I am not really sure what I wrote last time, and it has been a while since I have been able to pull out the computer again. Being in charge of six kids is not easy. Especially six that are all the same age, and on a trip that is supposed to teach them about independence. Not all of them are quite used to not being cleaned up after, or having to carry their own things.
Acoma is an amazing place. Acoma pueblo, or the Sky city has been continuously inhabited now for roughly 1000 years. People do live on top of the mesa year round still, even without modern conveniences like electricity and running water. There is a paved road that you can drive up now, but that did not get built until the 50's when a John Wayne movie was filmed at the mesa. I am not sure of the name of the film, but apparently it was one that took place in North Africa, and the top of a mesa in New Mexico was the spot they wanted to film. Our guide, who was named Kevin, who is one of the Acoma people said that a few films had been made there, and several of them actually were Safari in Africa type films. Before the road was put in the only way to get to the top of the mesa was on foot, through hidden trails and pathways cut in to the rock, that only the native people knew about, in order to keep their enemies away.
When the Spanish arrived, they did force the people to conform to Catholicism, and a mission was built on the top of the mesa, on top of the holy Kivas. Any Native religion practices were done in secret. More to come.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
SWIFT Day One
It is 6:52pm on day one. We met at 7am at the airport. 34 kids and 6 chaperones, all on the same plane. Believe me, the other passengers on our flight did not look happy to see all of us about to get on their flight. We were met at the airport by our motorhomes and other chaperones, and after a quick lunch of apples chips, and some cheese, we took off on the trip to Acoma Mesa. Now it is dinner time, so, I will update again after dinner.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Gearing up more!
The overalls have arrived, and I am gathering more things I need for the trip, and I have met a few of the kids and parents who will be in my caravan, and in my motor-home.
The best thing (other than the overalls) to have are baby wipes. Seriously, when the showers are only every other day, and you are hiking, baby wipes can help you feel, cleaner and refreshed, and totally help you smell better. I have my mini deodorant, my mini toothpaste, and my soap case, and I am busting out the sharpie to write my name on all of it. One thing that is better for the adults on this trip, is we don't have to stick to the strict packing list that the kids do, but, it really is best to not take too much with you, you really don't need it, and 11 year old kids are not judging, or at least part of this trip is to teach them not to.
One of the boys in my motor-home is the little brother of a boy who was in my motor-home last time I went. His mom was very excited, so I must have made a good impression. :)
I finally got a bag for my camera that Charles gave me for Christmas. I had been using a glove, so this is much better, and I am ready to take all kinds of pictures. At the parent meeting the other night, kids were reminded that if they were bringing a digital camera, to be sure to have enough memory. I guess there had been a problem with kids having to delete pictures. My first trip, I had my first 35mm film camera, and it broke after just one day. I was so sad! I was not going to have any pictures! But, because all we had then was film, after the trip there was a get together where everyone brought there photos and shared them and made arrangements to make copies, so, I was able to get some photos from the trip.
So the plan is, on the 26th I fly to Albuquerque, the motor-homes pick us up, and we head off for Acoma, having lunch while we go. We will tour Acoma and then we head some where else, and I don't have my itinerary in front of me, so on my next packing up date, I will tell you where we head next. Stay tuned!
The best thing (other than the overalls) to have are baby wipes. Seriously, when the showers are only every other day, and you are hiking, baby wipes can help you feel, cleaner and refreshed, and totally help you smell better. I have my mini deodorant, my mini toothpaste, and my soap case, and I am busting out the sharpie to write my name on all of it. One thing that is better for the adults on this trip, is we don't have to stick to the strict packing list that the kids do, but, it really is best to not take too much with you, you really don't need it, and 11 year old kids are not judging, or at least part of this trip is to teach them not to.
One of the boys in my motor-home is the little brother of a boy who was in my motor-home last time I went. His mom was very excited, so I must have made a good impression. :)
I finally got a bag for my camera that Charles gave me for Christmas. I had been using a glove, so this is much better, and I am ready to take all kinds of pictures. At the parent meeting the other night, kids were reminded that if they were bringing a digital camera, to be sure to have enough memory. I guess there had been a problem with kids having to delete pictures. My first trip, I had my first 35mm film camera, and it broke after just one day. I was so sad! I was not going to have any pictures! But, because all we had then was film, after the trip there was a get together where everyone brought there photos and shared them and made arrangements to make copies, so, I was able to get some photos from the trip.
So the plan is, on the 26th I fly to Albuquerque, the motor-homes pick us up, and we head off for Acoma, having lunch while we go. We will tour Acoma and then we head some where else, and I don't have my itinerary in front of me, so on my next packing up date, I will tell you where we head next. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Gearing Up!
Well, I am woefully behind, I think that is how my good friend put it, on this blogging thing! But, fear not gentle viewers, I am gearing up. In more ways than one! That is right, on April 26th, I am leaving to go on the Rhoades School's South West Indian Field Trip, or SWIFT trip as they call it, though saying SWIFT trip is like saying ATM machine, so I can just say leaving for SWIFT, but I hate calling things by their initials like that, except when people are talking to me, because a lot of people I know and love call me JT, and that is fine, because JT is not a word. Like, I am fine with ATM. Just not ATM machine, but I am not OK with SWIFT, because that still uses Indian, and we are supposed to say Native American now, and even though I am anti political correctness, they are not from India, they are from here, and they were here first, Indigenous people, therefore Natives, so, it is a better phrase. But, the food and the rugs are still Oriental folks, and it is still OK to say that, the people are Asian, but there is no such thing as Asian food.
That rant is over, now what I came to say. I am heading out in a motor home with six eleven year olds in my care! Once you all recover from that statement, know that this is my third time going on this trip. Once as one of the 11 year-olds, once at the age of 31, 20 years later exactly as a chaperon, and now once again as a chaperon, and this time with the wonders of modern technology at my disposal, I will be taking my lap -top, camera and a device to I can get internet every where, and blog on the way.
Last time I went, the best item of clothing I had was a pair of overalls. I could wear them almost every day, no matter what we were doing, and no matter what the weather. Alas, my overalls died last summer, so I have just ordered a new pair. These are Dickies, and I hope they prove to be as sturdy and long lasting as they promise. Overalls are a gift from God. Comfy, roomy and just perfect for work, play or what ever, with the exception of the Oscars.
My mom found me what I can only describe as the Uber Snuggy. It is way better than those things you see late at night that are made of fleece. Those are like hospital gowns, open at the back and lame. The one my mom gave me zips up, keeps my arms warm, but I can still use them, and it is toasty toasty. Perfect for a cold night in a motor-home.
Packing will be very light. We are gone for a week, so, one pair of tennis shoes, and one pair of work/hiking boots (my Laura Croft boots) in case of bad weather. 1 pair of overalls, 1 pair of shorts (probably won't wear them) 1 pair of jeans, sleeping bag (has to fit in my suit case) bathroom things (all with my name on them, so I don't lose them!) a towel (for when there are showers, because not all the camp sites have them), enough socks and underwear, a good coat for weather, and a hat, pajamas (and at least I don't have to worry there, because I am always cold at night, so those will be sweats, and I can wear those on days that we don't need to be spiffy) enough shirts and such, and a pillow (but I got these cool camping pillows that deflate when you roll them, so those don't take up a lot of room), of course Cousin Ben, and that is it. All in one bag, because space is limited, and I will have the lap top in my back pack.
So get ready, because I will be writing more, and there are adventures to come! See you all soon.
That rant is over, now what I came to say. I am heading out in a motor home with six eleven year olds in my care! Once you all recover from that statement, know that this is my third time going on this trip. Once as one of the 11 year-olds, once at the age of 31, 20 years later exactly as a chaperon, and now once again as a chaperon, and this time with the wonders of modern technology at my disposal, I will be taking my lap -top, camera and a device to I can get internet every where, and blog on the way.
Last time I went, the best item of clothing I had was a pair of overalls. I could wear them almost every day, no matter what we were doing, and no matter what the weather. Alas, my overalls died last summer, so I have just ordered a new pair. These are Dickies, and I hope they prove to be as sturdy and long lasting as they promise. Overalls are a gift from God. Comfy, roomy and just perfect for work, play or what ever, with the exception of the Oscars.
My mom found me what I can only describe as the Uber Snuggy. It is way better than those things you see late at night that are made of fleece. Those are like hospital gowns, open at the back and lame. The one my mom gave me zips up, keeps my arms warm, but I can still use them, and it is toasty toasty. Perfect for a cold night in a motor-home.
Packing will be very light. We are gone for a week, so, one pair of tennis shoes, and one pair of work/hiking boots (my Laura Croft boots) in case of bad weather. 1 pair of overalls, 1 pair of shorts (probably won't wear them) 1 pair of jeans, sleeping bag (has to fit in my suit case) bathroom things (all with my name on them, so I don't lose them!) a towel (for when there are showers, because not all the camp sites have them), enough socks and underwear, a good coat for weather, and a hat, pajamas (and at least I don't have to worry there, because I am always cold at night, so those will be sweats, and I can wear those on days that we don't need to be spiffy) enough shirts and such, and a pillow (but I got these cool camping pillows that deflate when you roll them, so those don't take up a lot of room), of course Cousin Ben, and that is it. All in one bag, because space is limited, and I will have the lap top in my back pack.
So get ready, because I will be writing more, and there are adventures to come! See you all soon.
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