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Jake MacDougald writes......about his experiences while volunteering in Alaska.
Sitka 5th July 2005 I've been in lovely green Sitka for three weeks now and must say I'm very happy with all aspects of the experience thus far... One can only access Sitka by ferry or plane, being on an island, so naturally, having never been to the Tongass before, I opted for the ferry. From Prince Rupert it took about 32 hours of sailing through certainly the wildest scenery I've ever really seen, or at least what definitely had the strongest sense of wilderness I've ever encountered. The voyage varied from traveling down straits a few kilometers wide to 100 meter narrow channels, giving passengers the opportunity to view the Tongass at interestingly different scales. Arriving in Sitka I was given a few days to read up a little more on the context in which I am now working. History of logging, policies, ecology. But the really fruity stuff has definitely been provided by Sitka Conservation Society as I get to experience first hand info on forest developments. The executive director recently returned from a groundtruthing stint on Prince of Wales, basically comparing the claims of loggers to what is actually been done. So through ingenious use of GIS and observation on the ground, I was provided with a concrete real world example of the deception, environmental irresponsibility and greediness displayed by the timber industry. This is the kind of stuff you couldn't dream of learning in a classroom. So inevitably learning that behind those mountains shooting up from the sea, or hidden in the inlets I observed from the ferry, industrial scale clearcutting had taken place, my sense of "wilderness" has in retrospect been somewhat downgraded. But it provides all the more impetus to help SCS in its fight. Other than that, Sitkans tend to be very friendly. It rains pretty often, but that just contributes to the Tongassian nature of the place. I sussed out a spot along the shoreline of a harbour where somehow heaps of fish get dumped, attracting dozens of bald eagles. This is on my way home, and it is quite a sight. The locals do their best to act jaded and unphased by all of them, but I know deep down they think it's damn cool too. Speaking of home, no problems there. I have the bottom floor of a larger house, but it is 100% self-sufficient, kitchen and all. The landlord is an avid fisher and so last night I was treated to Alaskan salmon fished the very same morning. Pretty good stuff. And wild! I've basically rented out the library's entire DVD collection (yes there is a DVD player too). Why didn't anyone tell me about Twin Peaks?! |
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Vietnam
Volunteers have the chance to teach English, care for and play with children in placements around central Vietnam. > Read More
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