Not so different

My first thought when I stepped off the plane was that I was on a foreign planet. The countryside was so different than anything I had ever seen before. After spending some time, I have found that the Arctic Circle has a lot in common with Arkansas.

I know, you are thinking what about that obvious temperature difference? True it gets a heck of a lot more colder here. Did you know the summers get up to 70? Sure beats the heck out of 100+ heat. Weather is not what I am referring to though.

First of all, these folks are friendly. They are appreciative much like many of my patients back home. They will invite a stranger to dinner or take you on a tour of the town after just meeting you. True Southern hospitality in a different latitude.

Second, they love to go to caribou camp. Sounds a lot like deer camp if you ask me. They are hunters and fisherman. Best of all, the critters are a lot bigger here so double your fun. They eat the things they catch so it is not just for sport.

Third, ATV accidents are nothing new to Arkansans. How many accidents have started with "watch this" or "hold my beer" in Arkansas? Too many. A little bit of common sense goes a long way.

Fourth, kids here will do anything for a sticker. I had a bunch in my pocket at all times. I examed kids without having to hold them down all for something they could put on their shirt. Better yet, the kids here are so excited to get one sticker. None of that I want 2 or 3 stickers requests like I get back home.

Fifth, these folks get excited about wrestling. We get a little crazy over football. I know they are not the same sport but the spirit is the same. After all, where in the tundra would they play football? Wrestling just makes sense because it is inside and physical just like football.

I could go on but you get the point. I have been all over the world. Granted this is in the US but it looks like a foreign country. When you get right down to it, we have a lot in common.