Akiachak, Alaska

Once again, I chose to read the article that Mrs. Jarrett linked in her blog: Remote and Struggling, but still a bit of America - written by Dan Barry. The article discusses a rural village in Alaska, named Akiachak, where its residents are trying to modernize yet retain their Eskimoan culture. Many people in the village must overcome obstacles daily. One part of the village lacks plumbing; its inhabitants must carry water from the nearby river everyday so that they have something to drink and something to bathe in. Others deal with the lack of texts in Yup'ik, their native language. One woman has even lobbied to make presidential ballots available in the language so that her fellow neighbors can vote during the election. Still others must face the high prices of food and gas (which are nearly double than in an urban area). And the village as a whole must deal with its residents packing up and departing for Anchorage. If you think you have it bad, think again and take a look around. Be thankful for what you have.

Barry, Dan. "Remote and Struggling but Still a Bit of America." New York Times. 5 October 2008. 3 February 2009. <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/us/06land.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1>