People in Nome tend to expect something of their friends and neighbors – something more.
More what, exactly, I couldn’t tell you. But a peculiar blend of freedom and responsibility seems to fall onto your shoulders as soon as you get off the plane here. People tend to believe that you can do – or, if not do, handle – just about anything that comes your way.
Never driven a snow machine? That’s cool. But don’t be surprised if a friend simply shows you where to find the throttle and says: “You’ll figure it out.” What about cross-country skiing? You’ll find more people willing to lend you their skis than people questioning whether or not you know how to use them.
Now, to long-time Nomites, this probably doesn’t seem like a big deal. But to those of us who immigrated from Outside, let me tell you: It’s absolutely bonkers.
You’re going to let me drive your car? Seriously? Like… what if I crash it? What if I get it buried up to the windshield in a drift of snow, or it falls through the ice into Norton Sound? (Don’t worry; I haven’t actually destroyed anyone’s property. Yet.) Despite the very real possibility that untold misfortune could befall their possessions, people in Nome appear willing to extend an unreasonable amount of faith and generosity to near strangers.
And that generosity isn’t restricted to their vehicles and sports equipment. When it comes to taking on new roles within the community, the freedom is again overwhelming.
Want to help out with a play in town? Awesome. You’re the new set director. Signed up to lifeguard? Great! You can teach swim lessons, too. Think you’d make a good EMT? You’ve got to go through training – but we can make that happen.
Of course, to paraphrase the late Ben Parker: With unprecedented freedom, comes an equally unprecedented amount of responsibility. After all, if someone’s trusting me – me! – to drive an ambulance, I’m sure as heck going to do everything I can not to let them (or any of my patients) down.
And that’s how Nome gets under your skin. Not with its sights, or activities, or even its people – though all are undoubtedly amazing – but with its sheer infectious potential.
Living here, it’s easy to imagine that anything is possible. That you can participate in, or build, anything you’re willing to dedicate energy toward. And while the potential for failure is bundled right in with everything else, the unique brand of freedom that Nome offers seems (most days) worth all the safety in the world.
