We Extension students had a marvelous trip to the South West the week before
last. I can't believe that this trip is finished already because I really had
been looking forward to going there for long time. All of the memories I had on
this trip are admirable.
First, I was so impressed by the atmosphere and the rows of houses and streets in Santa Fe. The buildings all are made of "adobe," a style of architecture. It is the traditional style for Native Indians who lived around Santa Fe to construct buildings. It consists of a mixture mud and straw and dried under the sun. The color is natural brownish. All of the days during trip had all good weather, so I remember well all the buildings stood against the clear blue sky. When we visited the San Miguel Mission which is also made of adobe style, I was especially stirred. Again, the contrast of color between the structure and the sky was beautiful incredibly. When I watched from the bottom of that mission to it's top, it seemed to sprout from the earth. I admired Native Indians used natural stuff to build it. When I touched the wall and I felt a little sad somehow. It probably because I knew that European spoiled and destroyed the value of Native Indians idea which to believe humans should live with nature. While eating dinner the balcony at a nice restaurant with my friends, I could hear the sound of the church bell sometimes. It gave me a feeling I never had before. Additionally, I enjoyed some conversation with clerks at shops or restaurants. I thought the people who live and whom I talked with in Santa Fe were very friendly, calm and kind. It was the first time for me to experience such a gentle trip.
Secondly, I spend fascinating time at
the Pueblo Cultural Center. I learned that Native Indian have really
been connected with nature. One their symbols "Shiwana, " which is like stair
has particular significance. There are 4 colors, and black is the dark sky
before rain, white is cloud, green is the prayers of whose live in the ground
and red is blood of people who try to convey and protect their culture and
tradition over generation. The uniform which is very traditional for Native
Indian also has meaning beyond my imagination. Their feather represents eagle
because they can fly, fly and fly toward the sky we can't see. Therefore, eagle
is connected to god's world. I respect their individual creation a lot. An
another important thing related to Native Indian is the circle. They believe
that all creations are like a circle, all things are connected with the morning
turns to the night around the earth. Although we all learned a lot about
significant meaning of their symbols, that night I knew that it is sometimes
rude to ask the meaning their symbols because they all are so sacred things and
occasionally people can't talk about them. Since I learn that, I have been
interested in the culture and value of Native Indians more.
Thirdly, I spend profound time in the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Basically, I really like to appreciate the art. I was a little sad to not have enough time to observe all the pictures by myself, but on the other hand, a guide taught us wonderful explanation which impressed me. Georgia O'Keeffe was one of the most famous artists who loved Santa Fe. She had been unique since she was young girl, and I also heard that she had been very active to make something creative. The 1st section of the museum started with several pencil drawings which faces showing, and seeing her drawing over all section in the order, I recognized her evolution. One of her astonishing ability is said that she could make new colors by herself. The evolution of that was very obvious. The beginning of this practice, the drawings were a little unstable because she must had faced difficulty to make color. However, as we were getting close to her mature arts, the color was also getting wonderful. Additionally, I think the most important thing to know about her is to have knowledge of her style of art which was abstract. Of course, I like the reality arts, but I think that abstract is a good way to describe the value as itself. For example, one of her paintings descries huge a pelvis which can cover the sky and the mountain. I admired her creativeness which isn't prepossessed with general idea.
Fourthly, visit Acoma Pueblo was so marvelous. It is called the sky city because it sets on the top of a high and strong mesa. Native Indian are still living here. Above all, the view from the mesa was amazing. Around there, just the earth and the blue sky stretch far beyond where my eyes can't reach. I felt like that the world is different from place I have lived. That world seemed almost to be in a movie or in a beautiful picture. There also, a guide told us detailed stories and sometimes I felt sad to listen to them. It was because again Europeans came there and took over the land of Native Indian. They just wanted to live with their value and culture. Why didn't European people who came to get land try to understand the difference among them? Moreover, during the tour we couldn't take notes. It would have been bad, too if we recorded what a guide says, took pictures of people lived there. It is because of their belief that they should keep their own language, culture and value by their own hands. One of my friends asked one woman who made Acoma seed pot, the traditional item there, if she can take a picture of her. The woman hesitated to take a picture. However, she didn't say "No." I thought one of characteristic of people in Acoma Pueblo is that they are calm and kind. When I was a student in school I learned history of the world such as life of Native Indian, slavery, then I thought "the history is just history." However, I think we should know there is still people's own culture and people try to keep it as their special culture. They live the present days as I do.
Finally, the Grand Canyon was special and amazing for all of us, Extension students. When I saw the Grand Canyon, I screamed! "I am here!" The rocks were beautiful and red as if they were flared. The unlimited sky was obstructed by nothing. The bottom of a ravine was too deep to see. All the time when I was at the Ground Canyon, I could not believe to be there. Each sight was unforgettable, but especially the sunset was unbelievably splendid. Close to dark, the color of the sun was getting strong and deep red. How beautiful it was. I remembered well that after the sun reach the line of precipice, it had gone at once. At that time, I really wished "Don't go," but it left us. It was transient, but I will never forget that moment. The rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are 2 billion years old. All of the Grand Canyon was huge, expansive and quiet. Now even if I am in Spokane, I think the Grand Canyon watches me and I always say to myself "Yes, I can do it." The power of nature was grand and venerable.
Through this trip, I was touched by people, culture and great nature. I absolutely think that I will never forget the memory of all of them, especially the beauty of the Grand Canyon. I sincerely appreciate my parents letting me go such a wonderful trip. Thank you, my mother and my father!
First, I was so impressed by the atmosphere and the rows of houses and streets in Santa Fe. The buildings all are made of "adobe," a style of architecture. It is the traditional style for Native Indians who lived around Santa Fe to construct buildings. It consists of a mixture mud and straw and dried under the sun. The color is natural brownish. All of the days during trip had all good weather, so I remember well all the buildings stood against the clear blue sky. When we visited the San Miguel Mission which is also made of adobe style, I was especially stirred. Again, the contrast of color between the structure and the sky was beautiful incredibly. When I watched from the bottom of that mission to it's top, it seemed to sprout from the earth. I admired Native Indians used natural stuff to build it. When I touched the wall and I felt a little sad somehow. It probably because I knew that European spoiled and destroyed the value of Native Indians idea which to believe humans should live with nature. While eating dinner the balcony at a nice restaurant with my friends, I could hear the sound of the church bell sometimes. It gave me a feeling I never had before. Additionally, I enjoyed some conversation with clerks at shops or restaurants. I thought the people who live and whom I talked with in Santa Fe were very friendly, calm and kind. It was the first time for me to experience such a gentle trip.
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| My Adorable Group 11 |
Thirdly, I spend profound time in the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Basically, I really like to appreciate the art. I was a little sad to not have enough time to observe all the pictures by myself, but on the other hand, a guide taught us wonderful explanation which impressed me. Georgia O'Keeffe was one of the most famous artists who loved Santa Fe. She had been unique since she was young girl, and I also heard that she had been very active to make something creative. The 1st section of the museum started with several pencil drawings which faces showing, and seeing her drawing over all section in the order, I recognized her evolution. One of her astonishing ability is said that she could make new colors by herself. The evolution of that was very obvious. The beginning of this practice, the drawings were a little unstable because she must had faced difficulty to make color. However, as we were getting close to her mature arts, the color was also getting wonderful. Additionally, I think the most important thing to know about her is to have knowledge of her style of art which was abstract. Of course, I like the reality arts, but I think that abstract is a good way to describe the value as itself. For example, one of her paintings descries huge a pelvis which can cover the sky and the mountain. I admired her creativeness which isn't prepossessed with general idea.
Fourthly, visit Acoma Pueblo was so marvelous. It is called the sky city because it sets on the top of a high and strong mesa. Native Indian are still living here. Above all, the view from the mesa was amazing. Around there, just the earth and the blue sky stretch far beyond where my eyes can't reach. I felt like that the world is different from place I have lived. That world seemed almost to be in a movie or in a beautiful picture. There also, a guide told us detailed stories and sometimes I felt sad to listen to them. It was because again Europeans came there and took over the land of Native Indian. They just wanted to live with their value and culture. Why didn't European people who came to get land try to understand the difference among them? Moreover, during the tour we couldn't take notes. It would have been bad, too if we recorded what a guide says, took pictures of people lived there. It is because of their belief that they should keep their own language, culture and value by their own hands. One of my friends asked one woman who made Acoma seed pot, the traditional item there, if she can take a picture of her. The woman hesitated to take a picture. However, she didn't say "No." I thought one of characteristic of people in Acoma Pueblo is that they are calm and kind. When I was a student in school I learned history of the world such as life of Native Indian, slavery, then I thought "the history is just history." However, I think we should know there is still people's own culture and people try to keep it as their special culture. They live the present days as I do.
Finally, the Grand Canyon was special and amazing for all of us, Extension students. When I saw the Grand Canyon, I screamed! "I am here!" The rocks were beautiful and red as if they were flared. The unlimited sky was obstructed by nothing. The bottom of a ravine was too deep to see. All the time when I was at the Ground Canyon, I could not believe to be there. Each sight was unforgettable, but especially the sunset was unbelievably splendid. Close to dark, the color of the sun was getting strong and deep red. How beautiful it was. I remembered well that after the sun reach the line of precipice, it had gone at once. At that time, I really wished "Don't go," but it left us. It was transient, but I will never forget that moment. The rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are 2 billion years old. All of the Grand Canyon was huge, expansive and quiet. Now even if I am in Spokane, I think the Grand Canyon watches me and I always say to myself "Yes, I can do it." The power of nature was grand and venerable.
Through this trip, I was touched by people, culture and great nature. I absolutely think that I will never forget the memory of all of them, especially the beauty of the Grand Canyon. I sincerely appreciate my parents letting me go such a wonderful trip. Thank you, my mother and my father!