Cruise ship ports question (Metlakatla: environment, travel, jobs)

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

I've likely made my last trip to Alaska.

Good lord, I hope so. There's nothing that irks me more than a touron with the gall to tell me that after his six hours in the Red Dog Saloon he knows more about my community than I do after a lifetime there.

Metla and I are going to be sinking a couple this season, I can tell.

[Rance]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Gosh. I came in this thread because I've always so enjoyed Alaska when I've visited, as a tourist. From my cruise ship. And ... gasp ... I even entered some so-called "tourist traps."

But the bad attitude shown here towards the industry, but more importantly the people with the money that supports the industry, that keeps your towns alive eases any regret I had in knowing I've likely made my last trip to Alaska.

I'll try to forget I wandered in here to see all the bitterness, and retain my happy thoughts of a beautiful area.

If all you've done is cruised through here on a ship...you have only seen an inkling of what the state has to offer. And all you've seen really, is the tourist traps.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Rance

If all you've done is cruised through here on a ship...you have only seen an inkling of what the state has to offer. And all you've seen really, is the tourist traps.

Rance is right. On a cruise ship you're not even seeing the port cities, really. All you're seeing is some outsiders view of what they think Alaska should be.

[Metlakatla]

You can certainly see some beautiful scenery from the ships. But please don't think that tells you anything about the people who really live here. And don't insult us by thinking that you keep our communities alive. LONG TERM RESIDENTS OF SE ARE MOVING AWAY because there is nothing left for them in the port cities and if you think for one bloody minute that the twelve dollar an hour jobs created by the touron industry are going to support families, you are cordially invited to THINK AGAIN.

I remember when the jewelry stores first started coming into Ketchikan. An offshore company approached my aunt about buying her downtown property. She refused their offer based on personal ethics and a sense of responsibility towards the community she'd lived in most of her life and raised her family in. Of course they have it now. Thank God she ain't alive to see what's been done to the place that she loved.

Practice your aim, Xa'at.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Rance

And all you've seen really, is the tourist traps.

So how much is a tourist pelt worth these days?

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Practice your aim, Xa'at.

I have terrible hand-eye co-ordination. What would be more fun would be to hack into their navigation network and steer them onto a reef.

[Rance]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

So how much is a tourist pelt worth these days?

They are so abundant...they are virtually worthless! But you can eat'em in a blizzard!

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

I have terrible hand-eye co-ordination. What would be more fun would be to hack into their navigation network and steer them onto a reef.

Normally I would concur, but a ship adrift is likely to take out a few whales in the process. Sinking them in deep water might be a better solution.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Normally I would concur, but a ship adrift is likely to take out a few whales in the process. Sinking them in deep water might be a better solution.

Indeed. Perhaps instead of sending them crashing into a reef, I just send them out to sea. When they show up in Japan a week later it will be hilarious!

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Indeed. Perhaps instead of sending them crashing into a reef, I just send them out to sea. When they show up in Japan a week later it will be hilarious!

Or they could get ice locked in the Bering Sea. They would make good floating hotels for workers on the Slope. I wonder if polar bears could climb up the sides?