During my morning-jogg in one of the first snowfall events of the year, it suddenly struck me that something was new - the wonderful scent of new-fallen snow! Fresh and clear and loaded with energy! The coming of the winter is perhaps not that bad after all! I also enjoyed the sound of the snowflakes as they hit the carpet of yellow leaves on the forest floor, soft and sizzling. I guess that the place where you grew up really leaves a strong imprint - I would probably miss the four seasons if I lived in a place where the climate is the same all year round - but winter perhaps doesn't have to be thaaat long...We'll see how we feel after a full year in Fairbanks, by then we might be more than ready to try living in a warm climate for a while, instead of always looking for the cold and snowy places.
Last friday we went to a bonfire among good friends, and once again we could see how social events and alcohol is different from back home in the "vodka-belt". Here, it was nice and quiet, potlatch with both food and drinks, and everyone had some beer, a drink or two, etc, but no one went over the edge, but friends of all ages could spend a good time together all night long. We couldn't help but to compare with how it is during the the 30th of April back home, when all the big bonfires are held, and people are partying everywhere.... Peter and two of the other guys were fit for fight the next morning, and could go out hunting in the mountains. That was also a bit different - Peter was prepared for hunting as we are used to doing it - long hikes up and down the mountains, staying out all day. Here, they used four-wheelers and never took more than 20 steps away from the vehicles - quite different. He came home with a new experience, and a good memory of a nice day with good friends in beatiful surrounds - and a few grouse too.
