Northern Exposure, Episode I
Posted by Dave (in Anchorage, Alaska)
Greetings! The Whale Defenders team is starting to gather here in Anchorage for the International Whaling Commission meeting (IWC59). In fact, the meeting is already sort of underway - in private, scientific sessions. Next week sees the kick off of the public part of the meeting - and that's when it gets interesting. Really interesting - this is the organisation, don't forget, that's supposed to decide on the fate or the world's whales.
I'm currently sitting in the cosy little Greenpeace office in downtown Anchorage, with a view of Cook Inlet's Knik Arm. Coupled with jet lag, the amount of daylight is bewildering - some 19 hours a day - even after spending February in the Antarctic, on board the Esperanza.
Up till this afternoon, the weather was dull and rainy - but the sun broke out, and the raincoats are now packed away. It's now pretty warm, and Anchorage's spectacular backdrop of mountains is visble from all sides. The city itself is small, walkable, very friendly, and right on the edge of a huge wilderness. I've taken an instant liking to the place,
I've not spotted any major urban wildlife yet, but I did experience two my colleagues - one of them who has lived here, spending several minutes discussing the bizarre sight of moose wandering the streets, urinating and defecating. Lovely.
Then, Sara told me that some of the souvenir shops stock minature moose that... poop on demand.
When I smell a good story, I have to follow it up, if only for the benefit of the blog. Earlier today I found myself in a tourist shop, squeezing keyrings representing bears, huskies and moose - all of which poop. There was even a salmon that spawned when squeezed. I kid you not. And you can also buy 100% genuine moose poo. In a jar.
So here's a small, cute moose, with "Alaska" tattooed on his side. Cute, eh?
Here's what happen when you squeeze him. Yuck.
Now back to the aquatic mammals...
In Anchorage on Sunday next? Join our Big Blue March and Aerial Art Event »
- Dave
