Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Day 4: A Bit of Denver...

We spent last night sleeping in a Navajo hogan. The hogan is considered very sacred as it is the traditional Navajo home. In it, you must only walk clockwise around the fire.

We headed off to Whitewater, an elderly Navajo community, to help clear out trash in their front and backyards. My group and I worked with Mary and her beautiful white horses.

One of Mary's gorgeous horses!

According to Harrision, we saved over six hours of cleanup work for the community as we filled an entire dumpster full of trash!
We visited Diné (meaning "people" in Navajo) College, where we admired the $1 million wall that was newly constructed. It was to represent the conflicts regarding the Navajo land. Incredibly, the tribe is finally just getting their voices heard today!
$1 million wall built at Dine College

Of course, no travel would be completed without going to the Four Corners: the intersection of the border states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. These governments, along with the governments of Navajo Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe have jurisdiction over this area. The first marker was placed in 1912 where since thousands of visitors have come to the remote spot to get their fifteen minutes of fame standing in four states at once.
At the Four Corners!

Here, one can also try traditional frybread for roughly $3.50+ depending on toppings. This Native American treat resembles funnel cake with its deep-fried (or fried) flat dough. Traditionally served at home and in pow-wows, frybread was named the official "state bread" of South Dakota in 2005.
Frybread with honey, powdered sugar, and cinnamon. Mmm...

On the way home, we came back with a car full of girls blasting "strong, independent" woman music consisting of Kelly Clarkson, Pink, etc. Good day!

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