Gambell, Alaska--gravel

Hello Everyone, I am back. I've had a lot of people ask me what is the environment like in Gambell Alaska. Well, the village of Gambell was placed on a very rocky/pebbly site. I originally thought the gravel had been brought in by truck load, but I was informed that this is the natural environment. The rocks, or gravel, is very deep and it does make it difficult to walk. In fact, one night my room mate actually twisted her ankle after she tripped on a high spot in the rocks. She has been on crutches for two weeks. Just walking in the gravel is tough enough, but trying to use crutches was impossible. So, my room mate gets picked up every morning by a Honda four-wheeler and she rides to school.

The main road. The building being built will be a new church.

 This a picture of the main "road". It goes from the front door of the school, down to the other end of the village. The road is easier to walk on since many 4 wheelers have pounded the gravel down. Still, it is about a half a mile (or longer) to the other end of the road.

This is the front of the school

I know just talking about the gravel really doesn't do it justice, so I took a video to give you a better look.

Reading buddies!

My fourth graders have become reading buddies with the Kindergarten and first grade students. It is amazing that some of my lower students are enjoying reading to the younger students. It shows them some success, and they revel in it!

Happy Birthday to me!

Look at my beautiful cake!!

Well, I can honestly tell you that I was feeling pretty low that i was going to spend my birthday alone. I felt that it was just another day. Well, my room mate found out when it was my birthday, and between her and our neighboring teacher, Lani, they were not going to let it pass without a party. Invitations were sent out by email inviting the entire staff for a chili dinner, cake, and games time. Most everyone came and it really was very nice!  The girls made two huge pots of chili, a pan of yummy corn bread, and baked a 4 layer cake. Well, this wasn't just some ordinary cake, they wanted to make it special. To amp it up, they added food coloring to each layer and it became a technicolor masterpiece!

We even had ice cream! 

There was even ice cream!  You wouldn't think that would be a big deal, but getting ice cream shipped her without melting is quite a feat in any season besides winter!  Be warned, however, that a gallon bucket of ice cream will run you $20!!

The Chili was delicious!

In addition to chili and cornbread, guests brought other nom noms. There were salmon potstickers, feta dip, home made crackers, chips, pretzels, and other yummy treats!

 I even was given an Eskimo Yo-yo!  It is pretty neat!  It is made from seal fur, fabric, beading, cords, and a small piece of Ivory. The trick is to hold the piece of ivory and spin one of the balls in one direction. Then, you toss the other ball in the other direction and they spin. It kind of reminds me of the old plastic clackers we had growing up!

All in all, it was very sweet that everyone came to spend the evening!  After the food, a large group of us played a card game entitled, cards against humanity. Interesting game...


More later!

My school is very nice!  Everyone here is fantastic and the rooms are more than adequate. My classroom is pretty big. I even have my own sink and plenty of storage!

View of door way

desks in a row

View of front of room

view from door

Brand new box of crayons!  woo hoo!

Beginning of Word wall. I know it is crooked, but it still works. :-)

Many villagers are well known ivory carvers. Some of things I have seen here are really nice!  The school has a glass case in the front area of the school that show cases some donated pieces. Here are a few pics. :-)

carved Walrus tusks

Ivory carved owls. A sweet elder makes these.

Dolls. The one on the left is made from Seal fur, ivory, baleen, and other things. Great detail!

More carved ivory

Gambell can be right beautiful at times. This was a sunset the other morning. :-)

Ok, anyone for reindeer meat? I found this in the store. 

It turned out pretty yummy!

Well, I will post more later. I just thought you would like to have a glimpse of my life in Gambell. 

If you want to send any care packages, hint hint, I can get mail at P.O. Box 38, Gambell, AK 99742. Love you all, I will post again soon. On Friday afternoon, the school has Native Alaskan Dancing and Drumming. I will try to get some video. :-)

A look into Gambell

Hello everyone. I am sorry this post has come much later than I had hoped to post. The internet here is a bit slow, and this makes it difficult to upload pictures. I arrived into Gambell after a bit of a fiasco. I originally was scheduled to fly into Anchorage, stay over night at a hotel, and fly out in the morning to Nome, and then on to Gambell. However, due to a delay with the morning shuttle, I arrived to the gate to drop off my luggage 35 minutes before the flight. Well, Alaska Airlines has a policy that your bags must be checked in prior to 40 minutes before the flight. No exceptions!  I was really upset!  Crying and totally lost, I tried to phone my HR rep. to let her know there was no way I was going to make it to Gambell on Tuesday, the day before school started. After many phone calls, I took a later flight into Nome, and I had to wait till morning to fly into Gambell. I stayed at a small bed and breakfast run by an older scandinavian couple. It was very nice and they were extremely accommodating. In the morning, I arrived early at the Nome airport nervous, and anxious. I knew that I was going to be arriving in Gambell on the first day of school, late!  The small, prop plane finally lifted off and after a quick stop in Savoonga, another small village found on St. Lawrence Island, I finally saw Gambell for the first time.

This is my first view of the Village of Gambell

A closer view of Gambell

I arrived without much fanfare and a four-wheeler, or a Honda as the locals call all four wheelers, lugged me to the school.I arrived at the school at around 10:30 am. After quick introductions, the principal gave me the key to my apartment and I left to put my things into my room and to change my clothes. I quickly dressed, and ran back to the school.  Here are a few pictures of my apartment and the view. Overall, my place is pretty nice!  I pay less than $400 per month, and that includes all electric and water/sewer.  We are supposed to be having internet and Dish TV installed soon!  I sure hope so!!!

The living room

Bathroom

Kitchen

View from my from porch

Left view from my porch onto Lake

More later :-)