How Important It Is to Protect Tradition and Nature

During the Southwest Trip, we saw, listened and felt lots of new cultures. They were really different from Japanese. The biggest reason why I felt so is people really treasured their traditions in New Mexico and Arizona; for example, Acoma Pueblo, Adobe buildings and national monuments. Besides, those states still have a rich natural environment such as the Grand Canyon and the Sunset Crater. To protect and succeed unique traditions and beautiful nature is really important.

Acoma Pueblo

Almost everyone including me would not live without any electrical appliances; however, Acoma Indians unbelievably do. Actually, they have cars and cell phones though; their life is absolutely different from our life. First of all, their houses are located in a particular place. They live in Acoma Pueblo, on top of a high mesa, and it is called “Sky City”. There are no shopping malls or theaters around there, so I wondered what young people usually do after school or weekends. Therefore, I asked high school students that when we visited Acoma high school. They answered playing sports or visiting Albuquerque. Surprisingly, it takes two hours each way by car. Also, I asked about their families. There are many members in their families, and their views of family are really different from Japanese teenagers’. Acoma Indians treasure their tradition so much, and it is passed from their elders; thus, all of my partners really respect their parents and ancestors. Although they are younger than me, they are dependable and seem to be proud of their tribe. That is why Acoma tradition has come over until now and will succeed in the future.

The San Miguel Mission

Also, a row of buildings along the street in Albuquerque and Santa Fe was really unique and pretty. It is because most structures were built by Adobe. According to Barbara, there are some rules to keep the appearance and the atmosphere of these cities. For example, when they build a new house, they have to choose a color of a building from only earth colors. Therefore, we saw only orange or pink buildings there. I am used to surround by high buildings in my country, so I felt strange a little bit, but it was fresh and so sweet. All buildings like not only restaurants and gift shops but also a university and churches were Adobe style. I enjoyed visiting these buildings especially churches. We visited three churches such as the San Miguel Mission, Saint Francis Cathedral and the Loretto Chapel at Santa Fe. Each one was absolutely different from others, but I would like to focus on only architecture in this time. The San Miguel Mission was built by Adobe, so the height was short and the windows were very small because Adobe is so heavy. Saint Francis Cathedral also used Adobe. However, it was mixed with three architecture styles like Adobe, French Romanesque and Modern. As I mentioned before, almost all buildings were Adobe style, but the Loretto chapel is an exception. It was built from blocks, so it was tall and sharp and stood out in the city. Each church has their own characteristic because of history and religion, and to compare and contrast them was interesting to me. I liked the peculiar Adobe buildings and the atmosphere in Albuquerque and Santa Fe so much.

Wupatki National Monument

Not only present buildings but also we visited former people’s houses such as Wupatki National Monument and Montezuma Castle. Both of them were built in 1100, so those buildings have existed for about 900 years. The same age was called Heian period in Japan, and it was a time for nobles. Japanese nobles lived in a huge and gorgeous palace, and they also had all rights of politics. Their houses have been carefully maintained still, so we can see how their lives were different from now. However, it was only a few rich people’s lives, and I do not know so much about the public citizens’ lives. It is because we have few evidences to know their daily lives. On the other hand, there are lots of signs to know old citizens’ real life like Wupatki National Monument and Montezuma Castle in this country. I think it is the big difference about history between the U.S. and Japan. Those monuments would be more valuable as passing time from now on. Therefore, we have to protect such a precious evidence of former people. 

The Grand Canyon

In addition, the other important thing that we must succeed to future generations is nature. As most people come to like it when they see it, I am one of them who were attracted by the Grand Canyon. I was surprised that it is 4 billion 560 million years old. I cannot imagine how it is long and what this huge canyon experienced during such a long time. It became the present shape as mixing with many elements such as weather and time. It was just amazing. Unfortunately, lots of nature is disappearing in my country. To build beautiful natural environment takes very long, but to destroy it is so easy and takes just a moment. Too many people do not notice that yet. Therefore, I am afraid of our future. It is too late after all natural worlds will disappear from our earth. Also, as humans break nature, we take away not only the beautiful scenery but also lives of animals and plants living there. The earth and nature are not human’s belonging, and it is the home of all animal beings. I think humans just think about themselves all the time, but we have to care about other creatures more.  When I saw the Grand Canyon as one of World Heritage Sites, I realized that again. We must never forget reflection and gratitude to nature forever.

Sunset Crater

I also felt the strong natural power at Sunset Crater. The volcanic eruption happened there 900 years ago. It seems very long time ago, but we can see the damage still even though 900 years has already passed. Right after the natural disaster occurred, black volcanic ashes lay all around the crater. Besides, this area does not have enough water, so it is really hard for plants to grow up there. However, the ashes improved the soil and the land is gradually getting back green trees and grass. From this, we can see how nature has a strong power. The damage that a natural disaster gives us is so big and scary, but also nature has great vitality. Even though it is under the hard situation, plants try to grow somehow. I felt both these good and a little bad points of nature at Sunset Crater.

I went to many new places, touched by people’s lives and opinions, and thought about lots of things during this Southwest Trip. Their culture was totally different from ours, so I could think from the fresh point of view. I was excited and impressed by those unaccustomed cultures, and then I really felt that we have to treasure our own tradition and nature. I realized the importance of protecting each tradition and nature for a long time and also succeed them from now on.