12.19.2006

For nearly a week now abnormal temperature oscillations have found Chefornak in a disconcerting state of heating and cooling. The result of which has been an intense and bothersome atmospheric condensation that would arouse concern to even the most weathered of our across-the-pond brethren. So intense has this fog been that for nearly a week now, no food, mail, or people have come in to or out of the village. So you can imagine the relief to all when the fog finally broke, the sun blazed brightly, and conditions became ideal for winter break departure.

Having some work to finish, I schedule myself for the 5 o'clock flight with Yute airlines, not my preferred local airline, but the only one claiming to have the space and desire to take me to Bethel.

5 o'clock came to be and out of my living room window I spotted off in the distance that which I believed to be my plane. With my bags in tow, I walked the 100 or so feet to the airport only to learn that it was Hageland and not Yute that had arrived. My plane, I was told, had stopped in Kipnuk unexpectedly and would be in Chefornak within the hour. So, I waited in the school and passed the time on mathisfun.com until 6pm when George (the local airline worker) came in and informed me that my plane was five minutes away.

I gathered my things, said some good-byes, and headed to the airport once again. The evening was beautiful. The sun had just set and the uniquley Alaskan post-day glow illuminated the sky. With my bags in hand I looked up to find my plane engaging in its customary circling, pre-land routine. Happiness consumed me.

Immediately, I began to mull over of all things I intended to do over my break. While doing so, I couldn't help but notice that the path this plane was taking seemed to be uncommonly lengthy. I began to keenly observe its behavior. The plane, it appeared, seemed to fail to take the type of turn necessary to pull off the landing. "Maybe its turning now", I thought. Nope. "Or maybe now"? Where is it going?

As I watched the plane fly out of sight, George returned and informed me that the landing strip lights had failed, the pilot could not make the landing and decided to go home, and that I should try my luck again tomorrow.

So here I am back in my home wondering what obstacle the morrow will bring. Whether or not I will arrive to my next destination via plane can not be known and I believe I have learned my lesson well. As a result, Plan B is currently in formation. The exact details of which are as yet unkown, but will most likely include:
1. My students
2. Dogsled (either modern or traditional)
3. Bribery