I have learned a LOT about living here and I love it here! But, it has taken awhile to learn the ways of the Alaskan life.
What is a "Cheechako" you may ask?
Urban Dictionary defines it as: A new-comer to Alaska, ignorant of the terrain, the weather, the animals, the culture, the necessary driving skills in the winter. (opposite of the word "sourdough" which is a veteran Alaskan)
I have complied a list of 20 Alaskan lessons learned from a born and raised Texan (lived there for 23 years). These include new vocabulary that Alaskans use as well as the lifestyle... here we go.
1. A "snow skirt" = a waterproof, warm skirt typically worn over pants just to keep you nice and toasty in Alaska (point being if you are going outside you don't need to change all the time, just throw it on). Another included lesson: Fashion is NOT a priority in Alaska. Being warm is. I have found myself wanting this skirt. Don't judge. It's cold here.
2. Learning how to drive in Alaskan winters. Necessary items: snow or studded tires, four wheel drive. Also, an understanding of what a "round a bout" is and how to drive in one.
3. Best shoes for Alaska:
Bogs Sorels Xtra Tufs
Bogs: www.bogsfootwear.com
Sorels: www.sorel.com
Xtra Tufs: www.xtratufboots.com
4. You can only get to the capital city of Alaska, Juneau, by boat or plane.
5. "Bush Alaska" = a term Alaskans use to to generally describe regions of the state not connected to the road system or that have access to the ferry system (the majority of of the Alaska Native population live in Bush Alaska). Examples include: Barrow, Nome, King Salmon, Dillingham, Kotzebue
6. "Lower 48" = a term Alaskans use to describe the 48 contiguous states (not including Alaska and Hawaii)
7. Salmon can survive in freshwater and in the ocean. They also can swim upstream. And you better be ready to catch some if you live up here :)
8. There are lots of microbreweries in Alaska that are amazing. Love the beer here.
9. "Dip netting" = a kind of fishing that only Alaskan residents can partake in where a hand net or scoop net is held open by a hoop and is used to scoop fish near the surface of the water.
10. "Break up"= a term Alaskans use to describe the spring season, when the ice and snow are breaking up. It is the nastiest of seasons, lots of dirty snow everywhere...
11. Alaskans say "snow machine" not "snow mobile".
12. In Alaska, school only gets cancelled for icy road conditions, not snow. (Snow pretty much always meant no school for this Texan)
13. You can see reindeer in Alaska! Reindeer are also yummy to eat as sausage or reindeer dogs. In the summer, there are reindeer dog stands all over downtown Anchorage. This last Christmas Eve, Tony and I ate ale cheese soup with reindeer sausage. Ironic. Sorry, Rudolph.
14. "Heli Skiing" = off trail, downhill skiing that can only be accessed by a helicopter.
15. There is a town called North Pole, Alaska. There is a Santa Claus house and each year, the town receives hundreds of letters addressed to Santa Claus. There are also Christmas- themed streets.
16. "PFDS" = Permanent Fund Dividend. It is a divided paid to Alaskan residents who have lived in the state for a full calendar year and intend to remain a resident indefinitely. The money comes from oil revenue from the state and is given to all residents who apply every October. The lowest amount ever given was $330 and the highest amount was $2,000. Read more here: https://pfd.alaska.gov/
17. "Snowshoeing" = footwear you can use for walking over snow that helps to distribute your weight more evenly and allow you to hike in super deep snow.
18. The difference between cross country and downhill skiing. And I love both.
19. "Iditarod" = a long distance sled dog race that happens in early March and goes from Anchorage, Alaska to Nome, Alaska, included in this lesson is also the term "skijoring" = where a person on skis is pulled by a dog and the term "musher" = the athlete directing the dog or team of dogs
Sled Dog Racing Skijoring
20. And lastly: The Mexican food here is not so great. I once ordered queso and was asked, "What's that?". There are no Chick Fil As. Noone here knows what a kolache is. Shame. BUT on the other hand: the seafood is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. KING CRAB, Salmon, Halibut. So good. Had to trade in my good ol' Texan love for Mexican food and Barbeque for the amazing fresh seafood. But, it's a good trade :)
So there you go. My top 20 lessons from living here in Alaska. Hopefully, I am moving from a "Cheechako" to a "Sourdough". I do love the outdoors. I believe Alaska to be one of the most beautiful places on earth and I feel lucky to live in this crazy, kind of weird but breathtaking state. I love being able to go hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. And I still have so much more to explore.
Happy 2014!
