Fam, we are not in NY anymore...Day One

Today marks the first full week I have been here in Sitka Alaska and what a week it has been. It all started Tuesday, August 14th 2018 when I packed up my life and flew across the country to Seattle, where I had possibly the worlds best cup of Starbucks coffee, and my last, for a layover before I ended my one way journey in Sitka, Alaska. The plane ride from Seattle to Sitka was an odd one. It was like being a part of a High School reunion that I was invited to, but never went to that high school. The plane was full of old people giving accounts of Alaskan journeys and how wonderful it was to run into their sisters kids nephews son 10,000 feet above Canada. On the plane I sat next to an old couple who this was also going to be their first time in Alaska, so it was a first for the whole row. The flight was the most scenic flight I have ever been on. Islands and mountains were below the whole flight and when the plane approached Sitka, I thought we were going to land in the water. When we did land, I had the option of getting off on the tarmac or the gangway, I just happened to be closer to the gangway where I walked, alone, with my bag and backpack into the one building, one baggage claim airport and then preceded to drag all of my baggage off of baggage claim belt. This was also done with a lot of people watching me just casually make a pile of bags in the corner. After hauling all my bags, which thankfully made it to Alaska, I was tasked with the job of finding the AmeriCorps person picking me up….not going to lie I half expected someone waiting in the airport for me with a sign with my name on it. But that was not the case, instead I tried and failed to stack up my luggage, and get it out to the AmeriCorps van where I was greeted with the line of “you have a lot of shit” from this kid who was a former AmeriCorps member. Not going to lie I was kinda put off. Sorry bro, I tried to ship things so I did not have to buy bedding and sheets and bathroom things the hour I got here. And then there I was justifying to this stranger on what I brought to the middle of nowhere island of Sitka. I was then driven through town(which consisted of one traffic circle, one main light and one road in and one road to the other end of the island) to the Shelikov house to meet some of the new people. There I got to meet Julia and Leah, who are also new this year. Peter, the kid who said I had too much shit, left and I hung out at the Shelikov house until someone was home in Verstovia to let me in. Since I had nothing to do, and had not had a full meal since dinner the night before I left NY, I decided to go to the supermarket to get food. I walked. Walking is a big thing here since it is hard to bike in the rain and I do not have a car here. On average I find myself walking 6 miles a day. Sea Mart is one of 2 supermarkets here, and in Sea Mart, everything is sold in bulk, so I was honestly forced to but enough peanut butter for the next 2 months, but am I complaining,……no. Sea Mart is an experience, its kinda like Costco, but much smaller, more expensive and everyone smells like fish. After the supermarket adventure, I walked back to the house,went to

Verstovia and then proceeded to unpack all of my stuff and plan outfits for the week, which is kinda hard considering the weather here and that I need to be in work attire everyday. Tomorrow I am meeting Sarah, my supervisor, at the High School where I am working. Let's all hope the rain is minimal.

Have a great day fam,

Ashley