No longer a teenager

Well it's official. I'm no longer a teenager. Twenty didn't start off feeling too great because the heat at the camper didn't work last night, so I was freezing all night long. It was also raining and muddy. And then my truck wouldn't start for a while. It was determined that the starter is probably going out. Wouldn't it be lovely for it to die on me somewhere other than the house? But other than that.... Things have been alright. The volunteer group made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I got a free Okiciyapi Tipi sweatshirt (really old and stained, but I'll wear it anyway).

The real story isn't my birthday, but what happened yesterday. After the beautiful drive to Timber Lake, I rode with the volunteers out to Larry's house for a sweat ceremony. The ride to his house was just as beautiful as the ride to Timber Lake. South Dakota is definitely one of the most beautiful states I have ever seen. The sweat itself was one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had. You go in barefoot into a circular lodge and everyone sits crosslegged. Then the hot rocks are brought in from a fire outside. When they come in they're glowing. Then the leader (Larry in this case) douses them with water from a hollow buffalo horn to clear the ash. After that, the ceremony starts. The door to the lodge is closed completely leaving the lodge in complete darkness. I've never been so hot in my life. I probably sweated a gallon or more. The leader sings prayers to Wankan Tanka (Great Mystery or Spirit aka God). It's so relaxing, and the heat forces you to focus on things you would otherwise not focus on. I had realizations about loved ones that I had been striving for for a long time.

After that, Tanya, Larry's wife, served us stew that was delicious, and we 'smoked' the peace pipe (no one actually inhaled the smoke). Larry's house has one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Driving 7 miles on a gravel road is almost worth that view.

Here are some pictures of the sweat lodge and the view from Larry's house. 

Birthday eve

So tomorrow is my twentieth birthday! And it's supposed to be cold and stormy.... go figure. I'm not sure what Larry has planned yet, but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be very amusing.

Today I drove out to a little town called Timberlake to pick up some t-shirts for our volunteers. It was about 45 miles away. I have to admit, I was afraid at first to drive Ol' Blue (my truck) that far, but it turned out to be great. In fact, it was so beautiful, I didn't even notice the distance. I wish the pictures I took did it justice. I've never really understood how it would feel to have your breath taken away until today.

In about an hour, I'm leaving with the volunteers to go to Larry's house for a sweat. I've already drank an entire bottle of water to prepare. I've been known to dehydrate pretty easily, so we'll see how that goes.

Here are some pictures from my drive.

One week gone already

Well I've officially been in Eagle Butte for a full week. It doesn't seem like it. The time seems to go really quickly even when I'm not doing anything important. I guess that's always the case when you're doing something new and interesting. I've met some awesome people already. There is a group here interning with an organization called Youthworks. They are staying at a church not far from my office. I hung out with them Friday and Saturday nights which was great because otherwise I would have been alone in my camper reading.

The first volunteer group got here last night. Thirty people total from a private high school in Massachusetts. They were very stressed out from a day of traveling, but they seem to have settled in now. Tomorrow I hope to get to know them a little better since I'll be at a site working with them.

Here are some things I have learned about Lakota culture in the week that I've been here:

• While beadwork is a very famous craft of Native Americans, beads were only introduced to them after traders began to use them as currency. Originally they used porcupine quills. The art of quill work is on the decline unfortunately. 
• This weekend I had an "Indian taco". I've learned that the only difference between that and a regular taco is that instead of using tortilla, a piece of fried bread is used as a base. It's quite delicious.
• There are about as many dogs as there are people. I haven't met a mean one yet, but I've heard there are a few. 
• The old government run boarding schools have had a huge impact on the middle-aged population of Native Americans. Being told that what you are is bad and that you should be something you're not isn't good for morale. Who would have thought that?

Things I want to learn about:

• I have yet to hear much of the Lakota language used. I want to know how many people actually use it at all. 
• I hope to go to a sweat this week. That will be an experience that I'll definitely write about.

Lovely day

Today has been a beautiful day. It's warm and slightly humid, so I'm kind of reminded of Tennessee. I've spent the past two days in the office looking for grants. I'm realizing just how difficult that is. Non-profit organizations really have a rough time finding funding. I'm trying to help in whatever way I can, but it's hard. Once I'm back in Waverly, I'm thinking of working with the youth at church or something and trying to raise some money with a dinner to send back here. It's the least I can do when they've been so wonderful to me and do so much good for the community. I hope I can find some sources of money before I leave though.

I went out to eat with Larry and some of his family today. I met his wife Tanya and Larissa, their daughter, and her boyfriend, Russell. It seems like I might be hanging out with Larissa and Russell this weekend, so that will be fun. At least I'll have something to do other than sit around the camper.

A group of thirty high school girls comes in on Sunday, so I'm sure things will get a lot more interesting after that. For now, the days are somewhat calm and slow, but it's nice to be able to relax the first few days here.

First days

Well I'm on my third day in South Dakota. This is my first real day of working though. I'm currently in the office looking for grants or donations for us. Still a little green about where to look, but I'm sure I'll figure it out soon. The experience has been great so far. Larry, the director, came to get me on Monday from the airport where my flight was delayed by 40 minutes, and they lost my check in bag. Fortunately they flew it on the next flight. We drove the two and a half hours from Rapid City to Eagle Butte, and he told me some awesome stories. Something he said really stuck out to me. "Humans are the only things in this world that concern themselves with time." I had never really thought of that, but it's true. And are we any happier for it?

I stayed that night in the volunteer house. I went to bed at around 8:30 because I had been up for about 30 hours. The next day I went to the office and met Ted, the construction manager. He fixed up my camper that I'll be staying in for the remainder of my time here and taught me how to drive the old Ford. The truck has no power steering and is definitely older than I am, but it's endearing in a way. The water tank in the camper had burst the previous winter, so I have to go over to the volunteer house for anything involving water. I drove the old truck to the grocery store that night, and when I got back, the little girls from next door were waiting on me. They invited themselves into the camper and proceeded to ask for every bit of food I had just bought. I asked if they had had supper yet, and they said yes. They had rice, chicken, vegetables and gravy. Those kids are bottomless pits I tell you! We played card games (with rules made up by the girls as we went) for a while. I finally had to beg them to leave at dark. The last thing I want is their parents to be mad at me! After they left, I hid my food. I feel bad having to keep telling them no, but I won't have anything left if I give them everything they ask for!

The first volunteer group gets in on Sunday. It will be nice to have some more company. Maybe then I'll get into the groove of things when I start helping them out.

The reservation is a wonderful place. It reminds me a lot of Waverly. Everyone waves when you pass by, and there are lots of little shops. Everyone I've met so far has been incredibly friendly, and I haven't felt uncomfortable at all. I'm sure as time goes, I'll have more indepth things to relay, but for now, this is all I have. Until next time!

This is my camper and truck with the volunteer house behind it. Cute right?

Inaugural post

I have not yet left Tennessee, but there is a lot on my mind already. I am so excited to get to South Dakota. I honestly have no idea what to expect. I've never done anything like this before. I've never even been in this area of the country before. I'm a person that likes to know and have a plan, and this uncertainty makes me nervous. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing on a daily basis. I don't really know anybody there either. My stomach knows something is happening. I have a nervous stomach, and the butterflies have been fluttering for a few days now. The rest of me seems to be ok for now. We'll see how long that lasts as the days until I leave wind down. I only have 2 left now. I hope to post everyday or at least nearly everyday, but I'm not quite sure how often I will have internet connection. I hope everyone will enjoy hearing about my experiences, and I hope that I don't take a single second of this amazing opportunity for granted.