USA - Urlaub 2002

Urlaub April 2002 (2. Teil)


Navajo - Gedicht:

deutsch:

Das ist es nicht!

Das Navajo-Reservat, ein Ort der Einsamkeit?
Das ist es nicht!
Die Sonne am Himmel,
in klarem Blau,
oder grau und regnerisch,
jeder Tag ist fröhlich,
es ist die Natur.
Kein Ort der Einsamkeit.
Ein Navajo-Haus schäbig und klein?
Das ist es nicht!
Im Innern ist Liebe,
herzhaftes Lachen,
und starkes Gespräch.
Aber am besten -
es ist daheim,
mit einer offenen Tür,
und Raum für alle.
Kein Schloß könnte mehr haben.

english:

It is Not!

The Navajo Reservation a lonesome place?
It is Not!
The skies are sunny,
Clear blue,
Or gray with rain.
Each day is gay-
In Nature´s way.
It is not a lonesome place at all.
A Navajo house shabby and small?
It is Not!
Inside there`s love,
Good laughter,
And Big Talk.
But best-
It´s home
With an open door
And room for all.
A castle could have no more.

"It Is Not" was composed by fifth-year group in the Special Navajo Program in 1940.
It appeared in The New Trail, the Phoenix Indian School yearbook, in 1953.


VACATION APRIL 2002

deutsch auf: www.7meilen.de !!!

The Spiritual and Traditional World of the Navajo Native Americans

A sixteen-day journey on the Pollen Path

An Immersion into the Culture and Spirituality of the Navajo Indians

A unique and authentic journey deep into the Navajo Reservation led
by our expert and experienced Navajo guide. The Navajo Indians are one
of the few tribes that succeeded in preserving their culture and
spirituality. We do not come as tourists; rather we live and
experience the unadulterated customs, ceremonies and crafts of the
tribe.

7Meilen Erlebnisreisen is the first tour operator in Europe that
takes small groups to the foot of the Navajo Mountain on the Rainbow
Plateau. This area belongs to the Navajo Nation and is home to a
little known mythology and spirituality. The terrain is not easily
accessible.

At an elevation of 2 000 m, the Rainbow Plateau extends from the
wooded peak of the Navajo Mountain (3 116m) to the city of Page
70 km further west, situated in the Southwest corner of the state of
Utah. Most Navajo Indians there live in their traditional ways in
harmony with nature. The Navajo Mountain is one of the 6 holy
mountains of the tribe. Still today, their highly respected
medicine man Buck Navajo conducts ceremonies on the peak of the
mountain. The Rainbow Plateau is sparsely populated and only
accessible over a bumpy dirt road. Aside from this road, there are
only foot paths and ancient shepherd trails.


7Meilen Erlebnisreisen includes the following activities:

The physical part with Navajo guidance:

- Building a sweat lodge from local materials
- Basket weaving after collecting the required raw materials, such as Sumac branches
- Pottery making with traditional materials provided by "Mother Earth"

The spiritual part with Navajo guidance:

- Participation in sweat lodge ceremony
- Learning about the "stories" and mythology of the Navajo Indians
- Meeting with Buck Navajo, revered medicine man and healer

Hikes through the wild terrain with Navajo guidance:

Examples: Light half-day hikes on old Indian trails to Anazasi ruin
on top of a mesa. Visit with the medicine man, Buck Navajo, who
lives in the secluded Piute Canyon according to the old traditions.
Hikes to the San Juan River, at Lake Powell, that plays an important
role in Navajo mythology.


Navajo Mountain

The Tour Itinerary ( Sequence and details subject to change)

Day 1:
Air travel from Germany to Las Vegas, the glittering mirage in the
Nevada desert. Transfer to the hotel and exploration of Las Vegas
(on your own).

Day 2:
By minivan across famous Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon, one of the
seven natural wonders of the earth. View this breathtaking chasm and
geologic record of eons. Overnight stay in hotel.


The Grand Canyon and me

Day 3:
Drive over an adventurous dirt road to the home of our Navajo host
deep in the Navajo tribal territory. Dinner and reflection on the
coming days. Overnight stay in a traditional hogan.


Our home for some nights

Days 4 - 6:
Hike or ride in four-wheel drive vehicle on old Indian trails to a
location where we will experience a sweat lodge ceremony.
The remainder of the day and the next day are for rest and
contemplation. Return hike at the end of the third day.


Cha-Canyon hiking tour

Days 7-12:
We practice traditional basket weaving and pottery making. As we
work with natural raw materials, we learn about the stories and
myths that are connected with these Navajo crafts. A visit to a
school will give us insight into the political and social structure
of the tribe. Since we are closely connected to a Navajo family, we
also experience a Navajo's personal life. We meet with Buck Navajo,
a revered medicine man, who is in high demand throughout the tribe.
He lives according to the tenets of the Pollen Path, promotes
traditional values and heals the sick. He will give us insight into
the rich mythology and inherited wisdom of the tribe. There will be
hikes on the Rainbow Plateau, the heart of Navajo country. We will
come across hidden places with ruins and petroglyphs of the ancient
tribe of the Anasazi Indians. We will swim and relax at Lake Powell,
one of the most impressive inland bodies of water in the world,
created by the Glen Canyon dam.


Sara makes fry bread


Pottery and me

Day 13:
Continuation of the tour to Monument Valley, into which we ride on
horseback with an Indian guide. Overnight in the open air.

(horseback riding was unfortunately not possible!)

The last horse in the Monument Valley!

Day 14:
We turn west to the city of Page, Arizona, at the Glen Canyon dam.
We descend into Antelope Canyon, a deep and very narrow "crack" in
the earth, a so-called slot Canyon with beautiful and bizarre rock
formations. We continue to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Overnight in hotel.


Antelope-Canyon and me

Days 15 and 16:
Drive to Las Vegas. Rest and reflection. Return flight to Germany
the next day. Arrival on day 17.

Summary of services included in the price:
- Tour emphasizing local environment and Indian culture, max. 8 participants
- Sweat lodge ceremony and introduction to the traditional and spiritual life of the Navajo Indians
- Meeting with a medicine man
- Indian guide while in the Navajo Reservation
- All meals while in the reservation; lunch packages on hikes (vegetarian food upon request)
- Horseback ride into Monument Valley (Jeep transportation possible)
- Four nights in hotels, 9 nights in a traditional hogan
- Round trip airfare Germany-Las Vegas, all airport transfers
- All entrance fees where applicable

Requirements:
Good physical condition and sure-footedness to permit easy hikes
of 2-5 hours
Horseback riding will not require equestrian experience
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond date of travel

Times:
April 12 to 27. 2002
October 4 to 19. 2002 (coinciding with school vacation in Berlin)

Price:
EURO 2.143.-, double occupancy; extra charge of EURO 120.- for single occupancy

Not included in the price:
Meals in Las Vegas and on the road (about $ 150.-)
Personal incidentals

Thanks to Astrid, the tour guide! I had a great vacation!


Leo