Friday, I took the two-hour train ride on Amtrak from Albuquerque to Gallup where Gina met me. We had dinner at Applebees, then made the 45 minute drive to her place in Fort Defiance. Her house, including others are in the amidst an old settlement on a canyon floor.
This area has been inhabited by the Navajo Tribe for centuries, except for four years (1864-1868) when they were forced by the US Government to relocate. The historical 300 mile "Long walk" had its starting point here. The relocation proved to be unsuccessful and the Navajo were allowed to return to their lands.
I took early morning walks in the canyon. Photographed a few of the many old buildings now vacant and falling apart. The rez dogs unnerved me a little. The dogs roam free. have loud snarly barks and sneaked up behind me. Sort of like the stray dogs of Maranatha Colony.
It was at least 20 degrees cooler than Albuquerque and just barely spring. Saturday morning, on the way to Gallup, we stopped at Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, to take pictures of the "window." In Gallup, Gina did a few errands. We had a thin crust pizza at the Silver Stallion and bought organic healthy bread to take back. We made stops at the public library and watched the Kentucky Derby race.
On the way home we visited a co-worker Tatiana, her husband Sergei, and their 3-month old mutt Oscar. The puppy was kidnapped from a rez dog that had five pups. The house they live in, and which belongs to the tribe, is a beautiful old stone and timber house with flag stones in the backyard that mark significant events of the tribe's history. Made me think of Hampi where day to day life is conducted among ancient historic landmarks.
It was at least 20 degrees cooler than Albuquerque and just barely spring. Saturday morning, on the way to Gallup, we stopped at Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, to take pictures of the "window." In Gallup, Gina did a few errands. We had a thin crust pizza at the Silver Stallion and bought organic healthy bread to take back. We made stops at the public library and watched the Kentucky Derby race.
On the way home we visited a co-worker Tatiana, her husband Sergei, and their 3-month old mutt Oscar. The puppy was kidnapped from a rez dog that had five pups. The house they live in, and which belongs to the tribe, is a beautiful old stone and timber house with flag stones in the backyard that mark significant events of the tribe's history. Made me think of Hampi where day to day life is conducted among ancient historic landmarks.
On Mother's Day we had puris and potato, and a chocolate dessert that I had made and carried to FD. In the afternoon we dug up the hard ground in the backyard for a garden plot.
I returned by train Monday morning. All in all a lovely time.
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