Random thoughts+pics

-Peter, the Russian guy (I think) was telling me in all seriousness that I shouldn't travel without a gun. His sisters do it all the time, apparently, so because I am also a girl I should carry a gun too.

-You know those yoghurt in a tube snack things they have in Australia? Well over here they have something called 'Fizzgurt' or equally stupid, and what it is, is 'fizzy yoghurt in a tube'. I haven't tried them because it's a waste to buy a pack of 6 for like $6 and then only eat half of one. Needless to say I bet they taste gross.

-On the topic of weird food, I was in the cracker aisle of the supermarket today (how appropriate?) and I saw their selection of rice cakes. In Australia we have maybe, 4 or 5 flavours. They have stacks-including ones like 'peanut butter choc chip' flavour. I bought some of the pple cinnamon ones. Very interesting-like all other grain products, they are laquered in sugar.

-Have I already talked about the rednecks in the van going down to Homer with me? Saying how they like rabbit stew (fair enough) but then saying they also enjoy eating squirrel...at least the driver had a sense of humour and made light of the conversation by interjecting 'They all taste like bald eagle to me...'

-The sand on the beaches here in Homer is black. Something to do with glacial silt or the 4 volcanoes scattered around the bay, I think. Either way it's pretty cool. And I'm not sure if it's just here or all over but the driftwood here isn't just the odd stick or whatever, it's a beach littered with what looks like old telegraph poles and tree trunks!

-The chance of seeing the Northern Lights in winter at Fairbanks is 80% if you are there for 3 days. I'm there from the 15th of Dec until around the 27th of Dec. Freaking awesome.

Another thing that is awesome-I have managed to get some pics up!!!


Nuff said. This is in Homer.


View from my window, Homer. Too bad I took this too late and the clouds had already rolled in. Still a nice view though.


Did somebody call Mr Plow?

More to come!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
-Lish

*as promised, here is that 'more'*

-There are these ads up here, for a place called 'Mattress Ranch'. It's a local business and the owner feels the need to make his own commercials, starring only himself. This isn't the actual ad that's on now but it's practically the same. In the new one he looks a bit older but he still wears the Spongebob Squarepants tie and dances around like a fool lip synching and holding a wad of cash (savings from buying his mattress from the mattress ranch, one infers). Apparently he just came out from a stint in jail for molesting kiddies. The creepiest part is, he has ads where he is dancing around with kids and stuff. Only in Alaska.


-Alcohol is unbelievably cheap, even up here...no wonder everybody gets drunk all the time. But I was in a bar and they didn't even have LEMONADE on their soft drink hose thingy. I couldn't believe it! They didn't have Blue Curacao, either. But they do have this stuff called Disaronni or something. Man it's good...


Sunrise. The sun actually rises at a respectble hour here. This shot wouldn't have been too long after 9.30am I think.

Hoooooooomer

Just checking in quickly from the quaint little town of Homer. I'm sure it's a very beautiful view outside but right now it's dark and rainy.
I've been told that my posts are too depressing!!! So I will try to make this one more cheerful.
Anchorage actually has been fun the last few days, bar the obvious theft and the running about with the police and insurance companies that followed (and is still going on).
Went out and played pool with some of the people from the hostel, so that was good. It snowed *briefly* last night too so I got to run about like a fool in it. Also bought Ben & Jerry's 'Half Baked' flavour ice cream. oooooooooh man it is the BEST tasting ice cream I have ever had!

The drive down to Homer was stunning. Absolutely. Snow capped mountains that rose straight from the roadside, the water for the most part was directly on the other side (Cook Inlet/Turnagain Arm). Chunks of ice in the water and on the beach from where the wter is freezing up. On the side of the road the rock faces had icicles and sheets of ice hanging off them from where the mountain run-off has frozen. Spectacular. A bit further inland going through the pass there were countless spruce trees (the tree that the commonly seen fake/plastic Christmas tree is modelled on) that had been dusted with snow. It was so picture perfect.
Then there were people in the back of the van talking about how squirrel tastes just like rabbit. I was on 'moose watch' up in the front seat-but we didn't see any (thankfully so, because chances are when you see a moose it's just as it's stepping out onto the road and into your car's path).
It snowed a bit (kind of like a mix of rain, sleet, tiny hail, and snow) on the way up so I got out and stood around in it. Was pretty cold and wet, actually. Looked very pretty from inside the van though.

A lot of people have been badgering me to put more photos up-CALM DOWN. Right now I don't have the memory card reader or cables and even if I did the computers I get access to (dirty dirty communal things) don't accept USB devices. I'm having enough trouble finding a computer that will print out my travel insurance forms for me. BUT I am taking photos whenever I can, so when I finally do get a chance I will update here. I'm low on funds so I probably won't be able to get another laptop for a fortnight or so at least (disappointing, because I will be back from Fairbanks from then and it would have been cool to put any borealis pics up soon after I take them).

The rain is supposed to stay here until Tuesday (I leave on Monday) but hopefully it's not too bad to stop me from going out onto the Spit and seeing some bald eagles (what I came here for, really). I've seen bald eagles in the zoos I've been to but it's so wrong seeing the symbol of American freedom locked up in a cage or behind bars.

I'm hungry but the safeway here closes at midnight (d'oh!)...that's what you get when you're out in the sticks, I guess! I'm also in this big ol' room all by myself. It's like $89 a night but there is a $59 option-I never knew about that before!!! I might ask if I can change rooms tomorrow. I really don't need space to sleep 5 people you know. Not like I have any friends down here!
Oops there I go being negative again.

Everything I've seen so far has actually been pretty nice, I've only been seeing it in the 'off' season when most things shut down and the town isn't at it's most vibrant. Definately would be worth coming back for a summer visit, I think. Will definitely have to save more money for that one though!

Ok I am off to try and find something to eat, maybe a cup of tea (been drinking so much coffee lately-need tea!). That reminds me-I've been away for over 3 weeks now. I don't know if I've said this here yet (it's in my written journal though) but it feels like no time has passed, but at the same time it's like I've been here forever...strange.
I'm on the lookout for a cheap way to get from NYC to Saskachewan, Canada for sometime after the 14th of Jan. I figure if I have to wait for a flight home then I might as well travel around some more until it's time to leave. Saves staying in NYC and blowing alot of money I no doubt won't even have in the first place.

Anyway really must go now-
Stay classy,
-Lisha