***Miles travelled today: Only about 40...
***Total Miles:
***States travelled through: Still in South Dakota...
(Entry for yesterday Sunday 20th...)
So today we had every intention of making our way to Spearfish canyon... heading westwards... towards our destinations for this week... we headed off to Rapid City - as we needed to stock up on some road trip essentials from the handy 'Walmart'... although I do see time in Walmart as wasted when we have so much to see and do!!!
Things happen in amazing ways...
...as we are in a place where there is a great deal of Native American culture and heritage we had decided that we wanted to try and experience something of the culture... On Saturday I visited a 'Visitors Centre'... my favourite haunts of the moment... and the woman recommended that we look at a shop in Rapid City called 'Dakota Drum'... as we did not intend to stop at Rapid City i didn't mention this to Jay... however, having finally left Walmart - in order to get to the Interstate - Tam Tam directed us down the Main street in Rapid City... and Jay, as the navigator, said "Look - there's a shop called Dakota Drum... it looks good." As it was Sunday morning we didn't expect it to be open - but we parked the car anyway and were pleasantly surprised... on exploring around the shop - (the first pic is a painting on buffalo hide, made by the owner of the shop, Sonja Holy Eagle, a well known artist... Jay got chatting about the significance of eagle feathers... (How does she know this stuff???) and clearly Sonja was pleasantly surprised at what Jay knew... she asked how long we were in town for and we said that we were just passing through - and she advised that there was a National Conference of Native Americans taking place in Rapid city over the next few days, and that there was a Pow-Wow tonight... that visitors were welcome to attend... with that information, although we had only just started on our days journey - we decided to stay in Rapid City - so we booked ourselves into a hotel... we went down into the city to explore and look for an art museum and gallery that we had read about - specialising in the art of local Native American artists... we have added the website above - have a look at some of the works - they were amazing - (have a look at some of the prices and they were pretty amazing too... hence no art purchases were made!!!)
There was also a book/CD store in the gallery - so we were listening to music by local artists, one of whom came into the store whilst we were there - and signed the CD that we had just bought!!!
late afternoon we went down to the Civic Centre, as the Pow-Wow was to be held indoors... we were invited to join everyone for a meal, that was buffalo stew (for me...) and wa-ja-pi (A berry fruit soup for Jay, both served with fried bread!!! (Jay says they taste like donuts without the jam...)
We then observed the Pow-Wow for the next four hours... which was a gathering of various tribes, drumming, chanting and dancing... as well as paying respects to Native Americans serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars... which for us was quite surprising, in terms of the level of patriotism experienced...
The dancers wore phenomenal regalia - and there were times, due to the sacred nature of the dance/music that photography was not allowed... we wish that we had had a better camera for some of the other shots that were taken... but we still managed to capture the essence - and sometimes photographs cannot always do the moment justice and we simply have to commit it to memory... this indeed is a new lesson for me - who has always said, that if you cannot take a photo of it -it's almost like it didn't happen!!! Jay, naturally has disagreed with me on this matter...
...so today was all about our learning about a fascinating and intriguing culture...
Loved the photo of the skin with the art and also the buffalo head. It seems absolutely facinating and what a privilage to learn about other cultures. The post office tried to deliver Susie package today, unfortunately I was out, so will arrange to go and fetch it in the next day or two.
ReplyDeleteHi my Travellers - and travellers you certainly are! I have just sat and read through your past week - and what an incredible journey - and the most beautiful photos! I keep saying I will check the blog oftener - and I really must - there is so much to comment on, I would be sitting here all night, asking questions! I caught up with you at the diner serving scrambled eggs and whisky for breakfast - I have to say that really is my kind of breakfast {lunch and supper as well, if pushed!} and then - and then - COWBOY BOOTS! They looked very special - did you buy the tasselled skirts and hats to go with? I can see when you get back it will not be Salsa anymore - but the all American Line Dancing!
ReplyDeleteAs you say the scenery in the Black Hills is totally unreal - I like the photo of you Linz - it looks very much like a moonscape - and the sunset pictures are beautiful - I always thought that there could never be sunsets like the dramatic ones you get in South Africa - But I guess where ever you are in this world, the sunsets are rather special!
What can I say about Glen Miller and his dancing daisies - now I know why pops is not with me at this time - he is travelling with you across America!
Jc - Jc - Jc! there you are again with a load of grizzlies - remember what I told you! But then again - do all American guys look like that - surely not! I have seen beautiful American men in the films - maybe you are just looking in the wrong place!
As you can see I am at the Native American Indian page - the art work is truly impressive - and their tradition costumes are fabulous, and wonderful to see - the Pow Wow must have been quite an experience - I think it is all so incredible to see - but at the same time, so very sad to remember what became of the Red Indian nation.
Well, yous twos - I guess that is it for to-day - will catch up with you much sooner next time - take care of yourselves - enjoy each day, and make it special - keep well - keep safe
lots of luv and hugs - Moi
Hi girls!
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad you didnt have to lasso Ronel, who'd be wondering off mummbling: "oeeee...... pretty" & "mmmmm..........beads" or asking: "Do you think they'd let me touch that?"
Gorgeous pic.s girls
Enjoy!
^j^