Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Apache signal quality
At a hotel in Winslow AZ with no internet - but turned on the computer in order to look at the pics I took today. Then up pops the little info-bubble "Wireless Network Detected". Come to double click on that and, what do you know? The nearby Apache reservation appears to have a network I can borrow; and so do the Zuni's. The Apache's signal quality is better. We had a great day: found and arrowhead, saw some dino footprints and a Navajo "Newspaper Rock" of petroglyphs. We did not see the Condors. Then we got bummed by the hostile reception of the Hopi res. I don't know why they don't just put up a sign saying - "Visitors not Welcome". One of their traffic cops followed me for 10 miles hoping to catch me speeding - right on out of their territory: he thought I did not see him back there but I saw him alright - we had just finished trying out the rental car at 100 mph before slowing down to his location. Op! gotta go, Galaxy quest is on cable. Yes we saw some rock piles; but all in good time.
There are a number of reasons they are protective of the Rez. First and foremost, pot-hunters are a HUGE problem out here. Graves are robbed on a weekly basis in Arizona.
ReplyDeleteDrugs are also a huge problem, particularly meth, which is at epidemic proportions.
Tourists are generally unwelcome just about anywhere in Hopi country with the exception of Walpi, which offers tours of the village.
One tip, though -- if you want to feel a bit more welcome, find a crafts or silver jewelry shop in a village, stop, and spend some money.
Galaxy Quest--Tim Allen really made me laugh with his Wm. Shatner impression!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'll be gone from Saturday June 2 to Sunday June 10, up to Ulster County, NY. I'll check in to email occasionally, but probably not much else. So if I seem quiet . . .
ReplyDeleteI was wrong about where the wireless network was coming from - it was from within the hotel.
ReplyDelete