Alas, we've left Alaska, misskris! You can watch us roll in the snow this coming Saturday, at 10pm.

quote:

Originally posted by tj_zach:
Alas, we've left Alaska, misskris! You can watch us roll in the snow this coming Saturday, at 10pm.

misskris: If you're in Texas, it's on at 9.

I just wanted to say that I was born and raised in Anchorage Alaska (I am 19 years old) I just watched the show that featured Alaska it was very upsetting to me in the fact that the real Alaska was not shown. First of all we do have a summer with flowers and green trees. I hate the fact that it was only filmed in the beginning of winter. I feel that people who watch the show will think all we have is nothing but snow and coldness. The fact that they went into a store where I personally have never been to or even heard of, but it looked like a crappie little store that sells nothing but ALASKAN FOOD which could make viewers get the idea that all we eat is caribou sausage and we Alaskans cant spell Asian. I also was very angry when I saw the two guys messing with the cow and the calf (the female moose and baby) I hope they were given information on the fact that female moose are the most deadly animals when they feel their babies are in danger. On the website their is a map that shows the united states and on Alaska is a igloo, well this makes me angry, I for one have never seen an igloo or will most likey never see one most igloos are built up north like in barrow or in CANADA! I just want to say that I am very disappointed I was waiting all day to see this show and when I did, all it did for me was make me very upset I wish that the real Alaska had been shown but hey that will never happen people will continue to think the sun never goes down in the summer and never rises in the winter, polar bears roam the streets, their is nothing but snow, the temperature doesn’t rise above 0 degrees, and we live in igloos, and we are all Eskimos. Well I'm not an Eskimo and all I got from this show was stereotypical views that are being reinforced by theses travelers. One last thing I would like to say is that these travelers are a bunch of tree huggers and the animals that are dieing off, like the sea lions, it is all because of nature and humans are animals and they are a part of nature. The show made ALASKANS look like hunting killing heartless people I do like eating moose but hey its not anything like that we kill animals because that is what they are for not because we are evil.

THIS WAS THE WORST ALASKAN EXPERIANCE I HAVE EVER HAD I HOPE EVERYONE WILL THINK ABOUT WHAT I HAVE SAID AND I WILL NEVER WATCH THIS SHOW EVER AGAIN IF THEY COULDNT SHOW THE REAL ALASKA I DOUBT THEY WILL DO THE SAME FOR ANYWHERE ELSE!!!

e4erin29,
My dear that is you opinion. As and 18 year old who has never been to Alaska I did not view Alaskans as heartless people. People kill whales wow big deal. Known about that through school. Also your talking about us being sterotypical about Alaska, in my opinion, your entire post made you sterotypical about us in how we view Alaska. Also they had a week in Anchorage and got suggestions from us. If you wanted them to see what you call the real Alaska you should have given suggestions. Just my opinion. Also want to mention that you saying, "THIS WAS THE WORST ALASKAN EXPERIANCE I HAVE EVER HAD I HOPE EVERYONE WILL THINK ABOUT WHAT I HAVE SAID AND I WILL NEVER WATCH THIS SHOW EVER AGAIN IF THEY COULDNT SHOW THE REAL ALASKA I DOUBT THEY WILL DO THE SAME FOR ANYWHERE ELSE!!!" is very cruel. Like I said they go on people's suggestions.

Hi e4erin29,

I'm very deeply sorry that you feel that way about how we showed Alaska. To be honest, I knew very little about Alaska prior to going there. In fact, I drew the map with the igloo... and you're right. It's a stereotype that probably isn't representative of the State. But in my ignorance, I could find little else to represent Alaska. It is, as you said, more than the snow and cold. If that was offensive to you, then I'm sorry. I hope you take it with a bit of good humor, as it wasn't meant to offend.

I'll tell you what, though. I FELL IN LOVE WITH ALASKA. We were only there for one week, and fortunately for me, it was the onset of winter. I got to experience my first snow and snowfall. If we hadn't gone to Alaska in the winter, I would never have experienced that magic. I thank Alaska for that.

A lot of things didn't make it into the show. One of the things I said was that Moose are very powerful animals that aren't to be trifled with. Some crew asked if we could pet it, and I - being a fan of Animal Planet - said it wasn't very wise. I also versed myself on the warning signs about moose, such as bristled hair, upturned ears, huffing. You are right, moose are very dangerous when threatened - as are most animals. We were actually more than 50 meters off. We never got close enough to make them pay attention.

As for caribou meat and whale hunting... these are really part of Alaskan life, aren't they? In fact, it's ONLY in Alaska that this is experienced in America. It's not endemic elsewhere. It is NOT all there is to Alaska, of course, and we're well aware of that. I'm SURE that Alaska is beautiful also in the summer. Sorry if we couldn't show that.

The truth is, we have only one week to stay in a place, and only 40 minutes to show it. If we didn't do Alaska justice, then I feel bad about it. Just know that even in one week of being there, I LOVE Alaska completely and wish to return there someday.

Wow. Where to begin!

Ok, I'll just mess with the map thing. Yes, Alaska is an igloo. However, Florida is an alligator. There's more to Florida than gators. NYC is the Statue of Liberty. There's a lot more to see in NYC. And, I bet when the TJs go to Austin, they won't see a cowboy hat that looks like the one on the map.

And you know what? It's ok. Really. The point of going to Alaska is to do things they can't do in Florida. Like, eat caribou sausage. And you know what? I hope they show the TJs eating some gator tail, because you really don't get it anywhere else. You don't see me, an Orlando native, going "Every time a travel show goes to Orlando, they talk about nothing but Disney!!" There's a lot to Orlando besides mouse-town, but hey, it's here.

And The show was shot when it was shot, don't blame the TJs because the show was shot in late October. Besides, they came to your great state and saw snow for the first time! They probably won't see it again this trip. I'm glad they went the one place they could to see snow.

By the way, I don't know anyone that thinks this: "I wish that the real Alaska had been shown but hey that will never happen people will continue to think the sun never goes down in the summer and never rises in the winter, polar bears roam the streets, their is nothing but snow, the temperature doesn’t rise above 0 degrees, and we live in igloos, and we are all Eskimos"

Hey there TJ'S!!! Sorry I missed your trip here to Alaska. I'm a life long resident, born and raised. I was soooooo excited when I heard you would be coming here. Only if I would have known sooner I would have interacted more. Also Alaska is mixed with different cultures and ethnic groups. I, myself am a pretty weird mix. I'm KOREAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE my kind of native is called Yu'pik(you-pik).I'm also muslim!. Yes there is some even here!. I'm only 20 and happily married with 3 kids!.

TJ-ZACH: Dude! your pretty cool I think you should come back in the summer! I think you would like it. Have you ever seen the sun stay up after midnight or later? Well thats what it gets like here in the Ak. So you like the weather eh? makes you feel "alive!!!" lol. I'll trade you anytime. I bet it was pretty narley (exciting) for you and Bevis seeing the moose and snow fall.

TJ-BEVIS: I'm sooo sorry you didn't get to see your "Polar Bear" also that you got a lil' sea sick while on the Kenai Fjord tour. If you wanted to see a polar bear you all should have went to the ALASKA ZOO. There is moose, polar bear, and even the Musk Ox.

TJ-JAIME:I was so happy to see a fellow asian in Alaska that has never been here! I think we would make great shopping buddies. Like I told Zach, I think you should return in summer!.

TJ-LENA: I think me you and Jaime should get together in summer and just stroll all over downtown!,do some shopping!

TJ-TIM: DUDE!!! Your underwear?(hehehehehe) totally aaaaaawwwwsome!!!

Now all TJ'S LISTEN, If I know ahead of time that your were going to be coming here to the Ak, I would have loved to show you around! and extend me casa to be your casa!. I was thinking about getting together some care packages for ya'll while you were here to take along where ever, but I guess I missed out on that. Well listen you all have my personal invite to come back!!!! I would also like to say thank you for coming I hope you enjoyed your stay and COMEBACK IN SUMMER!!!!. C'mon, We have to let Bevis see his Polar Bear!!!. Well I would also like to send ya'll some emails so how can i do that? my email is shmoozba@hotmail.com. have any questions about the Ak. email me. I would be happy to answer!!!!!

OK! first of all I think the show did show the real Alaska!
Zach!! if I were the betting type, I would bet that you would be the first to come back!. Also if you all are still intreseted in those Care Packages I was talking about in my earlier post email me.
From my heart: THANK YOU FOR APPRECIATING ALASKA THE WAY YOU ALL DO. YOUR OWN OPINIONS AND AS A GROUP. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING. JUST IN CASE I FORGOT IT!

Care packages are always good. Although we never really know what city we'll be in until the last day, like Friday, before we fly off. Maybe in New York, where the production outfit that helps Discovery is based...

oh. Well that is ok. So what are you guys up to?. how are things down in d.c ? I have a question for you tj's. How would we beable to keep intouch? like sending emails like email pals instead of pen pals? i mean you guys are all pretty awsome ppls.i hope you guys are doing well!

Why did you choise Anchorage?? Juneau is the capital, and it is not a huge city...it is quaint and peaceful but still packed with fun and adventure!
~~tj_Zach : Yes, your map should have had a totum pole on it...we get the igloo thing way to often, its ok though. It is hard to know about some place you have never been.
Maybe next time when you ALL are here you can see our other magical thing...our wonderful Northern Lights...they are truely very beautiful and breath takeing!
Hopefully if you all do come back you can see more than just Anchorage...like Kake, Hains, Juneau, North Pole or some of the other wonderful smaller islands and villages, it would be well worth your time.
My husband is native, he is Tlinkit and would probbly gladly take any of you fishing for our wonderful salmon as well, I'd gladly take you on some of the trails there or to our beautiful Glaicer Gardens...it is a must see in Juneau, where I live, and very breath takeing.
Please come back and actually see this wonderful state some more.

lilaughingwolf, I have every intention of coming back to Alaska. I really enjoyed myself there. I think it's a beautiful town. I really should've drawn a Totem Pole, you're right. In fact, it's one of my favorite things about the city. I regret being unable to experience some Native American Indian culture while I was there. One day.

Hi shmoozba, you can e-mail me at zach@trymykungfu.com.

quote:

Originally posted by tj_zach:
lilaughingwolf, I have every intention of coming back to Alaska. I really enjoyed myself there. I think it's a beautiful town. I really should've drawn a Totem Pole, you're right. In fact, it's one of my favorite things about the city. I regret being unable to experience some Native American Indian culture while I was there. One day.

Hi shmoozba, you can e-mail me at zach@trymykungfu.com.

Well you missed the wonderful "Celibartion" that the Tlingets do we did it this summer but we do it every two years...if I remember..I'm seriuos you should come and see it, we dance our native dances, sing and there is sooo much food!! We are in our regaila (native clotheing) and it is a three day thing, people come from all over Alaska...some in our well know long boats, it is quite a sight! But it is ONLY done in Juneau...Alaska's capital. There is more native american stuff here too.
Well next itme when you do came back let some of us know and plan to be in this state for a week or longger....we will gladly show you around!! Maybe you can even go dog sleding next time!

I love Alaska! I spent a month travelling on glaciers there. It is one of the most beautiful and naturally wild places you will ever see. It'll be pretty much dark all the time while you're there, so your options are limited. I assume you won't be travelling that far away from anchorage, so these are my suggestions:

Don't stay in a hostel! One of the best things about anchorage is it's hundreds of bed and breakfasts. I highly recommend the walk about town. You'll all be able to fit in their guest house, and it is definitely affordable. The owners are really sweet and will really help you out as much as they can. I'm pretty sure that the male owner is a former congressman, so I'm sure he can give you a lot of info on alaska's history and all that.

As for places to visit, definitely head towards Mt. Aleyeska. It's about 40 minutes outside of anchorage and the drive is beautiful. On the way there stop at beluga point and climb out on the rocks. You can sit there for hours and look for beluga and other whales in the water. On the mountains behind you you'll see a lot of dall sheep. On a really clear day you can see Denali out in the distance from there. There's also a bird/wildlife sanctuary near there. I'd stop and walk around on the board walk. I saw a mom and baby moose roaming around there a few times. If you get a chance to drive to Valdez or Homer I highly recommend it. You can kayak into glacier bay in Valdez and see some of the most specacular glaciers in the world. I think that is definitely something everyone should see at least once in their life. Homer is a small fishing village. The bay is lined with little fishing shacks. The fishermen come in and drop their fish off at local restauraunts that will cook it up for you right away. It's some of the best food I have ever had.

Also, one of the best places to go skydiving is in Palmer, about an hour outside of anchorage. You dive out over some of the glacier valleys. I wanted to do it while I was there, but didn't get a chance. Good luck. You all are so lucky to have this experience. I can't wait to watch!