David Sedaris on Alaska, land of eagles and no neckties

Humorist David Sedaris has a summer time journey tip:

I at all times thought I would know who I obtained my COVID from, however ultimately I do not know. Somebody in Alaska, I am guessing. And that is OK.  If you happen to’ve by no means been, you must, if just for the wildlife.

One afternoon in Kodiak a pilot supplied to take me up in his coffin-sized aircraft and provides me a tour. “What are you curious about?” he requested.

I would already seen extra eagles than I may depend, and so I answered, “Bears.”

“They’re probably not congregating this time of 12 months,” he stated.  “However I may fly you over my mother and father’ home and you would see that as a substitute.”

So, I did.

In lots of the cities I went to there, there was no place to purchase a necktie. Go to a restaurant or the grocery retailer and everybody was dressed to kill … one thing, after which bathe in its blood. 

Folks’s yards had piles of junk in them: outdated water heaters, outboard motors. I discussed this to somebody, and she or he defined that all the pieces needed to be shipped from the decrease 48. Issues had been costly and arduous to obtain, so folks tended to carry onto them in case they or considered one of their neighbors wanted it for spare components.

One factor I would by no means understood about Alaska was the sense of neighborhood the folks there have. Oh, it exists in all places on some stage. If considered one of my New York neighbors wanted me to run to the grocery retailer, I’d. If their condo flooded I would provide up my spare room (for an evening). However we’re not within the wilderness collectively. We’re not tons of of miles from the closest emergency room. So, it is a good factor I caught COVID there after which returned to New York, the place hospitals are like eagles – you get sick of them, not less than in my neighborhood. Solely I will not want one. My COVID was like a gentle chilly.

It is the one factor I introduced residence from Alaska – that and a ravishing bracelet a person in Anchorage gave me. No purpose. He simply did.

All it takes are a number of nice folks to persuade you that everybody in a complete state is fantastic. The pilot who confirmed me his mother and father’ home, this stranger on the airport, a Jewish girl in Juneau named Libby who referred to herself as one of many “Frozen Chosen.”

I am telling you: Alaska. You have to go! 

     
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Story produced by Amy Wall. Editor: Joseph Frandino. 

    
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