I had splendid experiences on South West Trip.
I went to South West as wonderful trip with powerful Extension members and
teachers for a week last month. This trip was not only amusement but also studying
trip. We studied about South West before this trip, for example culture,
history, and tradition, so these knowledge were helpful to understand. I could find
different things between Spokane and South West, also I felt spiritual
tradition at there.
First, we visited a lot of museum. I hardly
go to museum because museum make me a little bored, but All of museum which we
visited during this trip was interesting. I could learn culture and traditional
things easily. The most enjoyable museum for me was Folk art museum. Folk means
normal, so all of objects were painted or made by people who have no ability so
much, but all of objects were fabulous. I really enjoyed to watching them.
Second, I had opportunity to talk with
cheerful students at University of New Mexico. UNM’s nick name is ’lobo’ which
mean ‘wolf’ in Spanish. We did campus tour at first. The most surprisingly fact
was students can use a lot of things free. I thought it is very useful and
convenient for them. I also impressed that library is so beautiful and comfortable
to do whatever students want. They can eat, do homework, study, sleep, listen
to music. After campus tour, we visited Japanese class. I enjoyed delightful
conversation with them. I also discussed about second language. For example,
what is the good way to study second language or what or how do we want to use
skill our second language. We enjoyed talk about this topic as second learner. I
was surprised that almost students don’t study so long, but their Japanese are
good!! Also, they have high motivation to study Japanese, so I was very happy
because they are interested in our country. I had pleasant time with them at
UNM.
Third, I felt interesting different between
Spokane and South West. First, all of structures were different because there
are adobe styles. When I arrived in South West, I was very excited because all
structures were adobe and I like adobe style. Also food were different. Chilly
is the famous food in South West, so there were a lot of spicy foods. When I
had dinner at restaurant on the first day of trip, I was surprised because it
was too hot and more spicy taste than I expected. I enjoyed finding difference
from Spokane.
Forth, I had a little uncomfortable
experience in there. First, I thought pronunciation of people who live in there
were different from people who live in Spokane. When I visited Acoma high
school and talked with students, I couldn’t understand that what did they say
to me easily, so it was more difficult to communicate, but it was interesting thing
for me. Surprisingly, some students can speak their native language, and a man
spoke to us his native language, it was first time to hear and it was graceful
opportunity. Second, I heard a lot of different language at the Grand Canyon. There
were a lot of visitor, so I could hear different languages at same time. I like
to study language, so it was stirring experience for me.
Finally, I enjoyed all of places at South
West, but my most impressive place is massive Grand Canyon. First my impression
was how huge is there. I couldn’t imagine how huge is there before I arrive
Grand Canyon. I felt magnificent nature and fresh air. Fortunately, we could
see both of beautiful sunrise and sunset view from Grand Canyon. When I saw
sunset on the first day of Grand Canyon, I felt like I’m watching Lion King which
is Disney movie. I have two enjoyable memories of Grand Canyon. First, my
wonderful group members held a party called ‘noodle party.’ We bought noodle
and some snacks to eat as dinner and enjoyed eating and talking. We lied down
to watch a lot of amazing star. The weather was so nice and clear, so we could
watch a lot of star. We also watched Milky Way clearly. It was first time to
watch it, so I was very moved. Luckily, we watched shooting star. It was also
first time for me, so I was excited and the most grateful happening was all of
us could watch big shooting star at same time. We screamed and I had gooseflesh
because it was the best shooting star of we watched. Next, I watched heavenly
sunset on second day. That day was free time, so we went to Yaki point to see
sunset. Yaki point is the best point to see sunset view. We arrived to there
earlier and we took video letter to us in the future. It will be fun when we
watch it 10 years later. After that, we could see graceful view. I was happy to
see such a wonderful view. At the Grand Canyon, I thought how small am I and
how am I empty. I also thought how was I foolish. I was a little negative
thinking, but I realized that I have limitless possibility. I think I changed my
mind after seeing gorgeous view. Visiting Grand Canyon is unforgettable memory
for me.
During this trip, I could learn about many
things and have rare experiences. I thought that there are still have their tradition
and strong spirit. It is difficult point because as one of the example, there was
a Pueblo Revolt in 1680 and Spanish came there, so it was almost impossible to
keep it, but people who especially live in Acoma pueblo (Sky city) are taking
over their traditions in the next generation. Language experiences made me
excited. I found different thing and these were interesting for me because
these were rare. At Grand Canyon, my feeling was changed from before and The
Earth Mother taught me how small am I, also I have innumerable possibility like
sky. I felt very strong feeling. These were might be not only first time but
also last time to have brilliant opportunities, but it might be one of the admirable
and unforgettable memories of Extension program.
