Arrived in Anchorage AK Thurs 3-17-16. It was late and I was excited. My energy was lifted as we began to land. I had two very informative locals sitting by me in the plane who wrote down local Restaurants to visit and places to see. Once we landed we needed to pick up the rental vehicles. Once we were all set there it was time to pick everyone up at baggage. We decided we were all hungry, so we drove until we stumbled upon a place called the "Bear Tooth Theatre Pub". I had a yummy blackened fish taco and salad. As I observed the server and people around me I found myself realizing already that the people were similar to Minnesotans. By that I mean they were friendly, acclimated to the weather conditions and seemed to speak with a similar accent. This was comforting. After we ate we headed to our home away from home. It is a lovely space with three levels. Each level has a gathering space, kitchenette, bathroom, and many bedrooms. Most of us where exhausted and went to sleep right away. Day two was an open day to enjoy some free time in the area. Knowing this ahead of time I set up two visits at local Birth Centers to learn more about their practices in Anchorage. My vision is to continue my education in Midwifery once I graduate from nursing at CSS. Each Birth Centers we visited was unique in its own way. When I walked into the first one I noticed herbs, tinctures and a lending library in the lobby. They serve women at the center and at home. The second center was bright, white and had a clinical feel to it right away. I noticed technical equipment and they serve women there and at the hospital. Birth Centers and home births are covered by insurance in AK. I was curious how diverse their clients were. The answers I received were that they serve mostly middle to upper class white families. The Native or Alaska Native families utilize the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) from what I was told. We will be visiting ANMC this up coming week. In between visiting the Birth Centers, my friend and I went to lunch with a friend of my brothers who is from AK. He is from the Tlingit tribe and grew up in Sitka (Baranof Island). We visited and enjoyed a delicious meal at Simon & Seafort's Restaurant downtown. Our view was of the sleeping lady as you can see in the pictures. The pictures by the way do not speak well to the true beauty here. It is so magnificent in every direction you look. It can be a little overwhelming and surreal at times. I am so humbled to be a visitor in this land. |