The day has come! It is sunny today as we all exchange phone numbers, hugs, and well wishes. My bags are packed and I am mostly ready to go except that it doesn't quite feel final. I even handed in my uniform today - but I walked out of work confused by a conglomerate of many different feelings. Who knows when I will see any of these people again? I have become really close to a lot of people (and to Juneau) within the last 3 weeks (and of course over the course of the summer), and I've never experienced this kind of goodbye where we are all literally headed to different corners of the world. And how can I tear myself away from such a beautiful landscape, especially when it's sunny on my final day? It seems to be just a reminder of how wonderful this place really is. Certainly I will miss the job; all the tourists, locals, friends, and coworkers, the masses of incredible people that I have met and been touched by throughout the summer, are the real reason I will probably remain in the tourism industry. I thought I was ready to come home, and now here I am wishing I just had a few more days to spend with my new friends.
These next months are going to be an incredible time of reflection back on my breath-taking summer here in Alaska. I'm so fortunate to have had this experience - not just the work experience but the experience of a lifetime, and it has really opened so many doors for the future. I finally think I have found a niche. I don't think I am meant to work 12 months out of the year, but I still have so much time to figure all of this out. The real question on everyone's lips is "are you coming back next summer?" My answer is that I will definitely come back to visit Juneau at some point in my life, but it is now within my comfort zone and I aim to remove myself from that zone so that I might be able to grow more as a person; if I come back to Alaska, I will drive the highways around Fairbanks. But lately, and idea has been fluttering around in my head for next summer: driving in Yellowstone. Who knows. So much can change in a year.
I have grown so much this summer. Thank you to everyone and everything that has been a part of this growth - I really couldn't have done it without all of you. I promise that this isn't goodbye, only "see you later," and we will try our best to stay in touch. At least we will always have Juneau, Alaska to remember together!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day #95: Northstar Trekking
Yesterday was pretty awesome. Jessica and I went to see the movie Mount St. Elias - a documentary about some Austrian men who climbed the Mountain and achieved the longest vertical ski descent (18,000 feet from summit to ocean). Their journey was not without complications though, and they got stuck in a blizzard as well as having some problems with avalanches. I recommend the movie! It made me really excited to climb some mountains this fall. Afterward we went and got frozen yogurt, which was amazing. That was the second of three days off! It's been relaxing but I am anxious to get back to work and finish up this time here. Oh well, it will come soon enough... :)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Day #94: Barely Hanging in There
Only a few more days are left here in Juneau. Things are winding down, and the feel of this place is already different. It seems appropriate that the leaves are beginning to change and the days are starting to feel really short - everything about life here is falling asleep as the colder months begin to take hold. The tours feel different; it's like the tourists know that this is the end and they feel equally as burnt out as we do. Another two no-ship days are here. We hardly know what to do with ourselves so we sit in our hotel rooms having movie marathons and ordering pizza delivery, all the while trying to rally our spirits to maintain the enthusiasm for just another 5 days. Everyone is tired: tired of the season, tired of the politics, tired of answering the same 5 questions over and over again. There is so much joy in the memories but we're all ready for the next big thing.
Everyone is anxious for the next step. Some have already gone back to school, a few have decided to stay in Juneau. Camille is getting married, Nick and Nick are moving to Vegas to hit it big in the Poker circuit. Ericka and Debs are road tripping, like myself. Brit, Hillary and Laura are going to Europe, and the other Nick is heading to Texas for a while. Jessica is moving to Bellingham and Amy is going to Hawaii to drive buses there. And some aren't sure what's next, but there's no shame in that. It's weird to think that my closest friends over the last few months will no longer be around; we all came together from very different places and all of a sudden we are dispersing and heading out in completely opposite directions once again. My new found love of seasonal work comes with one drawback: the impermanence of friendships. I know that I will try to stay in touch with all these people, and of course I now have friends all over the world, but it is never easy to say goodbye especially when you're not sure when you'll see these people again. I hope it is soon.
Alaska changed me. I'm not entirely sure that I can say exactly how I've changed over the course of the summer, but I know that it's real and that I feel more awake and alive than I ever have. Perhaps the harshness of this place has caused my ideals to lower their standards to a more realistic level, or maybe I have become more aware of myself and what I need to remain sustained. I understand that nothing is permanent and that you can't please everyone (and that this is okay). Perhaps I am not as humble as I like to think I am. I've learned that healthy relationships can get through anything, especially when that love is unconditional and comes from the bottom of one's heart, but also that sometimes even the best of friends have to let go and give each other time to grow independently. All in all, my time here in Alaska has been a very positive experience, though there are a few things that will forever taint my memory of this place - but I hope that those memories will transform into stories to laugh over years from now. I know that in these months to come, as I reflect back on my time here in Juneau, AK, driving tour buses, I will begin to understand what each of those important moments meant - the moments where I faltered, where I floundered, or where I flourished. They all have significant meanings for my life and I can't wait to discover what they are, because all of them together will help me to grow as a person and better understand who I really am underneath all of the sense of adventure that swells inside of me.
Everyone is anxious for the next step. Some have already gone back to school, a few have decided to stay in Juneau. Camille is getting married, Nick and Nick are moving to Vegas to hit it big in the Poker circuit. Ericka and Debs are road tripping, like myself. Brit, Hillary and Laura are going to Europe, and the other Nick is heading to Texas for a while. Jessica is moving to Bellingham and Amy is going to Hawaii to drive buses there. And some aren't sure what's next, but there's no shame in that. It's weird to think that my closest friends over the last few months will no longer be around; we all came together from very different places and all of a sudden we are dispersing and heading out in completely opposite directions once again. My new found love of seasonal work comes with one drawback: the impermanence of friendships. I know that I will try to stay in touch with all these people, and of course I now have friends all over the world, but it is never easy to say goodbye especially when you're not sure when you'll see these people again. I hope it is soon.
Alaska changed me. I'm not entirely sure that I can say exactly how I've changed over the course of the summer, but I know that it's real and that I feel more awake and alive than I ever have. Perhaps the harshness of this place has caused my ideals to lower their standards to a more realistic level, or maybe I have become more aware of myself and what I need to remain sustained. I understand that nothing is permanent and that you can't please everyone (and that this is okay). Perhaps I am not as humble as I like to think I am. I've learned that healthy relationships can get through anything, especially when that love is unconditional and comes from the bottom of one's heart, but also that sometimes even the best of friends have to let go and give each other time to grow independently. All in all, my time here in Alaska has been a very positive experience, though there are a few things that will forever taint my memory of this place - but I hope that those memories will transform into stories to laugh over years from now. I know that in these months to come, as I reflect back on my time here in Juneau, AK, driving tour buses, I will begin to understand what each of those important moments meant - the moments where I faltered, where I floundered, or where I flourished. They all have significant meanings for my life and I can't wait to discover what they are, because all of them together will help me to grow as a person and better understand who I really am underneath all of the sense of adventure that swells inside of me.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Day #89: Sunshine & Good Times
So much has been happening over the last week! On Wednesday, a woman (travelling by herself, and who was very sweet) found a $50 bill on my bus and loved me so much that she decided to give it to me instead of keeping it for herself. "Consider it a gift from God," she said. It certainly was. That same day I decided that Whale Watching & Salmon Bake tours are my favorite because the folks get to eat afterwards, so they are psyched on life. Interestingly enough, though, after all this promise of working crazy busy days and having so many tours to give everyone, our hours have been significantly cut and we are no longer getting to stay with the entire group for the whole tour. We also had our first no ship days: Friday there were zero ships in port all day, and Sunday we had one ship in but it was a Royal Caribbean ship, who we don't drive for. Because the weather has been FABULOUS these days off having been awesome.
Friday was awesome. I woke up and went to breakfast with Nick. Later on in the afternoon, I met up with some friends (Jess, Brit, Becca, Debs & her sister) and we went thrift store shopping. At Salvation Army I found a white 100% wool sweater that fits perfectly for $4 and at The Closet I found a down vest for $17, another fuzzy vest for my mom, a gypsy skirt and a bag (I can't believe I haven't had a purse until now). The vest and the sweater will be great for cold desert nights this fall! After that, we went to get frozen yogurt and I gorged myself on the goodness; then we saw the movie Contagion, which I could have done without. It was a great day of bonding with some great people.
Saturday the weather really opened up. I worked early in the morning, and after work Stephanie, Josiah, Jessica and I went out the road to Eagle Beach and walked around in the mud flats. I'm not sure why we were surprised when we wound up in the mud up to our knees, but it sure was a fabulous afternoon of being outside in the gorgeous sun. When we came back we had dinner at the Island Pub with a bunch of folks to celebrate Deborah's birthday. We danced and ate great food and talked about our plans for the future. Saturday night we took a company van out to North Douglas and camped out on the beach until 2 looking for the northern lights, since it was a clear night. It was unsuccessful, but it was a really fun night hanging out with friends!
Yesterday was also pretty cool! Went to breakfast again with some friends out in the valley, then afterwards took the scooter all the way out the road with Jessica. That was quite the adventure! We were gone for 5 hours, wore too little clothing, saw some great scenery but made the mistake of waiting for someone to pick us up on the way back to find out a little too late that they actually weren't coming after all. (An hour of daylight and warmth wasted!) But we made it back in one piece with a great story to tell. I even went out again last night, by myself, for an hour or so to see if I could find some northern lights. Again, I was not successful, but I do really hope that by the time I go home I will be able to say that I saw them!!
Since so many people have left, the small group of people that is still here has become really tight knit and close. I've been bonding with people I didn't think I would bond with, all because we're all here until the "bitter end" and we can share this beautiful weather. There are about ten days left until I come home, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm feeling ready for my next adventure. But until then, I have some great friends to make a few last memories with and to enjoy every last second of my time here in beautiful Juneau, AK. I just can't believe that this summer is already over!!
Friday was awesome. I woke up and went to breakfast with Nick. Later on in the afternoon, I met up with some friends (Jess, Brit, Becca, Debs & her sister) and we went thrift store shopping. At Salvation Army I found a white 100% wool sweater that fits perfectly for $4 and at The Closet I found a down vest for $17, another fuzzy vest for my mom, a gypsy skirt and a bag (I can't believe I haven't had a purse until now). The vest and the sweater will be great for cold desert nights this fall! After that, we went to get frozen yogurt and I gorged myself on the goodness; then we saw the movie Contagion, which I could have done without. It was a great day of bonding with some great people.
Saturday the weather really opened up. I worked early in the morning, and after work Stephanie, Josiah, Jessica and I went out the road to Eagle Beach and walked around in the mud flats. I'm not sure why we were surprised when we wound up in the mud up to our knees, but it sure was a fabulous afternoon of being outside in the gorgeous sun. When we came back we had dinner at the Island Pub with a bunch of folks to celebrate Deborah's birthday. We danced and ate great food and talked about our plans for the future. Saturday night we took a company van out to North Douglas and camped out on the beach until 2 looking for the northern lights, since it was a clear night. It was unsuccessful, but it was a really fun night hanging out with friends!
Yesterday was also pretty cool! Went to breakfast again with some friends out in the valley, then afterwards took the scooter all the way out the road with Jessica. That was quite the adventure! We were gone for 5 hours, wore too little clothing, saw some great scenery but made the mistake of waiting for someone to pick us up on the way back to find out a little too late that they actually weren't coming after all. (An hour of daylight and warmth wasted!) But we made it back in one piece with a great story to tell. I even went out again last night, by myself, for an hour or so to see if I could find some northern lights. Again, I was not successful, but I do really hope that by the time I go home I will be able to say that I saw them!!
Since so many people have left, the small group of people that is still here has become really tight knit and close. I've been bonding with people I didn't think I would bond with, all because we're all here until the "bitter end" and we can share this beautiful weather. There are about ten days left until I come home, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm feeling ready for my next adventure. But until then, I have some great friends to make a few last memories with and to enjoy every last second of my time here in beautiful Juneau, AK. I just can't believe that this summer is already over!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Day #83: Keeping Things Interesting
It's been a really crazy couple of days here! Yesterday was 10.5 hours, today was 12.75 and tomorrow is supposed to be almost 13 for me. Yesterday and today have produced some of the most noteworthy groups of the summer, for several reasons. Last night, for example, I gave an Evening Quest tour (whale watching with dinner on board the ship) to the craziest group of the summer - they simple refused to not have a good time. We started out with laughs, laughed the whole way out, I toured a little but mostly we just had a great time. On the way back we had some more laughs about headlights and drinking. The coolest thing about this tour, though, was a moment that we shared on the return back to their ship. I had been toying with the idea, lately, of singing a different song for my guests, and I settled on one of the pieces I sang for my grad school auditions (Leonard Cohen's hallelujah). The trial run was with this group that I completely felt like I had bonded with, this evening quest, and something really magical happened: during the chorus, they all joined in. There was something about those moments, singing hallelujah with a group of people I'd never met before and may never meet again, in the darkness of a rainy but beautiful Alaskan night, that really made me feel connected to these strangers in a way I'd never experienced before. I've always known that music can heal and bring people together, but I think that last night really demonstrated for me the depth to which this concept can be stretched. I told these folks that they were awesome and that I'd shout out to them here on my blog, and I just want to say that I really meant what I said last night! I will never forget those brief but beautiful moments here in my summer in Alaska that sparked a new inspiration for my life ahead of me. Thank you for sharing them with me. (Leave a comment if you feel so inclined!! :) )
Today held some different but equally wonderful folks. I gave a couple of tours today and for some reason I had a few people who just thought I was the best thing since sliced bread. It was one of those days in which people very much appreciated the services that I could offer them. There were two ladies from California on my Glacier/Tram tour who were so super sweet that it was hard not to just talk with them the whole time (though the rest of the group was great too!), and at the end of the day they gave me entirely too much money. Honestly, I wanted these ladies to adopt me and take me home with them, they were so sweet. Last night and today were honestly two days that it wouldn't have mattered much what they tipped me - I just had such a great time spending time with them and showing them around Juneau.
Hats off to really great tourists, entertaining tourists, and a whole slough of awesome memories that will accompany me across my many travels this fall. Best wishes and good luck with everything, Kristin. :)
Today held some different but equally wonderful folks. I gave a couple of tours today and for some reason I had a few people who just thought I was the best thing since sliced bread. It was one of those days in which people very much appreciated the services that I could offer them. There were two ladies from California on my Glacier/Tram tour who were so super sweet that it was hard not to just talk with them the whole time (though the rest of the group was great too!), and at the end of the day they gave me entirely too much money. Honestly, I wanted these ladies to adopt me and take me home with them, they were so sweet. Last night and today were honestly two days that it wouldn't have mattered much what they tipped me - I just had such a great time spending time with them and showing them around Juneau.
Hats off to really great tourists, entertaining tourists, and a whole slough of awesome memories that will accompany me across my many travels this fall. Best wishes and good luck with everything, Kristin. :)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Day #78: Uh Oh, My Coach Won't Start!
Finally, my time came! My motor coach broke down on me today. Surprisingly, I was really glad it happened, especially in the way that it happened; it couldn't have been worked out more smoothly. I laughed through the whole situation because of this, and because it was just so comical. When it was time to pick up my guests at the glacier and take them to their whale watching boat, all of a sudden, my coach wouldn't start. Jessica, who was with me in the lot and who has had her coaches break down on her like 8 or 9 times, was on it within seconds troubleshooting with the battery and the engine compartment. Then her and Nick Steffl fabricated a plan: he would take my folks out to the whale watch while I waited for the mechanics to show up and fix the coach. They saved the day, and I couldn't have done it without them! I let my guests know what happened and reassured them that Nick was just as good of a driver as I am, and that I would meet up with them later to bring them back to town. They had a good laugh about it. It all worked out in the end since it was a fairly easy going day and I had enough time for the shop to come out and tell me that my coach just needed to be jumped. Something about a 12 volt and a 24 volt battery...? Yeah, I'm not sure. But it all worked out in the end, and everyone on the bus assured me as they got off that they had a wonderful time! It was a great day and an equally great learning experience.
The best part of the day was that it turned out to be a beautiful day! By early afternoon the skies were blue and the sun was shining. It was so great to finally get some vitamin D and feel good about life. We hung out during our stage time in the parking lot at Safeway on our stools eating a pie Deb bought for $3 and just soaking up the sun; later at the BIMA (the dock where we pick up the whale watchers) we hung out in the sun and took some great photos. It seriously lifted my spirits to see blue skies and the sun shining down on the mountains and the city. I'm feeling great about these last 3 weeks until I head home for my next great adventure!
The best part of the day was that it turned out to be a beautiful day! By early afternoon the skies were blue and the sun was shining. It was so great to finally get some vitamin D and feel good about life. We hung out during our stage time in the parking lot at Safeway on our stools eating a pie Deb bought for $3 and just soaking up the sun; later at the BIMA (the dock where we pick up the whale watchers) we hung out in the sun and took some great photos. It seriously lifted my spirits to see blue skies and the sun shining down on the mountains and the city. I'm feeling great about these last 3 weeks until I head home for my next great adventure!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Day #75: It Pays To Be Positive
Literally. I made the mental commitment today to staying positive and enjoying the rest of my time here in Juneau, and it didn't hurt that it stopped raining with a little cloud lift today to brighten my spirits. The more I savor the moments the quicker they seem to pass - because time flies when we're having fun, right? I'm stuck between trying to soak in the last few drops of fun and being impatient to go home. That's okay, both are pulling at me equally and I'm fine with it. But today, my positive attitude was rewarded with some really appreciative folks who were quite generous at the end of the day.
Inspired by a facebook post from one of the drivers who left last week, I added up some numbers to summarize what I have done so far this summer. The list is absolutely fascinating. So far this summer, from June 16th to August 28th:
Miles driven: 4,265 miles
Tours given: 55
Separate transfers made: 52
Days of transfers only: 7
Days spent with an hour or more of shuttle: 13
Average tips/tour: $30
Days off: 13
Days worked: 62
Hours worked: 560
Hours per day: Approx. 9
Hours per week: Approx. 56
I don't know if this gives you any insight into what my summer has been like or not, but it has absolutely flown by. As cheesy as it may sound, it really has been a whirlwind - so many great memories of beautiful moments spent with amazing people from all over the country, but here at the end they all seem to blur together. Every day I when I write in my log book I feel as though I am asking myself, how is it already August 28th? I'm going to add another list here; this is a list of all the wonderful moments that stick out in my head.
1. The scoot ride with Nick out to North Douglas Island on a cloudless day.
2. Ultimate frisbee the second night after we got into town, on a beautiful evening.
3. Hanging out & hiking with Daniel - especially comping the Taku Lodge tour.
4. Both silent dance parties.
5. Learning to fish with Pat out near the end of the road.
6. That first night I felt a sense of belonging; deep convos with both Nick & Pat.
7. The fourth of July. Great friends, great fireworks.
8. Group hike out the West Glacier Trail to the ice caves.
9. Getting paid to ride a helicopter and go on a dog sledding tour.
10. Going out to the glacier with friends after the lake flooded.
11. Those 3 days of high 70-degree weather and that one AWESOME tour.
12. All of the great hiking: Mt. Roberts, Mt. Juneau, Perseverance, etc.
13. The first discovery of the Waffle Co.
I feel like this list could probably go on but these are the ones I can really think of. Perhaps I will add some more to this list over the next 3 and a half weeks until I leave, and I certainly know that there are still plenty of good times to come. The nearness of the end has begun to make me both giddy and slightly sad to leave these memories and these friends behind, but I know there are so many more adventures to come...
Inspired by a facebook post from one of the drivers who left last week, I added up some numbers to summarize what I have done so far this summer. The list is absolutely fascinating. So far this summer, from June 16th to August 28th:
Miles driven: 4,265 miles
Tours given: 55
Separate transfers made: 52
Days of transfers only: 7
Days spent with an hour or more of shuttle: 13
Average tips/tour: $30
Days off: 13
Days worked: 62
Hours worked: 560
Hours per day: Approx. 9
Hours per week: Approx. 56
I don't know if this gives you any insight into what my summer has been like or not, but it has absolutely flown by. As cheesy as it may sound, it really has been a whirlwind - so many great memories of beautiful moments spent with amazing people from all over the country, but here at the end they all seem to blur together. Every day I when I write in my log book I feel as though I am asking myself, how is it already August 28th? I'm going to add another list here; this is a list of all the wonderful moments that stick out in my head.
1. The scoot ride with Nick out to North Douglas Island on a cloudless day.
2. Ultimate frisbee the second night after we got into town, on a beautiful evening.
3. Hanging out & hiking with Daniel - especially comping the Taku Lodge tour.
4. Both silent dance parties.
5. Learning to fish with Pat out near the end of the road.
6. That first night I felt a sense of belonging; deep convos with both Nick & Pat.
7. The fourth of July. Great friends, great fireworks.
8. Group hike out the West Glacier Trail to the ice caves.
9. Getting paid to ride a helicopter and go on a dog sledding tour.
10. Going out to the glacier with friends after the lake flooded.
11. Those 3 days of high 70-degree weather and that one AWESOME tour.
12. All of the great hiking: Mt. Roberts, Mt. Juneau, Perseverance, etc.
13. The first discovery of the Waffle Co.
I feel like this list could probably go on but these are the ones I can really think of. Perhaps I will add some more to this list over the next 3 and a half weeks until I leave, and I certainly know that there are still plenty of good times to come. The nearness of the end has begun to make me both giddy and slightly sad to leave these memories and these friends behind, but I know there are so many more adventures to come...
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