"Well, if the choice was Alaska or Russia, I think Alaska was probably the easier one to get to really." A trip to Russia could be arranged, but the trip to Alaska could be arranged much faster and easier for someone with limited resources. All you needed was a passport and the will to get here. "What is there to do so far north? I know it's hard to get things shipped up there. Did you learn the skills of the native peoples?" This was both conversation and true interest. Most of the creature comforts they took for granted were expensive and too difficult to obtain once you got to a certain line in Alaska. How did she survive?