My flight from LAX to Seattle (where I met up with Brant) and on to Anchorage was easy….No delays; no lost luggage; no hassle.
After checking in at the Sheraton, we were off to the Port (2-3 miles away) to collect our little rally car. Again, no hassle; no fuss. Car started up right away and we were back to the Sheraton quickly. Short nap; great seafood dinner at Orso and our first day was completed.
There has been a steady light rain for most of our time in Anchorage so I have not had any opportunity to see many vistas, but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of opportunities to write about the scenery after the rally gets underway.
However, there is one observation I’d like to mention. In collecting our supplies, eating in restaurants, riding in taxis and talking to some locals, we’ve been impressed with the number foreigners or recently landed immigrants from Africa that live and work in Anchorage. Recent arrivals from Ethiopia, Zambia and other sub-Saharan countries have come to Anchorage in recent years. Jobs are plentiful and wages on the high side…..and for permanent residents the State’s Permanent Fund Dividend. Last year the Fund paid every qualified Alaskan (man, woman and child) $3,200.
These are hardworking people, many of whom send a portion of their wages back home to relatives.
You see similar behavior in the Southwest USA with the Hispanic population coming from Mexico and Central/South America. I was just surprised to see the same economic behavior with primarily African immigrants here in Anchorage.
The demographics of Anchorage is approximately:
60% Caucasian
11% Mixed Race
Balance: Asian; Native
Alaskan; Negro; Hispanic
It’s summertime here now, but the winter is long, cold and dark. Usually there is snow from mid-October to April. Worse yet, during December, January and February you only get 4/5 hours of sunlight….a bit depressing, but Spring and Summer bring hunting, fishing , hiking and camping in the Last Frontier; still unspoiled by man.
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