Goodbye New Mexico

Throughout this week we have all learned alot. I enjoyed experiencing the Pueblo culture. It was interesting to see that we have so much in common with the Pueblo people. One of my favorite parts about this trip was Grandma. Grandma was an elderly lady of the Pueblo that openly welcomed us into her home. Grandma's big thing was family. No matter if it was blood, marriage, or just knowing someone, everyone was family. Grandma treated us as if we were all her family. I do not even know her real name because she just told us to call her Grandma. Grandma told us alot about the Pueblo culture. Pottery is big in the Pueblo, along with jewelry. This week we were also lucky to experience the St. John celebration. The men of each family who had the names of John participated in horse races. During the horse races the men would fight over a colored rope. Who ever had the rope at the end received the blessing at the end of the day. It was touching to witness the culture still thriving in the Pueblo. It saddens me that we do not have this sort of thing back in Michigan. I have learned so much on this trip. I have learned about hard work, family values, love, team work, and culture. I plan on taking this experience back to Michigan with me and sharing it with all my friends and family. I also plan on embracing any sort of culture I can find back in Michigan.

Hardcore Rafting: The Life and Times of Nick and James...

Today we went white water rafting on the Rio Grande. After the two hour bus ride, we met up with our guide and boarded our venturous vessel to begin our splash-tastic voyage. On our journey, we encountered many wondrous things that we were not necessarily accustomed to. These things ranged from mountains and fault lines to hidden feasting grounds and the seemingly unending dryness of the sun. As we paddled down the raging rapids the water seemed to calm us and give us the relaxation that we craved after our long week of work. The tranquility brought upon us by the naturally beautiful New Mexican mountainside showed us an entirely new side of the country that many of us had not previously experienced. This enlightening event taught us that we should not take for granted the opportunity that we have been given through this service trip.

I would also like to give a shoutout to Dominic, Aaron, and Kalin: Coatse amarawa? (hopefully we did not murder the spelling)

Temps

75 and breezy for the drive to Santo Domingo...95 and direct sun for the playground build and great mulch maneuver...90 and gale force winds with lightening for the beginning of the block party...

Today's wrap-up

After the group wrap-up meeting, today's highs included the block party, playing with the Native kids, and spending time with "grandma.". Lows were pretty universal...the heat and the hurricane force winds which blew sand, dirt, and wood chips into eyes, clothing, and mouths.

Another good event was meeting Steve-the-playground-guy's family and eating the salsa he and his wife made special for us.

Tomorrow we finish laying the mulch on the playground (assuming the wind hasn't blown it all away), and then we'll go to the Pueblo for lunch and the celebration of the feast of San Juan. We've been told that the events will be very "conservative" and "cultural" and we've been warned that it doesn't always go well for the chickens. On that note...

Hard labor and hospitality humbling

We spent the last two days at the Santo Domingo school working on the playground. Yesterday, we were invited to have lunch at the home of our host, Joanne. Her sister cooked for all of us, and Joanne and her grandma acted as hosts. They were so gracious and welcoming, and almost all the kids mentioned meeting 'grandma' and eating lunch in her home as the high of their day. The hospitality here is humbling. We've been welcomed openly and with genuine warmth. They take no notice or offense to our differences, and they freely answer our questions.

We've acquired some great friends here...Khalin, Aaron, and Dominic are local kids who have been working alongside us since Monday and get along with our kids very well. We'll be hosting them tonight for dinner and swimming.

We've racked up quite a lot of dirt, sweat, and grime these last two days. Some of us feel like we'll never be clean again! Our hard work has paid off. We've already cleared the large playground of a good portion of the weeds and prickers, installed a slide and climbing wall, and hosted a block party. Tomorrow we'll finish spreading the wood chips in the play area and observe a local feast day.

More pictures and videos!

The Set for Holes 2

After a long day of working at the Pueblo, we decided that we should make a "Holes 2" movie. All of us spent most of the day either weeding the dry, prickly weeds or digging holes for the slide and rock wall. At the end of the day, we were all covered in several layers of sunscreen and dirt. We also enjoyed eating lunch in the home of JoAnn's grandmother in the pueblo. (JoAnn is the director of Southwest Youth Services). We ate two types of soup made from beans, corn, pork, and hominy. We also had bread and tortillas made from their outdoor ovens.

James, Nick, and Ethan putting together the steps to the slide.

The group all worked together to bring in the slide to the playground area.

The entire group at the end of the day. The guy in front is Steve-the playground guy. He was amazing and is helping us build the playground even though he isn't required to.