For Good

As a familiar song from the musical Wicked states... "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn if we let them. And we help them in return."

I truly believe that each and every person we met on this 10 day journey has touched our lives and given us something to bring back to the east coast whether it be hope, appreciation for nature, patience, etc. 

I think about Ruth living with such an open heart and endless generosity. I want to adapt some of it into my life. I realized, listening to her talk about kinship, that it is something that we all could use a little more of in the society that we live in. Sure, we have our friends and family, but rather than just tolerance of other people, we need acceptance and a welcoming attitude just as Ruth had. 

Judging by what Ms. Bormann said about the texts from Evelyn, I also believe that we came into the lives of Evelyn and Ruth for a reason. (relating back to "and we help them in return.")

However, I don't think that the only people who had a great impact on my experience these past 10 days were Ruth, Evelyn, Andrew, the Cortese's, and the students we met. I think that getting to know you all -as in students/teachers- has also helped me enjoy the experience more and more. Maybe I would have felt this way after spending 10 days with all of you anywhere, but I really think that the places in which we spent them together has helped me see how much I appreciate you all. Part of me is kind of wishing that I had another year at Gill to get to know you more. That is not possible, but I hope everyone will keep in touch with me! 

Hannah and Emily: Have a wonderful time during the next three years! Trust me, it goes fast!

Laura and Nick: Junior year will have its tough times, but you'll get through it and do GREAT! Good luck and have fun :) 

Jess, Sophie, Liv, Natalie, and Jake: Senior year.... woah. I hope you all enjoy your last year of high school! It'll go by so fast. Enjoy it! It's such an exciting time with college and everything. Feel free to contact me if you ever visit UDel :)

Maggie, Christian, and Malcolm: I'll miss you all during graduation. (I hope you miss me too) Good luck next year and I hope we all stay in touch for a long time. Maggie: road trip thing is totally happening. COLLEGE!?!?!?!?!!??! Oh my goshhh!!

Ms. McGrover and Mr. Hodgeson: I never had either of you as a teacher, but I am so glad that I got to know you during this Unit! Thank you so much for making my last Unit unforgettable. 

Ms. Bormann: Words can not describe how thankful I am to you for making this Unit possible. We were able to do things that most people will never be able to do. You made this experience one of a kind. I truly am grateful. 

So to wrap up one of the greatest experiences in my life....

Alright so I'm sorta stealing Ms. McGrover's idea and just making this post to thank you all for an amazing experience. I'm not going to repeat what I said during the second de-breifing because I really do hope you remembered what I shared with you... and I'm not gonna lie, it was really hard for me to share that with all those other kids and adults in the room, but I felt so comfortable with all of you, I think that may have made it easier to explain. So thanks for being a friend, and making my first Unit absolutely amazing and something I will never forget. We've had so many laughs, good times, and memories and I'm glad that we had such a good group. I'll miss those leaving this year and I'm happy that next year, I'll see some more friendly faces in the halls.

Good Bye... Adios.... Auf Wiedersehen... Peace. <3

What I Have Gathered...

This trip has given me so much to take away from. Every experience has provided me with something new to understand. Coming out to New Mexico and Arizona was the greatest way to escape the craze and chaos of life on the East coast. The warmth and kindness that is shown by the people here is much more powerful than the people back home. To see and experience the lives of Andrew, Joyce, Ruth, Evelyn, and Polly truly shows me that focusing on the large things in life is the way to go. The Navajo people base their lives around kinship (K é), balance of the soul and connection between the human spirit and the Earth . I believe that the Navajo people, with their on living culture have a mental and physical tie with the Earth. The land of the reservation and the canyon speaks to you. You can feel it radiating the love back that has been given to it over the years. You don't get that in New Jersey even if you are in a beautiful preserve or park. There is such a powerful feeling that is perceived from the land and the animals and the people. Their spirit radiates and empowers. As I walked Mrs. Roessel's property on the reservation, a sense of calm washed over me. I felt my inner self become centered and pulled into one. That is one thing that the Navajo people focus on: balance. To know that an 80 year old woman accepted 13 high school students into her home, is one of the most humbling thoughts. The Navajo people are so willing to give back and that is something that we all need to observe and strive harder to do. To see Andrew walk the canyon and descend the mountain face was breath taking. As we followed behind, stumbling and weary, he carelessly flowed down the twisted and rocky paths. When he walked through the trees, he effortlessly found the most comfortable place to step in the sand. When he plodded through the water, his jeans never got a drop of water on them. These are just the beginning of examples of how the Navajo people have an incredible bond with their Mother Earth. The Mother Earth that they have worked so amazingly hard to acquire a relation with. This trip has been an eye opening experience and is something that I will never forget. ♥

To the most incredible group of people

Spending these past 10 days with you all has been a life-changing experience. I would like to take some time, as I sit in this Super 8 Motel in Fort Sumner, to say a little something to each and every one of you. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to have spent with you all. I have gained so much as a teacher, a mentor, and a fellow human being. You have all touched me in some significant way that shakes me to my core.

Gary: you must be, by far, the coolest dude I have ever met. Thank you for sharing your stories with me on the open road. Thank you for driving us all over the desert, and for taking us to the movies... twice. Haha. I will never forget the warmth and genuine kindness you have shown us on this trip.

Dave: I wish I knew you better before this Unit. You are an amazing educator, someone who really thinks about what we should be doing and why we should be doing it. You are real with the kids, and that has shown me to be more real, too. Please keep in touch next year.

Christian: What an incredible young man you are. I have never met such a respectful, honest, and genuine high schooler before. You blow me away. You are not just kind because it's what you should do... You are kind because you genuinely care. Thank you for sharing your gifts of song, humor, kindness and compassion with me on this Unit.

Malcolm: You have wonderful insights into other people. Although you are at times quiet, it is your constant inquisitive nature that strikes me. Thank you for sharing your interests with me. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you.

Hayley: Thank you for your laughter, deep compassion and kindness throughout this trip. You have shared some of your loves with me... Such as hiking... And I truly hope that we will remain in contact wherever your life takes you. Thank you.

Maggie: I'm not going to lie, I see myself in you a little. Haha. You are crazed with laughter and joy, yet remain respectful and insightful. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to let go and laugh, and enjoy what we have all experienced together on this incredible journey. I know I have only known you for 10 days, but I will miss you terribly next year. Please keep in touch, and stay true to who you are and what you believe in always.

Natalie: I have really learned how sweet, caring, funny, and eager you are on this trip. I know I had you in class, but nothing compares to the imprint you have left on me here. Your honesty and devotion to doing what is right makes me reflect on my own thoughts and behaviors. Thank you for talking to me as a person. I have learned a great deal from you, and I hope you have learned from me too.

Jake: Ms. Summers said you were awesome, but she had it all wrong... You are way more than that. Our conversations in the Canyon de Chelly really opened my eyes to who you are. I cannot thank you enough for just being yourself. You are so incredibly talented and genuinely caring, honest, funny, and insightful. There were times on this Unit, I'm not gonna lie, that I felt exhausted, drained, and like I just had enough... But all I had to do was look at you and see the fire in your eyes and the love you had for all that you were experiencing in order to wake up and realize the amazing opportunities and experiences that lay right in front of me. Thank you.

Jess: first of all, your name rocks. Haha. But seriously... I knew you were awesome when I had you in class, but spending time with you on this Unit has been amazing. You have shown me your love of nature, life, laughter, and joy. I know there must have been times on the res that you felt drained, dirty, and... well, maybe just didnt want to be there anymore... but you still dove straight in with this passion to learn and grow. Thank you for sharing this with me.

Liv: Although you may appear to be quiet on the outside, you have spoken loudly and clearly through your actions on this Unit. After reading your blog earlier, I found myself choking up. You have gained so much from this incredible experience, and I want you to know that I have gained a lot too. Thank you for coming on this Unit and being a part of it.

Sophie: this week has been particularly difficult for both of us. I know we have not spoken about it to each other, but I want you to know how much I genuinely respect, admire, and honor you for keeping a smile on your face and going through this Unit with laughter and interest. The other night at dinner you almost made me spit my drink across the table more than twice. You are a very courageous and fun-loving person with so much to give, and I thank you for sharing that with me.

Laura: I did not really know you before this, but I am so glad that I know you now. Sometimes I look at students from Gill who get involved with community service, etc, and I ask myself... Are you doing this for the resume or because it is your calling? You have a calling. You have shown me a part of yourself that wants to give without a need for reward. You would spend time getting to know everyone, including me, and sharing yourself and all your gifts with us. Thank you for coming on this Unit.

Nick: although Hodge nicknamed you Billy Sky because of your last name, he has done so aptly. You do reach for the stars. You have surprised me time and time again on this trip with your talents, insights, and laughter. Thank you for being a part of this fantastic journey.

Emily: I did not really know you before this Unit, but I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to get to know you. We have a great deal in common, and I have enjoyed learning from you. Your latest blog made me smile so wide. I am so happy you came on this trip.

Hannah: thank you for giving me the opportunity to get to know you outside of the classroom. You have so many ideas, insights, and different perspectives. I feel like you have grown a great deal on this trip, and I know that I have grown from spending time with you too.


And I have saved the best for last...

Tammy: Words cannot express my gratitude. You are truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring person I have ever met. I know that I have gained so much from my experiences on this incredible journey with my students and fellow teachers, but I am truly grateful for having been given the opportunity to meet and learn from you. You have taught me the value of listening and patience. I have been humbled time and time again in your presence. You are the rock to this Unit. You have provided so much for so many these past 10 days... and all the days up to this in the planning and preparations. When you introduced me as your fellow colleague to Evelyn, I found myself almost near tears. Thank you for accepting me into this sacred space that is your life. Thank you for showing me the beauty in things I have overlooked. Thank you for this opportunity. No matter where our paths may take us, I hope to always stay in touch.



Thank you everyone for your warmth, generosity, and compassion. Thank you all for your laughter and joy. Thank you all for listening and for speaking. I cannot possibly express my sincere gratitude.

Love,
Jess

If I could talk to a Bosque Redondo prisoner...

...you'll see Canyon de Chelly again - Stay Strong.

The Past Three (or four?) Days: A Novel

Because I LOVE blogging sooooooooooo much, I'm making tonight's post extra long and filled with every little detail of the past few days which I have missed. (for that I am sorry, but I can't just make internet appear everywhere) sorry if there are mistakes, I'm tired and writing a lot.... so.....

Let's start off with a question:
Have you ever slept on dirt?

Well I have, even before this trip.... and that first time, it was a terrible experience.... hence the fact I was in the middle of a humid forest listening to mosquitoes buzz around my ears all night...

However, sleeping in a hogan was a rather a interesting and more positive experience. To be honest, yet not to brag for I know not everyone actually slept, I slept pretty well... This might have been the result of the hours of baseball we played that day on the reservation (I pitched) or the heat and dryness... My bet would be the baseball... That can take the breath right away from you. Maybe it's both, I don't know... So before even falling asleep, what should I have decided to do....? Stargaze? What an excellent idea.

Stargazing in Arizona is so much better than in Jersey, let me tell you... in Jersey you look up and see four? five? if you're lucky; six stars? maybe the big dipper? Well in the middle of a dessert, with barely any lights, and a whole lot of nothing, you don't have to look further than the tree line to see at least one star. It's like a blanket of stars over you, everywhere you look there's a new constellation or cluster of stars. Some of us, (cough, cough) tried star tripping.... which resulted in many thorns the the feet and dizziness, but it was all fun in the end.... We were even lucky to see a few shooting stars, which was an exciting experience, by the sound of everyones screams and squeals, for the entire group.

This was followed by two more days on the reservation filled with making Fry Bread, an explanation of the Navajo culture, as well as learning a bit of the language, and a new addition to our many sports; soccer. Also it was Jake's birthday and we celebrated and we had cake and it was really fun, and a surprise so, yay!

So of course every trip has it's breath-taking, mind-boggling, favorite, never-forget experience... If you've been on a trip without one, think harder, but this unit's one, for me, was Canyon de Chelly. For the first part of the visit, we drove around the rim, looking at some cool views, interesting sites, the whole shi-bang, but I think the best part was when we actually started to hike down INTO the canyon... People still live in it, and I don't blame them... the view from everywhere along that 5 (ish) mile hike was absolutely beautiful. Along this hike, I saw what a lot of people don't normally get to see, and this was ancient pictures on the walls of the canyon, which were up pretty high, which makes me wonder how on earth they got up there.. but anyway the walk was beautiful and at one point we were able to take off our shoes and walk through the river... That was really fun, especially running through puddle-like sections and not realizing how deep they were and totally just soaking our shorts. I'd post pictures like some other people on here, but I do not have my connector thing.... so that's not an option... don't get me wrong, I'd love to post a few, but I can't... ANYWAY aside from the rocks and drawings and such, we saw some wild horses every so often which is just so rare.... and beautiful.. and majestic.. and now I'm just blabbering about horse beauty...

So today (well the first half is going to look like nothing compared to the hike and stuff....) we sat on the bus for 8 hours and retraced the Long Walk... Once arriving in Fort Sumner, we went to a ranch and met up with local high school students... yes at first, like many first encounters with other people after seeing the same faces everyday for about a week, this was a little awkward but after eating and cooking and doing some experimenting, we all sorta got to know each other and it was really fun, and we had a good time... During this fun time I won Ninja... On the cultural side of the night my group created some sort of dough and bacon salad thing and coffee, which we drained using a plastic bag... it was definitely interesting... So hopefully we will have as much fun at this ranch tomorrow as we did today..

So good bye.... Adios.... Auf Wiedersehen... Peace.

The power of Navajo

There is not enough to say about the last three days. In fact there are not enough words in the english alphabet to possibly describe the stay on the Navajo Reservation. Staying in a Hogan at Ruth Roeseel's was much like the hike in Bandelier. It too, was completely humbling. After sleeping on a dirt floor for two nights, every bed whether it be stiff or too soft feels like a heavenly mattress. Getting past the actual sleeping arrangements, her home and Navajo ways were so natural. The way in which she was attached to the Mother Earth and Father Sky touched each and everyone of our souls. I know it certainly made me more whole as a person. I may not fully understand the connections she and her friends Evelyn and Polly do, but I have learned much more about our planet and life on earth and the ties we have with a greater power.

After two days of humble living we began our trek through the Canyon De Chelly. Andrew, our guide was one of the most spiritual men i have ever met. The way he walked was so connected with the world. On our hike through the puddle filled river bed i attempted to follow his very steps. At first i was only trying to copy his patterns and natural rhythm, but eventually I learned that his body naturally found and traveled over the softest areas of sand that the trail could provide. No one could have spotted it with their eyes and even with our shoes off most people could not find it, but Andrew naturally knew where the softest sand to walks across was located. It absolutely rocked my world. Also his footsteps made no excessive splashes like the rest of our group. It was as if the water reacted to his footsteps with compassion. Now I have heard of wild indian powers and native mystics, but never in my life have i actually experienced it. This Man, our personal tour guide for the day, which is astonishing in itself (thanks to Mrs. Paris) was a real life Navajo legend. He has forever inspired me and for that I am thankful.

O yeah the canyon was too beautiful to describe so I am not even going to try

Four Days: 16 people, 1 hogan, a 7 mile hike, and an 7 hour bus ride

Hello,

It's been a long, long time since I last blogged (I know you missed me so much....). Anyway, on May 30th and 31st we were at Ruth Roessel's family compound in Round Rock, Arizona. It was a very interesting experience; 16 people sharing a tiny, dirt-floor hogan (first picture) and one tiny bathroom, but overall, it was amazing. On our first day, Ruth taught us a little bit about Navajo culture. She explained the significance of the hogan, the Navajo calendar, some of the language relating to family relationships, and some of the stories. Fun Fact: Hogans always open to the east. I didn't know a lot about Navajo culture (or Native American culture for that matter), but now I know some basics and definitely have a better understanding of their way of life and spiritual beliefs. Ruth told a story about her uncle and how he said that is doesn't matter what skin color you are because our hearts are all the same and the blood that runs through our veins is the same color. Ruth was such an amazing woman to be so open to sharing not only her home, but her culture with all of us. I also have become so much closer with everyone on my unit after this little two-day excursion (not that I wasn't before). Later that day, we made some delicious fry bread.

On June 1st, we travelled on to Canyon de Chelly. Now....the entire hike was about 7 miles. Yes, 7 miles, so all you readers should be proud of everyone on this trip because we all hiked it. We were led by a Navajo man named Andrew Bia who spent his childhood summers on a sheep farm in the canyon. Canyon de Chelly was absolutely spectacular and we got to see ruins as well as cave drawings/carvings. At one point during our long trek, we got to take off our shoes and walk about 3 miles barefoot through little puddles of water and soft sand.

And we reach today.....which was basically spent on a bus for 7 hours. We retraced the Long Walk by bus and are now currently in Fort Sumner. Tonight, we had dinner local high school students from Fort Sumner high school. It was really fun meeting the locals and seeing what life was like for another high school student my age in New Mexico. After dinner, we were given the rations of bacon, corn meal, flour, salt, and coffee beans that were similar to the rations that had been given to the Navajo people during the Long Walk. With these rations and our team of a few other people, we had to make meals with them. Now, the rations we were given, we were familiar with what they were, but the products were totally foreign to the Navajo people at the time and so they had no idea what to do with them. Well, that has been my busy three days and I hope you enjoyed reading about them. I will be back tomorrow :).

L

We did, in fact, fit 16 people in there....

Canyon de Chelly

“Someone had to be airlifted out of Canyon de Chelly this past weekend”.

“Ruth, Evelyn, and Polly do this hike three times a week; it’s nothing guys”.

Yesterday morning, as we drove the short drive from Ruth Roessel’s house to Canyon de Chelly National Park, I had no idea what to expect from the five-hour hike ahead of us. Every member of our group pounded down water and stocked up on applesauce as we neared the point of no return. Backpacks strapped on and sunscreen applied, we began our descent to the canyon floor. I immediately knew our hike would be the most amazing part of our trip. We were guided by a Navajo man named Andrew who spent his childhood summers on a sheep farm in the canyon. He knew every bend in the path, every river and stream, and every ancient cave carving by heart and for the five hours we spent in the canyon, gave us an intimate look into this sacred land he calls home. As we briskly walked through the sand to keep up with our guide, we watched tour buses and jeeps filled with other tourists crawl by. Each passenger looked out with a puzzled visage, confused as to why a group of thirteen teenagers and four adults were trekking barefoot through the canyon’s streams.

It was clear to me that our hike was a unique and coveted opportunity. As I listened to Andrew explaining the meaning behind a cave drawing of a turtle, I had a bit of a revelation. I removed my face from my camera’s eyepiece (sorry, mom) and abandoned the old “take a picture, it’ll last longer” idea. I wanted my memories of the canyon to be captured in my heart rather than my memory card (cheesy, I know). The result was a success. It was simply humbling to look down at my bare feet stepping lightly through a stream of clear water and rich orange sand and then look up to see herculean rock formations and an (fortunately slightly cloudy) open sky. We walked through this network of oasis for about two or three miles, stopping periodically to meet up with Ruth, Evelyn, and Polly who treated us with water bottles and popsicles. By the time we reached our bus, we had been in the canyon for over five hours, were windswept and slightly wet, and had never felt so connected with nature before. I will always remember our time spent in the canyon as the most spectacular hike I have every experienced. I’m still a bit exhausted, so goodnight for now!

Olivia

On the Road Again

Days 6 & 7: May 30th and 31st - Ruth's

- On the morning of May 30th we left Albuquerque once again and began a 4 hour trek to Round Rock, Arizona. 

- Being on the road was, needless to say, boring.

- We arrived in Chinle, AZ right outside of Round Rock and went food shopping. I felt a little invasive at the food store. I'm sure all of the locals were wondering where we came from and why in the world we were there. 

- Evelyn (one of the women I will talk about a little later) texted Ms. Bormann to let us know to delay a little more before arriving at Ruth Roesell's home in Round Rock. So, we decided to drive up to a scenic overlook of the Canyon de Chelly. It was beautiful, and made me so excited to hike the canyon two days later.

- When we reached Ruth's home we greeted her. (She is quite possibly the most adorable woman in the entire world) She welcomed us into her home and showed us the hogan we would be sleeping in for the next two nights. Imagine a small log cabin looking building (either octagonal or hexagonal- I forget) with a dirt floor and a wood stove in the center. We managed to fit all 16 of us in this little building for the night. It was quite a close sleeping experience.

- Before nightfall we met Evelyn. Evelyn is absolutely wonderful. This part of the trip wouldn't even have been possible. 

- The next morning I awoke to the sound of Mr. Hodgeson knocking on the wall of the hogan. (This is excluding the few times I awoke- as well as everyone else- to the sound of harmonized snoring from the guys and a few moans too)

- After eating and cleaning up as much as we could, we all sat down in a large room and listened to Ruth tell us stories of meanings of different Navajo symbols. She also taught us some numbers to spice up our count off on the bus. 

- In the Afternoon, we made our very own Indian Fry Bread. DELICIOUS

- Before dinner a bunch of us played soccer in the dirt lot that takes up a bunch of the land. Come to think of it, pretty much everything in Round Rock was dirt. I've never had so much dirt on my body until this experience. 

- That night most of us spent the night in the hogan again. Jake and Christian played the guitar and sang to us. I must say that they are both extremely talented and have great improv skills.

Day 8: June 1st, 2011 - Canyon de Chelly

- We all woke up early, ate a very quick breakfast, and packed lunches for the long day to come. 

- June 1st was the day we hiked Canyon de Chelly. 

- For the first half of the day we drove around and looked out over the canyon from various scenic over views. We had our own person guide - Andrew Bia - who literally knows everything there is to know about the canyon and the Navajo people for that matter. 

- We descended into the canyon. I asked andrew about a really cool looking yellow flower. It was a type of Arizona cactus! 

- We hiked and hiked and hiked. We walked through sand, dirt, and even jumped over streams. Andrew pointed out ruins and ancient drawings. It was spectacular. The moment I knew this was about to be my favorite hike though was when Andrew sat down and instructed us all to take off our shoes. We walked miles in bare feet. We walked through streams and on damp sand. Ruth, Evelyn, and Polly (another woman from Round Rock who helped with the Fry bread) drove into the Canyon and brought us water and ICE POPS! (Sweetest people ever) They checked up on us a few more times. We saw wild horses and cattle. It was an amazing experience. 

- Once out of the canyon we went to the local hotel. Never have I ever been so happy to see a shower. I had felt sooooooooo disgusting all day. 

Day 9: June 2, 2011 - The Long Walk- Drive

- Today we drove 7 hours from Chinle to Fort Sumner (the site of the Bosque Redondo) .

- I couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like for the Native Americans to walk all of those miles in the winter without any proper clothing or foods they were accustomed to. 

- We checked in our hotel and then head over to a family's home for dinner. There were local kids from the high school. We ate together and then were given foodstuffs that were given to the Navajos upon arrival at the Bosque Redondo. It went... interestingly. It really showed how much we take for granted now and how much it hurts to be displaced from your home. It was a great experience! 

Fun Fact of the Day: Much of the reason why the Bosque Redondo Memorial in the museum in Fort Sumner is relatively new is because some Native Americans did not want to show what actually went on during the Long Walk. Some didn't even know what happened during it!

BANDELIER

I had been looking forward to this day for the last week. Our first hike of the unit was incredible. The ancient pueblo structures hidden away within the mountain side were amazing. Although we were not able to attend the four hundred foot ladder to the top of the canyon our trip was a success in the greatest way. We witnessed more wildlife than all of the others put together. Our first siting was of a brown bear cub searching for food across a tiny stream. Then came a mule- deer which was a total change from the white tailed deer we so often come across in New Jersey. It was almost as if the deer was from a different planet. These creatures did not sprint off into the woods in fear of the human tourists, instead they inched closer and closer every minute. ALthough deer are widely hunted in New Jersey, they are safely protected in the natural preserve of Bandelier's National Park. The serenity of this encounter placed me in a different set of mind. It took me far away from the hustle and bustle of the ever so aggressive competition that consumes the people of New Jersey on a daily basis.

After that the next creature we observed was a giant yellow butterfly which may not seem like much through this blog, but words could not do its beauty justice. It added to the peaceful setting of Bandelier's trail significantly. And as if that wasn't enough, we came upon a diamond back rattle snake, which surprised us as well with its calm nature. It did not slither off into the distance, but instead it remained in the same spot while tourists continued to take pictures.

These natural encounters put together made up a a splendid day on our over all trip in New Mexico and managed to relieve my mind and depress my body.

Blog Fail

I'm sitting in a Super 8 motel room right now.

...

It's been three days since I have last blogged, and with these past few days, I have made a few conclusions:

1) I am so happy that I decided to bring a hiking back pack

2) I need to buy underwear

.....

Three days ago, we arrived at Ruth's. As my fellow Unit members, painfully lugged their roley suitcases (TEHHEHEHEHEHEE) through the sand, I snickered as I skipped about, giggling to myself about how fantastic of a traveller I am.

....

Then we slept in a Hogan.

Or, rather, we squeezed ourselves into a small wooden hut with a mud floor.

I violated Hayley Diverio more that night than I think I have my entire life, and then woke up with a small island worth of sand up my nose.

...

The following night, I slept a little TOO close to Ms. McGrover (If Jason is reading this, then yes, Jason. You should be jealous.) ... 

**Jason: Fiance. 

...

After we finished up with the Hogan, we drove to another motel.

...

When I unpacked I realized that I lost my underwear bag.

..............

I then proceeded to wash my one and ONLY pair underwear in the sink with shampoo. andI blew it dry with the hotel's blow dryer for about 30 minutes. 

(GOOD STUFF.) 

mind you, I packed about every pair of underwear I owned, sooo I guess I have some serious shopping to do when I get home....

We had a 7-hour bus ride.

I bought a giant sombrero. 

Then we got to the Super 8. Again, I was elated at my choice of luggage. 

Hayley was huffing and puffing up the Super 8 stairs with her MASSIVE SUITCASE. 

and I was just trotting along, mocking EVERYONE ELSE...

After we got to the Super 8, and saw just how UNsuper it was....

:D 

Jess and I sought out a washer and dryer.

Because those shorts I've been wearing. and sweating in.. every day have yet to be washed.

The man at the counter at the Super 8 had swear stains big enough to bathe a small family.....

It was a sight to see..

The End.

M

The Adventures of Nick Bilynsky...again?

The past couple of days leading up to today have truly been an experience that I will never forget. Ruth Roessel, Evelyn Anderson, and Andrew Bia were the kindest and coolest people I have ever met and the way they expressed their aura helped to make our time in the Navajo Reservation all the more fantastic. I learned a lot about the culture of the Navajo people through fun activities of storytelling, the baking of frybread (which by the way, is probably the best thing I have ever eaten in my entire life), and the hiking of the Canyon de Chelly on the day that the Navajo Nation celebrates its sovreignty. Sleeping in the Hogan was extremely fun except for the part where I was greeted by two creepy-crawlies when I woke up at 6:00 in the morning on our first morning at Ruth Roessel's compound. The night sky at the Reservation was just the most spectacular sight I have ever seen with millions of stars illuminating the night and every once in a while, I would see a shooting star fly by at unbelievable speeds. Also, I had a lot of fun playing ghetto wiffleball and ghetto soccer tennis, just as an afterthought (lol).

Canyon de Chelly was a great site to hike and explore the culture of the Navajo people. The views from the ridges of the Canyon were just beautiful and the walk itself helped to burn off calories from the tremendous amount of food that I have been eating (lol...again). The great thing is that about half way through the hike, we were able to take off our shoes and walk in the river which ultimately soothed the soreness of my feet.

Today, we drove for about 7-8 hours on a route that retraces the Navajo Long Walk which was relaxing and uneventful. I mostly listened to my tunes on my Ipod and read The Lost Hero on my kindle but I also talked to people...which is a good thing because it's never good to be antisocial. We met with one of Mrs.Bormann's personal friends and met with students from the Fort Sumner High School. They are really nice and very cool and I had an awesome time having burgers and chips and attempting to cook frybread, bacon, and coffee (which went okay, but not something that I would want to eat based off our final result). Altogether, it's been epic and I am going to be sad once this Unit is over. But, hey, it's something that I will look back on and smile about and I hope everyone will look back on our adventures and feel happy as well. Good Night! Cheers Amigos!!!

-Nick Bilynsky

ipod shuffle brings chills

Ruth Roessel, The Canyon De Chelly, and the Cortese residence

Over the past two days, we were graciously invited to stay in the home of influential Navajo Elder, Ruth Roessel, in the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. In these two days we slept in a Hogan, a circular log cabin like structure with a dirt floor. Ruth also lectured us on the importance of story telling in Navajo culture. The day we left Ruth's house, we went to the Canyon de Chelly (pronounced shay) where we were guided on a six mile hike through the wilderness by Andrew Bia, a teacher at the Rough Rock Navajo school. Pictures of this hike can not do it justice, not even the pictures of wild horses you might see posted by my fellow students. The experience was indescribably enlightening. Today we were invited to stay at the home of the Corteses for dinner, currently a fourth generation family of cattle ranchers. There we cooked food using ingredients that the Navajo indians were given upon being imprisoned at the Bosque Redondo. We also got to meet students from the local Fort Sumner School. I was astonished when I found out that they have a total of about 300 students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, with only about 100 students in the high school. And I thought the GSB student body was small. Fortunately, all the students we met were very friendly. I look forward to visiting the Bosque Redondo tomorrow.

Ruth Roessel and 7 Hour Journey

For two nights, I slept on a dirt floor.

.....Wanna know why?

Well our group went to the home of Ruth Roessel, an elder Navajo living on the reservation. Our group had stayed on her property for two days, learning about the different cultural aspects of the Navajos. We learned about the story telling, and family tree and the different words used for family members. We learned that the Navajo culture is matriarchal, and everything is family is based upon the mother's family. 

Our group learned how to make Fry Bread! it sounds weird, but basically all it is flour and water mixed together, and then friend in boiling oil. It doesn't seem appetizing, but it is absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS. We put sugar on it and it was great.  

The other interesting experience that our group shared was sleeping in a hogan. A hogan is the name for a small house made out of mud, that is very important to the Navajo culture. It was difficult to sleep in the small house for two days. 

Fitting 16 people in a tiny hogan was probably the most entertaining part of the trip so far. I really got to know a lot of people very well, on terms that are not appropriate to post on the internet......

Even though we all stuffed ourselves in the hogan, it was still cool to learn about how hard things were for people that had to live in a hogan.

After that, we had hiked the Canyon De Chelly. Our tour guide was named Andrew and he was a BOSS. He was so cool and he told me a lot about his histtory and how he owns a lot of Quarter  horses. He also said that he lives in the southern branch of the Canyon and that he has a lot of sheep that he brings through the canyon. 

It was so beautiful and it was unbelieveable as to how HUGE the rocks were... turns out i have a lot of pictures of pretty rocks.

***This rock is pretty....and so is this rock.... oh and i like this rock too.... OH WOW this rock is beautiful. 

^ That was my basic thought process while hiking the canyon.

I thought it was so pretty and amazing. Seeing the wild horses that lived in there was awesome becuase i had never actually seen wild horses roaming around.

The next day was our 7 hour trip to the Bosque Redando. Once we got here, we spent the night with a woman and a group of kids who live in Fort Sumner. We  had to make food out of the very few things that had been given to the Navajos when they arrived at the Bosque. 

That was an interesting task. We made coffee( and strained it through a plastic bag and it tasted like dirt), cooked yummy bacon, and also tried to make a make-shift fry bread but it just looked like a lump of burnt goo. 

Tomorrow we go back :) im excited.

The Navajo Reservation and The Canyon de Chelly

Monday May, 30th

On Monday, we arrived at the home of Ruth Roessel, a Navajo elder. We greeted her, moved our things into a room in the house and then we were put to work. We were sent out back to the hogan (pronounced: HO-gahn), our sleeping quarters for the two nights of our stay on the reservation. We had three tasks: shake out all the rugs and check them for snakes, spiders and scorpions, sweep the dirt floor and spray it down with water to minimize the dust. After this was completed, we made our way back to the main house and started a game of “ghetto baseball.” I did not play as I went on a photo excursion around the inspiration filled property. My photo taking has become an illness as I have taken over 2,000 photos this trip. We had some time to our selves before we were called in for a traditional dinner of Navajo tacos. These may or may not be the most incredible food item one will ever eat. A Navajo taco consists of Indian frye bread, pinto beans, sauteed ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes and the works of a taco. We pigged out on these for a little while and then we started preparing for our first night in the hogan. Some of us showered, some of us didn’t. We got into our pajamas, brushed our teeth and gathered our flashlights and pillows and went out to the hogan. We spent some time outside waiting for it to get dark enough to see the stars. When the sky darkened, it came to life with a glittery sheen of millions of stars. I have never seen so many stars in my life. We craned our necks and watched satellites, planets and stars twinkle above us. As we were gazing up something caught a few of our eyes...a shooting star! How did we know that there was one? Mr. Hodgson’s (Nickname: Hodge) squeal of delight clued as all in. We were all so focused on his hysterical sound, and Ms. McGrover’s side stitch inducing laugh that only a few of us saw the second shooting star of the night. After a little while longer of star gazing, we headed of to bed in the hogan...which is a whole ‘nother blog post in itself.

Tuesday: May 31st- Jake’s Birthday

We were woken up early by the chilled morning Arizona air and the bright sun streaming through the windows of the hogan. We awoke with discomfort of being freezing, having a sore back, or not really having slept at all. We rolled out of our sleeping bags and made our trek to the main house. We were kindly greeted with a steaming plate of eggs, bacon and fried potatoes, generously prepared for us by Mrs. Roessel herself. Over breakfast, she explained to us how this is her special breakfast that she makes for her children when they visit her. After we stuffed our faces (for the umpteenth time on the trip) we showered and changed for the day. Our next activity was a short history lesson presented my Mrs. Roessel. We were educated about the Navajo calendar, the significance of the parts of a hogan and a mural with much symbolic meaning. We also had the privilege to learn how to count on Dine´. This skill was later used on the bus to do the “Count-Off.” Following this miniature history lesson, we had some time to our selves but what follows is amazing. We got to make our own frye bread! This delectable treat that we had been eating the whole trip was now ours to make. The group learned to make the dough, I accidentally napped through that (shhhh!), and we headed outside to the fire pit to cook the dough. We were doing well making patties to fry, with the exception of Mr. Hodgson whose dough got thrown in the dirt by Mrs. Roessel. We fried up our dough, doused them in sugar and went to work eating to our hearts content. Amazing. Delicious. The most incredible doughnut one will ever eat! We cleaned up this mess, and began to think about preparing dinner. I know you’re probably thinking, “What?! They’re going to eat again?” Oh yes, we were going to eat again. The guys took the job of starting a fire in the pit (an impressive one I must say) and the girls started laying out all the food. 26 burgers, 24 ribs, a whopping dish of salad, a platter of fruit and two birthday cakes later, we were all stuffed with food up to our ears. Feeling a wee bit guilty for our smorgasbord we started a game of “ghetto soccer.” Our goals were crafted from tires and fire wood and the sidelines were the electrical cords running to the hogan. It was a decent setup except for the massive red ant hill smack in the middle of the field. It was like playing soccer on an obstacle course. One with an obstacle that would leave you swollen, itchy and in pain if you didn’t avoid it. Nick Bilynsky, nicknamed “Billy Sky” by Master Hodge, is an amazing soccer player and really shows the ball its place. After our game, we prepared for bed and headed to the hogan. We were highly entertained by Jake’s amazing guitar skills and Chris’s singing and humor. Post mini concert, we all collapsed into our sleeping bags.

Wednesday: June 1st

Gasoline to drive to Chinle: $40

Entry fee to the park: $50

Two cases of water: $10

Experiencing the Canyon de Chelly: Priceless

Yesterday we did a 5 hour hike down and through the Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, AZ. We had the pleasure of seeing “Spider Rock” and the “Mummy Cave.” Our guide Andrew was incredible, extremely knowledgable and knew the canyon like the back of his hand. We made our descent into the canyon via a twisty, turny path. As we walked slowly with our arms out just in case, Andrew seemed to glide down the face of the mountain. We made our way down the magnificent rock formation and crossed a small river at the bottom. Across and down from the river, are Navajo people selling their art and jewelry. I purchased a necklace with a small horse pendant and an amber arrow head necklace. After our mini shopping break, we started our 4 hour trek to the mouth of the canyon. Astounding. Breath taking. Insanely gorgeous. There really aren’t words to describe the beauty of this natural wonder. As you walk through the canyon, and look up along the rock, you see the hieroglyphics that were carved by the Navajo people in the 1600’s. This really blows my mind to know that so long ago, people were creating art on the canyon walls and now I have the ability to see them with my own two eyes. The ruins of the homes and buildings send out an almost eery vibe. To know that 400 years ago, Navajo people were living in them is an incredible thought. We continued our trek and made it to what is left of the river. Shoes off! There is no way that one could make it through this donning their shoes. The cool water and soft, squishy sand is like heaven to our sore feet. Walking, walking, walking...wind! The wind! It whips through canyon and shoots the grains of sand into the backs of our legs. Dear gosh, does it sting! We close our eyes and look down to avoid being blinded. “Grab it!” someone yells, referring to the cowboy hat that has just rocketed off Mr. Hodgson’s head. He sprints and saves it. We continue our trek, sore and tired. “Three more bends in the path.” Andrew tells us. (This walk is nothing for him, mind you) Come on guys we can do it. There’e one bend, and two, and three! BUS! There’s the bus! I have never been more excited in my life to see a bus or our amazing diver, Mr. McHaffy. After de-mudding our sneakers, we climb on the bus and collapse into the seats in front of the air vents. We head back to the visitor center to drop Andrew off at his car. Before his descent down the steps of the bus, we shower him with a warm, gratuitous round of applause. As we serenade him, his face lights up and he smiles back at all of us. To know that we made him happy is extremely touching and was a rewarding way to end our adventure.

We're All So Much Closer

We spent two days in the Navajo Reservation in Round Rock, Arizona with our wonderful and generous host Ruth Roessel. Ruth is very important to the Navajo community, and was gracious enough to host 13 complaining teenagers for two night. We all slept in a hogan, which is a traditional and ceremonial Navajo home. There is no heating, air conditioning, running water, or beds in the hogan, so we all snuggled close in sleeping bags. After squeezing together in a hogan for two nights (and sharing the same bathroom), we all feel a lot closer. It was an amazing experience to learn the history of the Navajo people from Ruth, and she even taught us how to make Indian Fry Bread and to count in Din-e (the traditional Navajo language). Ruth and her assistant Evelyn were so warm and enthusiastic about sharing their culture that we were all sad to say goodbye to her (and her adorable dog Jet).

The next day we took a quick drive to Chinle, Arizona where we hiked the Canyon de Chelly. First, our Navajo guide Andrew took us to a few lookout points so we could see the canyon from above and take pictures. Andrew had grown up in the Canyon de Chelly, and is a descendant of the Long Walk. He spent his summers roaming the canyon herding sheep with his family. I couldn't tell how enormous the canyon was until I saw a few black and white shapes that, upon further scrutiny with binoculars, turned out to be people herding sheep! After that we began our descent into the canyon, there were signs everywhere warning us to bring lots of water, and that it was a very long hike. I didn't even notice the time passing because every sight was more amazing than the last. We saw ancient petroglyphs on the canyon walls, wild horses and cattle, towering rocks, and ruins of ancient dwellings. For a few miles we followed behind Andrew in a river bed, and splashed around barefoot. It's amazing how close to the wild animals you could get in the Canyon de Chelly; the wild horses would let you come right up to them and take pictures! It was a big change from the skittish wild animals of New Jersey. While I didn't notice the time passing, I did notice how much water I was drinking. It was so hot and sunny, I was very thankful for the four or five water bottles I had. We ended our hike after about five hours, and although all of us were extremely tired we agreed that it had been one of the best, if not the very best, parts of our trip.

The next morning, after lots of rest, we began our seven hour bus ride to retrace the Long Walk that the Navajo were forced to make to the Bosque Redondo in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Sitting on a bus for seven hours was pretty painful, so I can't even imagine how horrible it was for the Navajo to walk the 300+ miles to an unfamiliar land. Once we arrived, we went to a cattle ranch and had a cookout dinner with some students from the high school in Fort Sumner. It was so fun to meet kids from out here and I can't wait to hang out with them again tomorrow!

Overall it has been an amazing 4 days, full of new friends, amazing sights, and amazing memories.

Will blog again soon!

-Sophie

The "Res" and the Canyon de Chelly

The beauty of the barren plain, the mystical wind passing through my hair, the sounds of the natural surroundings at Ms. Roessel's beautiful home resonated in my mind and my heart. The power of the atmosphere at this magnificent place, along with the rare opportunity to sleep in a traditional Hogan took the group's idea of an "authentic" Native American experience to a whole new level. Both the sharing of traditional "Dine," or Navajo tales, along with the incredibly delicious fry bread that sat so warmly in our stomachs, allowed the native spirit I so desired to feel to almost course through my veins. And then, there was the Canyon...Or, in other words, one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth. Not only was it majestic in appearance, but also magical in nature. Our guide, Mr. Andrew Bia,knew each and every crevasse of the beautiful Canyon, teaching us the intricate history of every cave drawing we passed. He added movement and a specific purpose to each ruin or drawing, allowing me personally to truly witness the depth of the Navajo understanding of nature and personal meaning. It was incredible to view the stories of the original inhabitants through the drawings, the signatures of the cavalry members from the 1800's, and finally our own personal signatures of footsteps and of happiness we left upon the Canyon de Chelly. What an amazing three days.

The "Res" and the Canyon de Chelly