we woke up early this saturday morning. sam had heard from his co-workers that there were hopi basket dances going on this month. we had never been before. i still feel quite sheepish admitting that i know next to nothing about our neighbors, the hopi. all this time growing up on the navajo reservation, and i've never even been to a basket dance. in my defense, i was just an ignorant kid, my mind and energy focused on surviving the misguided social throngs of grade school. anyway, we're back now, and we are taking full advantage of this great adventure.
like i said, we woke up early, early enough to see the sunrise, but not early enough for my mind to register getting the good camera out to capture it's magnificence. meh, next time.
we stuffed kids in the minivan as fast as we could, drove to the village atop second mesa, but were met with people walking down the steep road. darn, we missed the first dance.
much to our happiness, we were told they were breaking for breakfast and would start again later. we also heard our tummies rumbling and thought getting a bite to eat would be a good idea.
we went exploring and drove to the local hotel and restaurant (i had no idea!). we sat down to a buffet style breakfast and omelet station. the food was good, the kids were wiggly, and by the end of it all, the pancakes were on the floor. we left a hefty tip and hurried back to the mesas.
taking photographs is absolutely not allowed in any of the villages. i clearly understand why. when indigenous culture is easily exploited and marketed (inaccurately so), i don't blame them.
the beauty and sincerity needs to be preserved, and so this is as far as the camera goes.
we drove up the curvy and twisty roads. higher and higher until we could see the tops of san fransisco peaks in flagstaff - hours away from hopi. the sun rays beaming through the rocks and landing onto the sandy earth below was incredible to see.
the pueblos seemed to be an extension of rocky mesa, wooden ladders jutting up here and there. kids ran from home to home, playing hide and go seek, laughing and squealing in delight.
the air was smoky from the juniper wood burning in the pueblo stoves, warming chilly hands.
i felt like a stepped back into time.
sam and i each grabbed a baby and walked up the steep steps carved into the side of the towering mesa. the fat baby made my lungs heave and gulp for air.
the older kids had called out to one of their classmates, and he joined us.
the talked and smiles spread across their faces.
it made me happy.
we reached the top where all the pueblos connect, creating tiny alleyways and a village square.
we climbed the wooden ladder securing a spot on top of the pueblo roofs with all the other people from the village. kids sat at the very edges, feet dangling, chatting excitedly. i prayed silently through my mini heart attacks that no one would fall off.
we had no idea what to expect. there were other visitors around, their hosts explaining meanings and what was going to happen. i wish i could hear them.
mosiah sat on the stone connecting the pueblos. the sun shone on his plumb cheeks, making his eyes squint. i wish i had my camera.
my kids saw other kids from school and pretty soon they were all running across the roof playing house, tag, and don't touch the chimneys. then, there was a faint sound of voices trailing on the light wind. the women had gathered, lined up with their baskets making their way into the village square. they circled around until everyone was in. it was a gentle rocking of ivories, reds, and blacks. those were the colors of their dresses and shawls.
sometime during the middle of their songs, the dancers with feathers began to throw gifts out.
people cheered and there was a thrill in the crowd.
i didn't notice at first, but suddenly there seemed to be a slow crawl towards the middle. the bigger, tougher guys had emerged. what was going on?
and then, the prized gifts were thrown.
there was so much energy. it was so much fun.
we even cheered for isaiah and makayah's friend when he emerged victorious with his gift after wrestling it free from two other kids who had pounced as well.
when the dance was over and the calm had settled, we climbed back down the ladder, walked carefully back down the stone mesa steps, and hopped into the car.
on saturdays we drive into town to stock up on our groceries.
we've made a little tradition of stopping in leupp at my uncle's food truck.
it was great visiting with him, laughing, making connections.
we continued on, running errands, buying food in bulk, and then heading back home by nightfall.
oh yes, and this was our stop at the mall. daddy needed a haircut, and we got to play.
saturdays are quickly becoming my favorite. i know it wears sam out, but i really look forward to our little trips.
the end.
