Introduction to Barrow, Alaska
The narrator travels to Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost and most isolated town in America, on the darkest day of the year, December 21st. After a rushed and stressful flight connection from Anchorage, they finally arrive in Barrow, where they experience the extreme cold and darkness, and are mistaken for a scientist due to being the only tourist on the plane.
Exploring Barrow
The narrator is in Barrow, the northernmost town in America, with a local guide named Ace, exploring the town’s sights, including the whalebone arch monument. They discuss the extreme cold and darkness of the town during winter, with temperatures rarely above -25° and 30 days of complete darkness.
In Barrow, the sunrise and sunset are only visible during spring and fall, while in winter the sun doesn’t rise and in summer it doesn’t set, circling above the horizon. The location is incredibly remote, closer to Tokyo than New York City, making it feel foreign and surreal, with a mix of American and unique cultural elements.
Community and Culture
The town of Barrow has around 4,500 people and offers basic amenities like supermarkets, a police station, a hospital, and a few restaurants. Due to its isolated location, it has no connecting roads to other parts of the state, and the only way to receive essential supplies is through the airport. The community is special because of its people, known as Inupiat, who have a unique culture.
The Arctic natives of Barrow have a unique culture, characterized by a great sense of humor and pride in their heritage. They have survived for over 1,500 years by hunting whales, polar bears, and walruses for survival, not for fun. This traditional way of life is still practiced today, using the same technology, as they are not allowed to change their methods. They prioritize their traditional lifestyle over modern alternatives, valuing their connection to the land and their community.
Whale Hunting and Subsistence
The government controls and monitors the quota of whales that can be hunted, ensuring it’s done scientifically with checks on the health and population of whales. Whales are a crucial food source, with one whale able to feed around 3,000 people, and the community relies on this tradition that has been passed down through generations.
A whale’s heart can weigh around 250 pounds, and the speaker discusses the unusual practice of eating whale meat, which is considered bizarre in most of the US, but is given thanks for as a source of nourishment. The speaker also tries various exotic foods, including bearded seal and whale, and finds the whale to be surprisingly delicious with a texture similar to beef.
Challenges of Living in Barrow
The area is extremely cold, with temperatures ranging from -20 to -4 F, causing pipes to be installed above ground and cars to require engine block heaters to start. The harsh weather conditions often lead to cars getting stuck in the snow. Additionally, due to high rates of alcohol abuse, there are no bars, but marijuana is legal in Alaska, and there is a weed dispensary in the area that receives its supply by plane.
Everyday activities like eating become a main pastime in Barrow, and food prices are expected to be high due to the remote location. A visit to a local supermarket will reveal the high costs of living in such an isolated area. The speaker discusses their experience living in Alaska, specifically in Barrow, where everyday items like Dr Pepper and coconuts are expensive.
Economy and Tourism
The oil supply is finite and will eventually run out, posing a threat to the economy of oil-rich places. Unlike cities like Dubai, which can rely on tourism, Barrow lacks the infrastructure for mass tourism. The locals are skeptical of tourism, and the town’s economy may face a downturn when the oil industry moves out.
The speaker visits a Korean and Japanese restaurant, feeling like they’re in Japan or Korea, and appreciates the authentic taste. They also discuss the oil industry in Barrow, specifically the large oil deposit in Prudhoe Bay, which brings in jobs and wealth to the area.
The speaker finds the natural beauty of Barrow to be stunning, with its cold and stillness. The people are friendly, have a great sense of humor, and don’t take life too seriously, making it an amazing experience. The speaker is glad to have visited this isolated community in America and hopes to return, inviting viewers to subscribe for more stories from around the world.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Inupiat | The Inupiat are an indigenous people who traditionally inhabit the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. | The Inupiat people of Barrow have a unique culture and traditional way of life. |
| Subsistence | Subsistence refers to the practice of producing or obtaining food and other essential goods and services to meet one’s basic needs. | Whale hunting is an important part of the subsistence lifestyle in Barrow. |
| Prudhoe Bay | Prudhoe Bay is a bay located in northern Alaska, known for its large oil reserves and oil production. | The oil deposit in Prudhoe Bay brings in jobs and wealth to the area. |
| Engine Block Heater | An engine block heater is a device used to warm up a vehicle’s engine before starting it, often used in cold climates. | Cars in Barrow require engine block heaters to start in the extreme cold temperatures. |
| Whalebone Arch | A whalebone arch is a monument or structure made from whale bones, often used to commemorate or celebrate the importance of whales in a community. | The whalebone arch monument is a notable landmark in Barrow. |
| Polar Night | Polar night refers to the period of time in the winter when the sun remains below the horizon, resulting in complete darkness. | Barrow experiences 30 days of polar night during the winter. |
| Midnight Sun | The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs in the summer when the sun remains visible at midnight, resulting in constant daylight. | In Barrow, the midnight sun occurs during the summer months. |
| Bearded Seal | The bearded seal is a species of earless seal that is found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. | The speaker tries bearded seal as an exotic food in Barrow. |
| Walrus | The walrus is a large marine mammal that is found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, known for its distinctive tusks and blubbery body. | The Inupiat people of Barrow hunt walruses as part of their traditional subsistence lifestyle. |
| Polar Bear | The polar bear is a large carnivorous mammal that is found in the Arctic regions, known for its white fur and distinctive hunting habits. | The Inupiat people of Barrow hunt polar bears as part of their traditional subsistence lifestyle. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘a person who travels to a place for pleasure’ in the context of the narrator’s visit to Barrow, Alaska?
A) Scientist
B) Tourist
C) Explorer
D) Local
2. What is the term for the practice of hunting animals, such as whales, for food and survival, as described in the context of the Inupiat people?
A) Subsistence
B) Sustainability
C) Conservation
D) Commercialism
3. Which phrase describes the phenomenon where the sun does not rise above the horizon for a period of time, experienced by the people of Barrow during winter?
A) Polar night
B) Midnight sun
C) Solar eclipse
D) Arctic dawn
4. What is the name of the native people of Barrow, Alaska, who have a unique culture and traditional way of life?
A) Inuit
B) Yupik
C) Inupiat
D) Aleut
5. What is the term for the limit set by the government on the number of whales that can be hunted, as mentioned in the context of whale hunting in Barrow?
A) Quota
B) Limitation
C) Restriction
D) Regulation
Answer Key:
1. B
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. A
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Simple and Present Continuous Tenses to Describe Habits, Routines, and Ongoing Actions
Grammar Quiz:
1. The present simple tense is used to describe _______.
- A) Ongoing actions that are happening at the moment
- B) General truths, habits, and routines
- C) Past events that have a connection to the present
- D) Future plans and predictions
2. Which of the following sentences uses the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing action?
- A) The town of Barrow has a unique culture.
- B) The government controls and monitors the quota of whales that can be hunted.
- C) The community relies on this tradition that has been passed down through generations.
- D) The narrator visits a Korean and Japanese restaurant.
3. The sentence “The narrator is in Barrow, exploring the town’s sights” uses the present continuous tense to describe _______.
- A) A general truth about the town of Barrow
- B) A habit or routine of the narrator
- C) An ongoing action of the narrator
- D) A past event that has a connection to the present
4. Which of the following sentences uses the present simple tense to describe a general truth?
- A) The narrator is visiting a local supermarket.
- B) The town of Barrow has around 4,500 people.
- C) The government is controlling and monitoring the quota of whales that can be hunted.
- D) The community is relying on this tradition that has been passed down through generations.
5. The correct use of the present simple and present continuous tenses helps to _______.
- A) Create a clear picture of the situation being described and convey the intended meaning
- B) Describe past events that have a connection to the present
- C) Make predictions about future events
- D) Emphasize the importance of the subject being described
Answer Key:
1. B) General truths, habits, and routines
2. B) The government controls and monitors the quota of whales that can be hunted.
3. C) An ongoing action of the narrator
4. B) The town of Barrow has around 4,500 people.
5. A) Create a clear picture of the situation being described and convey the intended meaning