There are many questions that we get from adults and kids. You may have some of those same questions. We'll try to answer some of the ones we get asked most often.
1. Do you live in an igloo?
No. We live in an apartment building, and some people live in houses. No one in Barrow lives in an igloo.
2. How cold does it get? Winter temperatures typically range from -15 to -40, but the wind chill factor can seriously lower the temperature. In the summer, we might see temperatures reach 50, but it is more typical to see mid-forties.
3. Are there penguins there?
No. Penguins live in Antarctica. We have polar bears, which would be bad news for penguins.
4. Are there really Eskimos?
Yes. In Barrow, there is a large population of Inupiat Eskimos.
5. When do you see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights can be seen across the northern slope of Alaska throughout the winter months.
6. Do people drive cars there?
Yes, many people in Barrow drive cars. Cars need to be brought in by plane or boat because there are no roads that lead into Barrow from the rest of Alaska. We also have taxi cabs and public buses. Many children come to school by bus.
7. What do you do for fun?
Barrow has a recreation center where people can play a variety of sports, including basketball and volleyball. The high school has an indoor swimming pool. The town also has a roller rink, ice skating rink, and public library. There are several places to rent videos and many people have cable or satellite television. There are also many activities that take place through the community.
8. What food do you eat?
We have a grocery store here, so we can get pretty much all the same food items that anyone else can, but with less selection. We have some restaurants here, but none that are also located in the lower 48 (sorry, no McDonalds!). There are also some traditional foods that are still eaten, including caribou, seal, and muktuk (boiled whale blubber).
9. How do people dress?
Most people dress the same as you probably dress. We do need to have warm coats and clothing for the winter months, and warm boots for the snow and ice.
