Anchorage

Ted Stevens International Airport. Alaska has the greatest number of pilots and light aircraft in the United States. Six times as many pilots per capita and 12 times as many airplanes per capita as compared to the rest of the states. Interestingly, that means that the international airport is very small compared to the domestic airport. Opposite of what we'd expect! The international airport is kinda old and small but the domestic one has a new shiny white exterior. Hm. And the immigration officer asked me whether I worked for a dentist. I was puzzled and thought it was my dazzling smile that won him over until he pointed to my t-shirt... OH :D

Someone from the hotel picked us up and brought us to our house. I was kinda worried cos I did the housing arrangements and was afraid that the others would kill me if the place was bad. Fortunately, it turned out to be a very cosy blue cottage-like house, and the owner has 2 Alaskan malamutes (!!!) and another very nice dog. Her baby Miko is also very cute! Huge blue eyes. The place is great... fully furnished and all. Linens, tv, phone, wireless, dishes, stove blah blah blah. Don't feel like going out heh. Forcing myself to stay awake till its time to sleep here. But the long periods of daylight aren't going to help with my sleep cycle. The Sun sets at 10.30pm and rises around 4am. The days will get progressively longer too. So I have to tell myself to go back to sleep. That's crazy!

Here are some pictures of where I'm staying:


My room, with all the chargers plugged in - shows how settled in I am :)


Living room with satellite TV and a 2-person futon

Spotless toilet with a bathtub, linens and a toiletries closet.

We haven't done much since we arrived... The first day was spent getting Social Security done. I needed to get a replacement card cos I never did receive mine since last year. The next day, I brought the girls to Wells Fargo to set up their bank accounts. My experience with Wells Fargo in Cali was good and it was good here too! So that was done. After that we went to the 5th Ave Mall to shop. Tee hee hee. Nordstrom, JC Penney, Gap, American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie. I foresee that I'll be spending some time there, especially since its really near to my workplace. I bought 2 pairs of Levi's Jeans and a top! Whoopee~~


Abercrombie mua ha ha. Just like last year when I first got to San Diego, I was really excited about being in a real store but I bet I won't buy anything again cos I'm too poor (stingy). But I know some friends back in Singapore who would be drooling with envy. The kind that spends all their money on Abercrombie then complains about being poor! Tsk.

The bad: Lots of homeless around here. I think we're not staying in a very good part of town and people come out to drink at night. Even in the day there are bunches of dubious looking people who come talk to you (not ordinary friendly folk). And since almost everyone who has a normal job would have a car here, our having to take the bus just increases our chances of run-ins with these people! But its ok... We try to ignore it haha. I suggested going to the thrift store beside our house (see below) to buy some grubby clothes so we can blend in. Another thing, food here is madly expensive! Everything, but especially fresh produce and meat. Sob. Seems like its back to the cereal/yoghurt/milk diet for me. Even bananas and apples are expensive here :( And everything seems to be produced in California. Gah.




Just now we went to buy groceries again. And something really nice happened! This guy at the grocery store Carrs came out and gave my friends and I free slices of watermelon to eat! My friends were very grateful cos it was the first time they had fruit since we arrived (read: bowel problems hehehe). He kept asking if we wanted more, then proceeded to dish out some strawberries with almonds from the salad bar. Goodness gracious. His name's Rolando. I must think of a way to thank him.

I'm so happy cos the internet's working and I don't have to steal wireless anymore! And I also bought a calling card so I can call home. Yay~~~