THE HOPI LANDS
Eventually, we came to a large sign, like in a really big, can't be missed sign. It contained a severe warning that the United States Government ended at this point and everyone therein was subject to the laws of the Hopi Indian Counsel. Then, there was a long list of "THOU SHALL NOTS". No exposed skin, dress had to be modest. No pictures, recordings or paintings, promising dire consequences. The list went on.
Eventually, we came to the Hopi "town". There was one gas station and a few residentual buildings, looking to probably have been built by the government. We were on E, empty, when we almost coasted into the gas station. At this point in time, if you remember, one did not pump one's own gas. That was a NO-NO, and we wanted to avoid any no-no's.
A half dozen, or so, Indians were sitting on a bench outside the gas station. There was no one in the station so I told the men outside that I needed some gas, being as friendly as possible. They never acknowledged that I was there, didn't act like they saw me. My crew was scared to death. I wasn't scared and knew one thing for certain, I wasn't leaving that station without gas.
After maybe an hour, a pickup truck pulled in for gas. The truck was identified as a U. S. Government Indian Agency truck, driven by a woman in uniform. I was on her like white on rice. She was, shall I say solemn. She explained that these were very poor people and they didn't want me there with my shiny van and trailer. She said she would arrange for me to have my tank filled. Afterwards, she advised, that I go to the local Museum with a camp ground, spend the night and leave the reservation. SOUNDED LIKE A PLAN TO ME.
There was nothing in the campground, but there was a house trailer with a caretaker, on the U.S. Government dole, no doubt. We toured the museum, which wasn't that extensive, to be kindly, ate at their restaurant, and returned to the trailer.
I built a fire and was roasting marshmallows when two indian children, maybe 8 and 10 showed up. They tasted the toasted marshmallows, made a face and spit them out. They loved the frisbee, however, and played a bit. |
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