Lika’s Log

Did a quickie road trip. Left Phx (Phoenix) at 4 a.m. arrived in LV at about 8:30am. Had a quick breakfast. Spouse interviewed at 10:15 am. Pau by 11am. Us wen walk around and WISH at the Forum Shops at Ceasears Palace. Den cruised down da strip and went California Hotel eat plate lunch. Started back to Phoenix. Back by 7:30pm. Fast hah.

We went ova Hoover Dam, which is the stateline; one side is AZ da ada side NV. It was like 7am when we were going over the Dam so no had traffic. But wen we came back over there was a lot of traffic cause had plenny tourist checking out da place. Its a cool place to see; since its the largest (I think) dam made or the most concrete or something, da history of it is really cool. I saw it on TV once. You can even take a tour and go down inside da Dam. Something I have no desire to do. Staying outside is fine with me, why would I want to go hundreds of feet into a tomb with water outside pressing on its walls? Call me claustraphobic.

Lake Mead is down by the way. Way down, you can see the white water mark where the lake level usually is. There is a big difference. Which means drought. You can even see these little islands that use to be under water but now you can see’um.

There’s extra traffic at Hoover Dam also because they are working on a bypass. They started in 2003 and suppose to be done about 2008. So when the bypass is done you don’t have to go thru the stop & go of going over the dam or the tourist, you can just head straight into Boulder City. Since 9/11 cars have to go thru a security check point. They kinda just make you stop, look at you and the car and let you go. I didn’t see anyone being detained or anything.

I got to go see all the Armani, Versace, Feragamo, GucciGucci stores. It inspired me to design my own stuff. LOL Except I need a pattern to sew but I could adjust here and there and make it into my own huh? It gave me ideas anyway. I felt like my olda sista; wheneva she clothes in the stores she alway says ‘oh I can make dat.’ And yea, her can. Me, I gotta experiment lilobit. *L* I was looking at these designer dresses at TADASHI’s, whoeva dat is. I guess as one Japanee designa. Anyway I was like I think I can make that. It had all this pleating, well not really pleats but was bunched up kine. I dunno how to explain it, just that if I play around with material I could figure it out. Only thing is, my stuff look OK on the outside. On the inside, auwe. *L* But nobody looks in da inside. Accept my sista would. I always look at her stuff too and goodness ja’like one tailor her sewing is so dang nice. My homemade stuff look homemade, especially da insai.

I think all that designer stuff is over rated. I went into the Coach store. You know purses and stuff. They’re cute and nice but you have to have a cute nice bunch of money for it. And I would not want to carry a purse that cost so much and I carry so little kala. I’ll just have to to Swap Meet and look for a conterfeit. LOL

Which reminds me: I bought my daughtas fake ka kine Dooney Burk bags. The orginal would go for $250 dollas! So I made care packages for da girls and sent it to them. #2 calls #1 and asks “Do you think Mom really threw down $500 for our bags?” #1 is very akamai when it comes to “labels” she’s da one dat taught her parents. LOL #1 told #2, “Look at the logo piece its plastic not leather, they’re counterfiet!” I told da girls, hey I got it on special from da Korean lady at Swap Meet.

Anyway thats where I was. *L*

Took my sister to WalMart. Most WalMarts in this area are Supercenters. You know WalMart with literary everything including a supermarket, deli, and bakery open 24/7; the whole nine.

I just assume all WalMarts are super centers and I forget that there’s a lot of WalMarts that are not. Like da ones in Hawaii aren’t. I dunno about da new one dey building in AlaMoana.

Anyway my sister was saying we needed to go to the grocery store to get meat for dinner. My daughter was like they have meat here, we can buy groceries here. My sister was freaked, she thought we were kidding. She lives in Maryland, not in an area of SuperWalMart.

WalMart has become a necessary evil of American life it seems. Can’t live with it and can’t live without it. WalMart has killed many a businesses and brought in cheaper stuff from China la dat. They are the bullies of marketing, demanding their low prices because of the huge volumes they buy. They’ve caused alot of American companys to shut down.

Some stuff from WalMart is WalMart fall-apart, doe. You get what you pay for, right. I’ve learned never to go to WalMart on the 1st of the month. Also shopping after 10pm at the 24hr WalMarts is way better then being there at 10am.

Yet WalMart is the one stop shopping most of us enjoy. Once upon a time I use to average $60 everytime I walk into WalMart. I’ve had to learn to get only what I need. Its been easy though, its called the lack of funds. No money no honey yeah. *L*

Last Sunday we had to make a quickie trip to Phoexnix. We left late Sunday aftanoon and was back Monday befoe dark. We always have #1’s Bed & Breakfast to stay at. Its just 4.5hrs down and 4.5hrs up. Just down da road da kine. *L*

We take the backroad aka 87 down to Phoenix. If you have your AZ map boys & girls; find Holbrook, AZ and go south thru da mountains. We go thru Holbrook, Heber, Payson anden Phoenix. Its bascially going down da mountain and into da valley aka Phoenix.

It was about 8:30 pm as we cruised down the mountain outside of Payson when we were treated to God’s light show. Across the mountain ranges you could see lightning happening. There was vertical white lightning striking the mountain ranges anden there would be yellow lightning streaking horizontally along da mountain range. It was really pretty, ja’like God taking our picture kine.

After one of the many lightning strikes we notice smoke from one of the mountain tops. So thats how the wildfires start. Then as we got another 20 miles or so down da road we noticed alot of smoke ahead of us. As we continued to drive towards Phoenix we could tell there was a big wildfire on the other side of the mountain to our left. The smoke got thicker and you could smell it really heavy and as we wind down da mountain, next thing we up on the ridge we could see yellow and red flames dancing in da dark.

It was really pretty but also very spooky cause fires spread so fast. It look like it was close to highway but really it was like 10 miles or more away. You could see the line of fire getting closer to the road. Then Husband reminded me, watch for animals. Oh shoot, the deer and elk going be running towards da road yeah.

Moe worst some people so ignorant, I swear; they go pull ova on da side and go watch try take pic-cha la dat. For one thing there was plenny cars headed back into Phoenix since it was Sunday night and plus there’s not a large shoulder to be parking. So it becomes frkng bottleneck traffic. Its called a WILDFIRE for a reason, you don’t stop and be tourist; hello.

The mountain side was lighted up really pretty in yellows, orange and reds. Very mesmerizing. I thought of Pele. Because the line of fire looked like lava flowing. “I think Pele was vacationing in Arizona.”

Anden as we get into Phoenix what do we see? The car in front of us, flicks out a cigarette. If that cigarette had hit some dry grass and shrubs there would have been another fire. People can be so ignorant sometimes. Some people have no respect for the land or nature.

Anyway the Four Peaks fire was contained and did not reach the road. In fact the we went back home the same way and could see all da blackened hills. Oh and we did see one dead deer so car did have a run in with an animal. That’s so scarey. We hit a deer once, very scarey stuff.

If you’re ever cruising I-40 and going thru Gallup, NM eat at Earl’s. The place is located on the east side of Gallup located between Pizza Hut & Kristy’s. You’ll see da Kristy’s sign before you see the Earl’s sign. It located on the old Rt 66, as in get your kicks on Rt 66. Or something like that.

Earl’s is an old family restaurant that goes back a couple of generations. The have American & Mexican food along with Navajo Tacos and/or Frybread hamburger. Navajo Tacos is what some people call Indian tacos; same ting, depends where you live. Its a frybread which is da size of one plate literally covered with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions and green or red chile. Note: In New Mexico restaurants they usually ask “red or green?” as in red or green chile. They are talking about red chili sause or green chile sause as in the vegtable NOT chile beans that comes out of a can.

Fry bread is basically flour, water, salt, baking soda made into a dough anden a piece of dough is flattened and deep fired in grease. Serious cholesteral but ono. It taste good with just honey on it. Or some people just eat it plain with salt.

Yes its unhealthy, so what else is new. A Fry bread hamburger is basical using fry bread instead of a bun. The hamburger is cut in half and the fry bread is folded in half with all da stuff in it, so it looks like a huge taco. Anyway if you never had or rarely have fry bread this is a good place to get it. Oh yeah and a note about fry bread. It is always FRY Bread. It is never “Fried” Bread. Of course haoles (aka Billahgahnah’s in Navajo) may disagree, I don’t care or Ainokea. Its plain ole Fry Bread, leave it alone.

The coolest thing about Earl’s is that you can eat and shop! Vendors are allowed to sell their stuff to you. As you eat they come to your table. If you don’t want to be bothered, then go sit in the unsocialable section. Anyway, as you eat vendors will stop at your table and show you their arts and crafts. There are some really cool stuff and people are so creative. Most is jewelry and beadwork and most are native but not all.

On the outside of Earls there are a bunch of tables where more vendors sell their arts and crafts. There are a lot of stuff you don’t see in stores and if you did they would ask for an arm and a leg; kinda like gas. LOL But the good thing too, if you chang la dat, you can haggle with the vendors.

At Christmas time you can kill two birds with one stone; shop and eat at da same time.

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Going holoholo to OKC & Tahlequah, OK. Going to see my daughters play in a fast pitch softball tournament & celebrate #1’s 32nd birthday. Gosh I have old kids. LOL Anden going to vistit my In-laws. I’m going to compare the heat of Phx to the heat & humidity of Oklahoma. hehehehe Be back Tues or Wed or weneva.

K~den bumby.

Another road trip/spouse interview. Gila Bend, AZ! Where in blazes is Gila Bend, AZ? Wea out dea in da blazes, in da middle of da dessert! 109degrees yesterday, 112 today. Can you say: HOT!

Get out your Arizona maps, boys and girls for todays Arizona geography lesson. Find Phoenix and find Yuma, then somewhere inbetween out in nowhere is Gila Bend. So it would on the botton to the left, also known as southwestern part of the state. Yuma is on the CA/AZ stateline on the Mexican border. Gila Bend is maybe 40 miles north of the Mexcian border. Hijole!

What’s in Gila Bend other then a school and the Gila Monsters? A truck stop, McDonald, Burger King, Taco Bell, A&W, 3 or 4 gas stations, 1 large grocery store, 4 or 5 motels, plenny houses (population 2,000) ok not that many houses; and plenny abandon buildings.

What’s a Gila Monster? Its a big ass lizard that lives in the dessert! I ain’t seen one in person, just in pictures. I don’t want to see one in person and I don’t think they wanna see me so we’re even.

And that boys and girls is your Arizona lesson of the day. LOL

The following is an article about Gallup, NM. Gallup is the closes city aka the closes WalMart to me, 30 miles down da road. I live on the Arizona/New Mexico stateline. Its known as the 4 Corners area. Gallup has always had its issues as a border town. It is a border town to the Navajo and Zuni Reservation. One of its main issues is its reputation as a Drunktown. With that said Gallup, NM is also the home of at least 21 millionaires; none of which are Native.

Tension Over Who Prospers in Indian Capital

By CHARLIE LeDUFF

GALLUP, N.M., July 15 - This town is lonesome, neon-lighted, tough. They say there are 20 bars in Gallup, 30 churches, 30 pawnshops and 60 trading posts.

It is a town with 20,000 people, on a stretch of old Route 66 near the Arizona border. On the outskirts live at least 250,000 Indians. Navajo, Hopi, Pueblo, Zuni. This makes Gallup the Indian capital of the United States, and it is the Indians who make Gallup rich and poor.

Tourists come for their jewelry. The mining companies come for their coal. The government checks come at the beginning of the month. Somehow, the Indians remain poor. Unemployment among the Navajo hovers around 50 percent.

Of the 60 resale operations that sell Indian jewelry across town, the majority are owned by whites, and about one-quarter are owned by Arabs, newcomers called Hindians by clever locals who are not clever enough to tell the Middle East from the Indian subcontinent.

Indians make most of the jewelry sold in Gallup. But knockoff merchandise has flooded the market, causing the price for legitimate, handmade goods to drop.

Indian jewelers are trying to organize a boycott against the Arab merchants, who they believe are importing sham products.

It has not been successful. In need of cash, many Indian jewelry makers cannot help themselves when their stomachs come calling. They sell pieces for cheap to the merchants, who mark them up 2, 5, even 10 times the purchase price.

Some sell to the trading post, others to the pawnshop. Either way, it is a non-Indian who profits.

This has created the boil.

“You can blame Indian people for their inability to get things together,” says Tom Arviso, publisher of The Navajo Times. “But there are a lot of sleazy guys on Front Street making it off Indian people. They take advantage of their needs.”

Arabs see it differently.

“Don’t blame the Arab for the way the market works,” said Ehab Maadi, a native Palestinian who owns the Apache Trading Company. “Some squeeze harder than others. But we the newcomers are caught in the old history here that we had nothing to do with. The resentment, I usually hear it when people are drunk.”

For 100 years, it was the whites who profited in trade with the Indians, taking beads and saddles and blankets as collateral for food and clothing until it was time to ship cattle to Chicago or shear sheep for wool. Over the years, the pawn business developed, where the broker takes 10 percent the first month, 4 percent every month thereafter. Today, Indians account for 90 percent of the pawn clientele.

Now it is the Arabs who own a large and growing part of both the jewelry and pawn trades.

“The Arabs are taking over, and we don’t like it,” said Marie Perry, a Navajo jeweler who will no longer sell to the Arab merchants because, she says, the prices are too low and their business style is rude.

“I’d rather sell to the Americans,” she said. “At least I know the white people. They’re fair.”

The first Arabs appeared here about 30 years ago, selling scarves and linen to tourists from their trunks. They discovered first Indian jewelry and second a market for it. They have flourished on the Internet. They are blamed for importing imitations from China and the Philippines.

The problem has gotten so bad, an estimated 40 percent of the stock in Gallup is knockoff, said Ralph A. Richards, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and a white man who is trying to help form a cooperative of Indian artists and vendors. State and federal law prohibit selling goods as Indian made if they are not.

“The forgeries are against the law,” Mr. Richards said. “But it’s almost impossible to launch a boycott. When it gets down to it, people need a dollar.”

The pawn and jewelry business pulls in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, Mr. Richards estimates, from tourists, Internet sales and people down on their luck.

“The pawn goes back a long time, before we even knew we had a country here,” said Bill Richardson, of Richardson’s Trading Company and Cash Pawn, established in 1913. His store is packed with silver and wool and jade and redolent of leather saddles. He is a white man who speaks Navajo.

“It’s the Arabs that got a reputation of exploiters,” he said, not kindly. “Indian people been coming to me four generations. We’ve got a relationship built up. It’s almost family. I don’t sell fakes.”

Mr. Maadi says he does not sell fakes either. But that is how it goes with stereotypes.

“We and the Indians, I tell them we have a similar history and we should not have problems,” he said. “But most don’t even know their own history. It’s an oasis of illiteracy.”

Did a little road trip yesterday. Went to Alamo, New Mexico. Where in da blazes is Alamo, NM you ask?

Get your NM map out boys & girls for a geography lesson. The easiest way to find Alamo, NM on the map is to find Albuquerque which is in the middle towards the left of the map, right? Go south aka down I-25 till you reach Soccorro, NM. At Soccorro go west. West is left, right? Anyway find Magdalena, NM. Alamo is located 30 miles north (aka up).

If we go that route it would take 3.5 hrs maybe. We went home that way. But we went there via a back road it cuts an hour off. From I-40 you can turn sought and there’s a road that goes into the mountains. Its used only by people who live in the area. There’s no traffic. Probably cause its not paved. Well actually its a 60 mile road of which maybe 10 is paved. It gravel & clay and way out there. If you wanna tear up your car, use that road. A cell phone is of no use out there because you have no signal for a 60 mile radius. It its literally out in no where. I felt like I was going hunting or something.

We went to the Alamo Navajo Reservation. The commuity is remote in the sense that it mainly has a school and clinic. Husband went to hand in an application for HS Principal.

You would think out in da boonies la dat no moe locals. Ada den me. Wrong! My girlfriend works there. She is the Director of Early Childhood Learning Center. Funny yeah. She first started there in the 80’s as a 1st grade teacher. Her grad, Moanaloa. Anyway I met her back in day when we both lived in Soccorro, NM.

She is Pakay/Visayan. Looks Pakay but she starts talking and its PortageeVisayan. I’ve always told her she should teach at home cause she is really good. And she says she no moe slant eye. I’m like hello try go look in da mirror, you no see Pakay. She goes, oh I mean I get da wrong last name. She get one Filipino last name. So. Anyway she’s so good, Hawaii couldn’t pay her what she makes in da mainland now.

It was a nice day for a roadtrip and visit with old friends.

I went to Phoenix. 105 degrees on Saturday 109 degrees on Sunday. Can you say HOT! Ja’like one oven. But its a dry heat. My okole, yeah its dry so wot, hot is hot, hello. Hoooo da kine.

Gotta drink plenny watah. Its like I can’t get enuff watah. Anden gotta shishi long time. Wot goes in muss come out yeah. Anyway wit out watah I feel all dehydrated and like ova heated. LOL

We went to Phoenix by way of Salt River Canyon. Its a nice drive. A big ass canyon with some serious curves and twist and turns going down hill anden up. Coming home we went by way of Sedona. Very scenic, da red rocks, da expensive homes, da tourist on da road, more curvey roads. Its 20 degrees cooler in Sedona den in Phoenix. It was 109 in Phx and 89 in Sedona. Wow. *L*

#1 Daughta lives in Phoenix so us wen go see her. Go mall, go movies, go eat, of course. There are a gazillion cars on the freeways of Phoenix, I swear. Like no moe such thing as no traffic. To me its all traffic. Traffic and heat. Can you imagine if you don’t have air condition in your car and you stuck in traffic? Yuck. Anden leaving Phoenix by way of I-17 there are signs that say using your air condition can ovaheat your car. But do people listen. No dey just race up da mountain.

Phoenix is nice doe. I just visit. Don’t think I could handle the bumper to bumper traffic every day.