This morning My husband catches the boys swapping toys. Dylan wants to swap an old McDonald’s Ben 10 toy that he’s had for years, for one of Hamish’s brand new transformer rescue bots that he got for Christmas. “Well that’s hardly a fair trade,” Fletch explains to Dylan. And the sad thing is, Hamish really wants the Ben 10 toy so he’ll give up anything for it, not realizing he’s getting fleeced. In actual fact I’m not sure who is claiming real ownership of Ben 10. I talked Dylan into giving it to Hamish when he first got it but then when we got here he lost alot of his toys in the move and reclaimed a whole heap of things, including baby books back from Hamish. Provenance undecided, perhaps I can get it to the recycle bin without either of them giving it another thought!
Since coming here I have been obsessed with everything Native American Indian. It started with a beautiful piece of silver jewellery that I found in an antique shop. A ring which is silver and inlaid with coloured stones to make a little cardinal, (my other obsession). It is in a “Zuni style” and after purchasing it I went on a quest to find out more about the tribe and their silversmithing designs. They are just things that I can bring home which will remind me of being here.
On the weekend we visited the Smithsonian Native American Indian museum. It has beautiful bronze statues placed throughout the museum and lots of wonderful artifacts. We learn a whole lot about the Indigenous culture, sports, games, mythology, clothing etc from a variety of native groups. We teach Dylan how to look at the panel charts to read what specific artifacts are about and the resourcefulness of people in a time when one did not just go to the shops to buy things. They see real Aztec gold pieces – their pirate obsession keeps them engaged at the coin display for ages.
The boys build an Igloo made out of these cushions that you construct by following the numbers. “Hamish the Home-wrecker” just wants to smash it down. Lots of people stand and watch from the side. But eventually other kids loose their coyness and help build. Actually there are lots of great little interactive exhibits for the kids. They can look at different styles of houses as Native American’s encompasses alot of different regions and people. They weave giant baskets and they have these passports which they go and stamp with native tribe stamps. There is a great cafeteria there where you can get all different types of Native American foods. Check out this link to their winter menu. Fancy some ox tongue soup? Fletch tries buffalo chili and I go for a pulled stewed buffalo meat sandwich. The boys are so very adventurous and have chicken strips, with chips of course, “is this Indian too?” Dylan enquires.
Today brings no words, not any that will make chicken tenders and chips into Native Indian cuisine.
No Words, Just Thoughts... 