I’ve met a lot of interesting people over the years and in my travels. Grave robbers who steal from ancient South American tombs for instance. One of whom we still consider a personal friend. A couple of Australians who have served complete five year contracts in the French Foreign Legion, neither of which I would consider personal friends. Afghan arms dealers and carpet sellers…. coffee pickers….. I could bore you further and perhaps infinitely… but I would rather tell you about someone I met closer to home.
I was reminded of Albert the Inupiat Eskimo today as I drove home to my house in tropical Florida. You see there was a very large dog riding the back seat of a car enjoying completely the fact that its immense head was out in the breeze. Albert also enjoyed this very same thing. Albert would drive his car with his head out the window simply because he loved nothing more than the wind whipping over his abnormally large skull.
On the offer of a job Albert had traveled down to New Hampshire from his home town of Teller, Alaska. Teller being by the way, about seventy miles of dirt road north of Nome. That job, surprisingly and unfortunately lasted a week forcing Albert to seek employment at the same place I did. Albert had a wonderful Indian/Eskimo accent that sort of enhanced all the terrific things he had to say like, “One time…my Mother killed a baby seal with a hammer.”…. and
“Did ya know Richie that if ya skin a baby seal and turn him inside out it makes a great carry bag?” …… well I didn’t know and further, Albert seemed delighted to hear that he was the first person I had ever met that actually knew what a seal tasted like.
“ Taste like fish…but the meat is purple.” and Albert went on to lay claim that his mother and father were the first people in Teller to posses a television set.
“ Probably a moot point with out electricity wasn’t it Albert?” I asked
“ Very true Richie….and when they did get it…the reception sucked.”
I’ve tried to contact Albert on the internet from time to time but in all likely hood he’s busy chasing reindeer. I hope he finds the time to tell a story about me sometime…..up there in Alaska.
