Last Monday, I mentioned that one of the contacts, I had made while looking for work during the winter season Alaska, had forwarded my information to another. I received an email from that second contact early last week, and and a phone from him call last Friday evening. None of what he and I discussed was encouraging, but I appreciate a realistic assessment to something otherwise. Please take a look at the note from Mikio "Mike" Ito (owner and operator of Asia & Pacific Tours www.alaskaone.com/anchorage/america-pacific-tours-inc.htm) and then I'll relay our phone conversation:
Hello Chris-san,
Than you for the inquiry.
We are looking for tour guide who can work following season.
Winter:
Work location is around Fairbanks
From the end of November through first week of April
What type of work: Tour guide, driver, tour desk and winter gear preparation, etc.
Wage $8:50 ~$12 depends on experience, plus gratuity from clients.
Housing: The company has 3 bed room housing. All facilities are already there.
The company deduct $8 per day from the wage.
It is limited bed room, so can not guarantee single room.
Work compensation: Company offer
Health insurance: A new employee have to wait for three months to enroll.
Summer:
Work location is based at Anchorage.
From the first of June through the middle of September.
Chris-san,
If you have interest, please call me.
I would like to speak with you in Japanese.
Yoroshiku.
Mikio ItoA&P Tours, Inc.
So, there you have it. The conversation we had Friday followed much the same format: the jobs start in late-November and don't pay a whole lot. Mikio said it was everything he could do to keep his skeleton staff working. I understood the pay situation what I didn't understand (until he told me) was the late start date. He asked me to forward my resume and suggested that I stop in to see him when I arrive in Anchorage.
Mikio is not the only game in town. That said, he mentioned that most summer seasonal help was out of town by September 1st. I am still curious about what might be possible and am heading in that direction soon.
Tuesday Morning Start Time
I have been working diligently and expect I will be out Tuesday morning, Wednesday at the very latest! The packing is coming together nicely and the weather is cooperating by dropping the humidity. I am getting some ideas for losing weight (in the car) and am packing so that various items are segmented: tent items in one place, electrical (inverter, cords, etc.) in another, business clothes wrapped up and on the roof, tire irons-jacks-tools in the trunk, blah, blah blah! Anyway, it's coming together.
Point of Clarification
In the earlier blogs there are some pictures of a roof top tent. This went by the wayside because of some damage in shipping. The distributor was very kind in offering to do this. I would have loved a new tent but the distributors contact was dragging his feet. I suggest looking into this type of tent if you are considering a long trip. It's relatively inexpensive ($1,250) when compared to RV alternatives and pops up in seconds, ready for sleeping (with bedding already in it) www.cartopcamper.com.
Gotta stay focused here, talk with you again soon!
Cheers,
Chris
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