Shiprock Navajo Fair

Shiprock while I waited in the traffic jam.

So . . . I had a decision to make.  I had already decided to go to the annual Navajo Fair at Shiprock when I realized that it was Cowboy Poetry weekend.  By the time I found out about the cowboy weekend, I had already missed several of the events.  Plus, I was still recuperating from the ten mile hike.  Ultimately, I decided that yes, I did want to attend the Navajo Fair.

From where I'm now living, it takes about an hour and a half to get to Shiprock.  It seemed to take a little longer, though.  Then, when I arrived, I sat in a bumper to bumper traffic jam for three, count 'em, three hours.  I expected the traffic jam, but not the three hours.  I don't think it took me that long last year . . . but, I came from a different direction.  But, since I was forewarned, I brought two books, a pad of paper, and my rhyming dictionary!  After reading some and writing some new verses for a story I'm working on, since the traffic didn't seem like it was letting up, I called my Aunt Claire, who lives in Los Angeles.  After a half hour conversation, I was still stuck in traffic.  Meanwhile, it was getting later and later, and I had to leave by 4:30 . . . I knew Moki would be on the couch with his legs crossed as it was.

While I was stuck in traffic, there were vendors in the median about every hundred yards . . . selling pickles, tamales, roast mutton, soft drinks and water.  Closer to town, there were political posters all over . . . with local stuff like chapter president/secretary and farm board.  It was an interesting glimpse of the area.  Oh, yeah, this is on the Navajo Reservation.  I did get a kick out of the sign that said that seat belts were a law . . . even on the "Res!"

I finally got parked and into the Fair just past 1:30.  I got the senior rate!  Score!  I have to say that even after sitting in the car for more than three hours, when I stepped into that fair, I just had a feeling of overwhelming joy.  These are my people.  Honestly.  How could I possibly not believe in reincarnation when I feel such a huge connection with these people.  And I always have . . . ever since I was a kid.

Anyway, back to my day.  First of importance was eating.  I wanted a roast mutton sandwich . . . mutton is sheep!  I asked the vendor if he had raised it or if it was store-bought, and unfortunately it was store-bought, so I didn't get it.  Instead, I got a Navajo taco . . . fry bread, pinto beans, lettuce, tomato and cheese.  It was good, but the fry bread was a little greasy and I got a little upset stomach afterward.

Usually, I can count on one hand how many non-Indians are at this fair, but today they were fifteen or more.  Anyway, next was seeing the dancers.  I love the costumes, and the music strikes a deep primeval chord in my body . . . I can't help moving to the beat.  I think it was the kind of dance that anyone can join in, but I got there too late to hear that announcement, so I didn't chance it.  I would have liked to, though.

I walked around through the vendors and display info area.  That's where I was when I was a vendor for John and his newspaper so many years ago.  Remember, I lived with John and Pat on their ranch in northern New MExico?  Anyway, it was interesting.  Then, the arts and crafts area.  That was stunning.  Some really cool things in there.

AFter that, I walked through the crowds at the carnival area, and finally to the INdian Market.  That's one of my favorite things to see when I come to this fair.  I kind of wanted to buy some sacred corn pollen, but it's really expensive.  It's like ten dollars for this teesy tincey little bit.  I couldn't justify it for something that was pretty much a lark.  I walked all around through all the booths.  It was enjoyable, as usual.  

Then, I walked all the way back to the main fair area, and bought a three dollar Shiprock Fair t-shirt that I saw on the way in.  I couldn't help myself.  Then, I went back to the vendor info area and bought a poster of a horse with all his body parts labeled in Navajo!  I thought that was so cool!  

The dancing . . . 

Navajo:  horses, sheep, hogan, dogs, and 2012 - - an iPad!

I was tired after such a long day . . . even if most of it had been spent in traffic . . . and it was time to go home.  I was so tired that I had to ask my angels to keep me safe on the way home.  It worked . . . cause I got here safely!

All in all . . . everything considered . . . did I make the right choice of going to the NAvajo Fair instead of attending some cowboy poetry events?  You bet I did!  Because . . . while I was at the booth buying the horse poster, I got a new idea for a Navajo culture story!  It will be for kids, and I already checked Amazon and there's only one and a half books on it!  I am so jazzed!  Although I am in the middle of two and a half projects, it's mostly illustrations . . . so, I can still do some research to prepare for my newest story.  It's going to be great!  And . . . it's about a coyote . . . and before I went to bed that night, I heard coyotes howling just outside my window.  Although, I hear them often, hearing them THAT night was definitely a sign!!