Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We had the opportunity to travel to Barrow this weekend and observe Nalukataq, or the Whaling Fesitval. The whales were taken this spring and they celebrate in June each year by distributing the Maktaq to each of the families in the community.
Wow, some of those Inuit could be Koreans or Mongolians!
Interesting how what looks like ice is on the muktuk. Do they store the muktuk in a freezer, or is that just how it comes?
BTW I took a look at your other albums too. The Barrow and Anchorage grocery prices ones are fascinating! Interesting that prime rib is only $2 / pound more expensive than chicken there. Transport costs must play a very large role in the high prices.
Wow, some of those Inuit could be Koreans or Mongolians!
Interesting how what looks like ice is on the muktuk. Do they store the muktuk in a freezer, or is that just how it comes?
BTW I took a look at your other albums too. The Barrow and Anchorage grocery prices ones are fascinating! Interesting that prime rib is only $2 / pound more expensive than chicken there. Transport costs must play a very large role in the high prices.
The actual whale harvest begins in March. The Barrow whaling teams have taken 14 whales this season and are now celebrating by distributing the catch to all community members. I do believe they freeze the blubber and meat and then cut it into those sections. It would seem that it would be much easier to cut when frozen, something I should have asked. The temperature while we were there was 30-40 so things didn't thaw too quickly even being outside.
There is no road system so everything is either flown in or on an annual barge that makes it up.
Good for you! My parents went to Barrow in 1981 and never stopped talking about it. My dad framed the menu from the Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Company. I still have it in my kitchen. The raindeer steak, chili and onion rings are crossed out because they had run out and didn't know when more would be available.
They put my mother in the blanket toss. She was always game for anything. Going clear up to Barrow was her idea in the first place.
(A hot beef sandwhich with mashed potatoes was $5.95. In 1981 that was tremendously high and reflected just how far away Barrow is.)
Congrats on the trip to Barrow, not many can say they have been there...but no thanks to the muktuk
Whale meat/blubber is not my idea of a good meal either but with Cherrios going for 10 bucks a box in Barrow who knows what direction my appetite might go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DewDropInn
Good for you! My parents went to Barrow in 1981 and never stopped talking about it. My dad framed the menu from the Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Company. I still have it in my kitchen. The raindeer steak, chili and onion rings are crossed out because they had run out and didn't know when more would be available.
They put my mother in the blanket toss. She was always game for anything. Going clear up to Barrow was her idea in the first place.
(A hot beef sandwhich with mashed potatoes was $5.95. In 1981 that was tremendously high and reflected just how far away Barrow is.)
Sounds like the menu is a collectors item. $5.95 would certainly be a bargain today. I worked there for 6 weeks in the mid 80's. Not much has changed except they have an incredible football field!
Sounds like the menu is a collectors item. $5.95 would certainly be a bargain today. I worked there for 6 weeks in the mid 80's. Not much has changed except they have an incredible football field!
The menu is a mimmeographed sheet of paper where someone had typed out what was available. There was a "May We Suggest" New York Steak for $14.00. Add $10.00 for lobster.
My parents especially loved the people of Barrow. (My mother was a natural blonde/blue eyes so I think she attracted her fair share of attention. I don't know about now, but thirty years ago there weren't that many people gong to Barrow.)
Again, I really enjoyed your report and the photos! I recognized a few places my parents had also been.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
There was a "May We Suggest" New York Steak for $14.00. Add $10.00 for lobster. 
