I moved into my home away from home, Quonset hut #166A located at the old site of the U.S. Navel Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Barrow Alaska.
Quonset Hut #166! located on the old site of the U.S. Navel Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Barrow Alaska. May 18th, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
It looked a little rough from the outside, but as I opened the door I was happy to enter a tiny, freshly painted set of toasty warm rooms with several beds covered in down quilts. A perfect warm hideaway from the Arctic cold!
Lisa Seff with Quonset Hut roommate Cristina Casillo working on their homework assignments. May 18th, 2012. Photo by Ute Kade.
Not long after unpacking we heard that an Inupiat whaling crew from Barrow had raised a whaling oar on their rooftop to signal to the community that it was time to share the whale they had recently caught off of the icy coast. The family welcomed us into their home and graced us with a bag of various parts of the whale including the skin and blubber. I tentatively tasted the whale meat, which had a strong, fishy taste. I moved on to nibble the blubber and skin and found it to be a little bit chewy, with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Fresh whale meat caught by Barrow whaling crew and shared with community. May 18th, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
After thanking our hosts for their hospitality we walked across to the ice to enjoy the view of their whaling boats resting on the frozen Arctic, and then it was back to NARL!
A whaling boat rests on the Arctic sea ice off the coast of Barrow Alaska. May 18th, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Answer to the last Arctic Question of the Day!
Barrow is the northernmost point on the continent, and is located 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is often referred to as the “Top of the World”.