New Beginnings in Alaska: Workaway Life, Unexpected Friendships, and Pancake Night

Arrival and Workaway: Settling in with Wil and the Gang

By the time the train reached its destination, I was ready to meet my Workaway host, Wil. After a slightly overpriced cab ride, I arrived at a house that, at first glance, gave me a bit of a scare. The driveway full of cars, RVs, and a suspicious smell had me worried I’d walked into a scene from "Breaking Bad." But my initial panic was unfounded—everyone turned out to be super nice. Marijuana is legal here, unlike in Norway, so I’m sure we’ll have some interesting discussions about it.

I cooked dinner for me and one of the residents, but the smell of "pytt i panne" brought everyone to the stove. Before long, we were all eating together, sharing food and stories. One of the girls was moving to Texas the next day, so the evening had a bittersweet tone. I finally went to bed at 2 a.m., ready for the days ahead.

Monday, 14th of October

Shopping and Cleaning

Wil and I ran errands today—picking up supplies from Home Depot and groceries for the house, including eggs for the upcoming pancake night. I also gave the bathroom a thorough clean, making sure everything was spotless.

Tuesday, 15th of October

Workawayer Life: Fixing the Balcony and a Strange Pool Experience

As a Workawayer, I pitch in a few hours of work each day. Today, I helped Wil install insulation on his bedroom balcony, which was tricky with a tape measure marked in inches and feet (curse you, non-metric system!). Despite the mess, the job went well, and a vacuum took care of the aftermath.

I rewarded myself with a trip to the local pool, just nine minutes walk away. The sauna and heated pool were relaxing, but the vibe was odd—people using their phones in the jacuzzi, sitting fully clothed in the sauna. It was baffling!

Dinner was a treat—Kai and Wyatt made an amazing squash dish, though it looked nothing like the squash I’m used to back home in Norway.

Wednesday, 16th of October

City Bus Drama and Pancake Night

Today’s task was clearing out the space under the stairs, sorting items for donation or disposal. Later, I headed into the city for dinner before pancake night. (Since I am allergic to egg yokes) I went to a place with good reviews for its food and views. However, the “view” turned out to be just water, and it was a bit chilly, but the fish tacos were decent.

The bus tickets here are quite cheap, only 2$, but to be able to buy them in the app you need internet, and mine has it mind of its own. So as I was trying to get it to work and fondeling with my money the bus ride back became a fiasco—the driver was rude, asked if I was over 60 (rude much?), and I had to pay $5 with no change. The cherry on top? My internet suddenly started working after all that hassle!

Pancake night was almost a disaster—we forgot to buy eggs! Luckily, Corey’s girlfriend saved the day. The pancakes were a hit, even if they were eaten like burritos, which would definitely shock my mom back in Norway. I also served Norwegian chocolate for dessert, a sweet end to a chaotic day.

Thursday, 17th of October – Cleaning and Sorting

Today was all about deep cleaning the entryway. Ceiling, walls, furniture—all spotless by the end of the day. Corey and his girlfriend treated me to dinner, which was a nice reward after a productive day.

This Alaskan adventure has been an incredible mix of scenic train rides, cultural differences, and community living. With the journey just beginning, I can’t wait to see what else is in store!