Culture Differences

Alaska really is an entirely different world from the rest of the United States.  I had always thought back woods was back woods and there would be little variation, but that is not the case here.  I've mentioned before how it sometimes feels more sophisticated than what I'm accustomed too, but it's also much more laid back.  It is, if nothing else, a culture driven by practicality, something I can appreciate very much. Back home camping is an adventure (and an activity I enjoy very much), but here camping is more a necessity. Everything is so remote and roads are so few that it's the only option if you want to get out and explore. It's not the adventure, but simply a means to the adventure.  I see the same approach in attire as well.  I doubt there are many, if any, women in Alaska who choose looks over function and comfort when it comes to shoes.  During the fall and winter, everyone wears mudboots.  They're not cute, but fancy shoes won't be either after one trip anyway, so why bother.  I'm not saying that people don't make an effort to look nice, because they do.  They just have a much simpler, less prissy version of nice.  I've met very few people who would consider putting the time into primping in the morning that I know is standard for many back home (and am relatively certain you will not find a male who owns or uses a hair straightener or curling iron - that would be simply ridiculous).  Adventures are waiting and they have more important things to spend their time on than simply being seen by others.  Life here is more about who you are and what you do with your time than how you look while doing it - another trait I appreciate very much.

The focus seems much less on impressing others and much more on contenting one's self.  I often felt back home a secret motivation to many decisions was more about the opinion of others than anything else.  Perhaps I'm misinterpreting, but I feel a lot of people often don't do some things, not because they don't like it or don't want to, but because they fear they'll look silly because no one else does it that way.  Here that is not the case.  If someone thinks it's pretty and wants to decorate their kitchen with Christmas lights all year round, they do it and love it (it really is quite pretty).  They find so much more beauty in what they can create from ordinary things than people in other places seem to.  Rather than looking for hours or days or years for that perfect item they can purchase, they just make something with what they have and make it work.  This approach makes it feel far more personal and I find it more beautiful than the fancier things one can buy.  I'm sure much of this comes from the fact it's much easier here to create than purchase while back home the opposite is true, but I still appreciate the simplicity.