Sometimes I am extremely pleased about successfully conducting myself through normal social situations.  I don’t usually care for small talk, but when I perceive that my conversation partner and I both leave an interaction feeling neither bemused nor put out, I am surprised and somewhat gratified.  My success must mean that I didn’t accidentally give someone a dirty look.

There are plenty of people to meet around here, and in the buildings we frequent, mostly researchers.  Evidently, when we trickle into town for food or a run to the airport, we are pretty recognizable. One gentleman, looking for some takers in a pick-up soccer game, spotted us right away at the grocery store, specifically because Jeremy and Rob hadn’t shaved since Michigan.

Two groups that we see most often around here are researchers from the University of Texas El Paso and Florida International University.  Some of these people have been around since Bob put in time in the field instead of hiring foolish lackeys like us to do it.  Since we are the only vegetation people, the nature of other projects means slightly different field seasons for some people. A few researchers are leaving already this week, and some, such as the sea ice people, were packing up as we were settling in.

Even among the Inupiat people, most of whom live in Barrow proper rather than the college-and-research region and most of whom we have yet to meet, there are some familiar faces. I always scoff at television shows that have recurring “around-town” sorts of characters, since I haven’t ever really experienced the kind of community where people like that exist. Barrow, however, is small enough that already I both recognize and have seen on several occasions people that I have yet to interact with personally, like “Tundra Tours Guy,” “Woman who works at the Office” and “Extremely Enthusiastic Blanket-Tossee.”

Among the entire population, both seasonal and permanent, though it is a small world it is a diversely representative one. I have met people from Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, India, Japan, Russia, Italy, France and several other places that I am probably leaving out. These people give Barrow mixed reviews; some are enthusiastic as they pack their last bag, and others seem to really enjoy the atmosphere. As for me, I like it so far, and I can see why so many people are returners, some on their fourth or fifth consecutive summer. Sure, some of them can’t quit, in practical terms, after investing so much time and money into their Big Project, but Rob’s and Jeremy’s enthusiastic nostalgia is palpable as they show Jean and I the various attractions. I can’t say no to nostalgia.