but after a couple days of smiling and greeting people as I walk down the street, people have returned my warm greetings and I’m feeling a lot more confident. I remember the same worries occurring in the first few days of my trip abroad a few summers ago; I think it’s just a result of being in a brand new place. You feel that a spotlight is on you, highlighting how lost you are, then you get your bearings, form a more solid routine, and learn how to correctly dress for the weather.
The residents I’ve been able to talk with so far are welcoming and helpful, which is encouraging! Google Maps data is either inaccurate or nonexistent, so I’ve been very dependent on local directions. I’m also learning quickly about Iñupiaq culture and language (pronounced “ee-nyoop-ee-ak,” but when some say it fast it can kinda sound like “in-you-pack”). I even observed some people ice fishing for sii fish (pronounced “she fish”), although the Kotzebue Sound is slowly melting away for the summer. It’s still hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit here, but the sun is up almost 24/7, so it can feel warm.
Most people in Kotzebue are Alaska Native. There are many different communities of Alaska Natives in this state, but the dominant community in this area is Iñupiaq (also can be written as Inupiaq). If you’re curious about where other communities are in Alaska, I found this map to be very helpful.
I’ve only been here a short time, but I already know that this is a unique and cool place to spend the summer!
Things I’ve Learned
I think a lot about how people change. It’s usually obvious that a change occurred when you compare the “then” to the “now,” but often it’s less obvious how that change came about. I decided having a section like this in my blog posts might bring more awareness to the daily things I’m learning, whether it’s about my work or myself. This section is more for me to look back at the little experiences I might’ve forgotten about.
If it’s summer, I need an herb garden no matter where I am
This is a little silly, but it means a lot to me! For the past couple summers, I’ve worked hard to keep up a small garden wherever I was living. If I was lucky, I had veggies and herbs in a big box, but last summer I had to keep them in individual pots. It limited what I could grow, but I still kept several of my favorite herbs and a nice tomato plant. When I moved here, I didn’t think that having a summer garden would be as accessible. But when I asked my manager about it, she offered a few pots for me to borrow! After a quick trip to the hardware store, I’m ready to plant basil, parsley, and mint. Even though these plants are small and simple, I am so excited that I can still do one of my favorite summer hobbies.
Adapting takes time
Obviously, duh. But my first few days here, I was frustrated that I didn’t have all the solutions. I was annoyed that my grocery bill was so high, that I got lost several times in a small place, and that I didn’t know anyone. I needed to actively remind myself that it’s okay to know nothing about a place I’ve never been and that I need more time to figure it out. In the meantime, I should keep positive and keep trying new things. This simple reminder has made all the difference! If you’re moving to a new place soon, keep this in mind.
A smile has a lot of worth
Like I said earlier, I didn’t feel comfortable my first few days here until I started smiling and greeting others on the street. Maybe if you’re moving to New York City you shouldn’t try to do that, but I still believe that having a smile on your face will have a positive impact. When things are awkward it’s easy to blow that up, take too much responsibility for it, and feel terrible. But we’re human beings, we’re naturally awkward! If you respond positively to that awkwardness, others will reciprocate that and be positive, too.