Train Ride,Pow-Wow,Renaissance Village in Ely NV

The day was divided into three parts:

Old diesel train ride from Ely along the White Pine Creek ,with great views and a ghost town on the way.

 

We passed tunnels and next to a Ghost Town

We wanted to have the old steamer pull the train ,but they use it only at the weekends and we could not make it then, it still was a great ride with this diesel pusher .

At noon the Shoshoni Indian Tribe in Ely were supposed to perform a dance at their Fandango (Gathering)  , we were there on time but learned immediately that “NOON” in Shoshoni language means between 12 and 1PM and every one takes it easy…at noon the drums were pulled from a van and some dancers were getting their outfit ready,but this is the pace and we went along with it.

It was a small gathering but nice to see how the tradition is passed from one generation to the next one.

In the evening the Renaissance Village in Ely opened the gates to the old houses left from the mining days,the held a silence auction,opened houses and artists exhibitions, there were two options to chose from :15$ per person where you get a wine glass at the entrance and can drink wine , beer and visit the the village or 25$ including a spaghetti dinner, we did not take the dinner as we had something to eat at the gathering.

What a great way to end our 6 days in Ely NV.

Wikwemikong 53RD annual cultural fest

A great meeting of the First Nation People was held in Wikwemikong Thunderbird Park Manitoulin Island Ontario and although we attended the Sudbury Pow Wow just a week before we decided not to miss this one because it was a huge gathering  from Canada and the US.

                                                       

The Pow Wow circle was formed by colorful dancers from all ages,it was so nice to see the respect to the elders and the tradition handed from one generation to the other.

The music , the dances are very catchy and it is difficult to stay sited ,so Shula joined the  circle and was swept away by this almost hypnotic atmosphere.

The strong unique music is played by drummers sitting in circle using the drums and their voices, some times hitting very high notes ,they reach these high notes by pressing their vocals with their fingers.

                               

We had a chance to be photographed   with one of the Chiefs that was happy to welcome us to this big event.

                                                    

It sure was a fantastic fascinating authentic fest-we enjoyed it very much.

Pow Wow–White Fish Lake Ontario+Onaping Falls

The annual Pow Wow took place in the native territory in the beautiful surrounding of a lake.

It was not our first time to experience this colorful,traditional ,dancing event but we really enjoyed it very much.

The dancers from all ages including small kids got into the mood and it was difficult to stay sited and not join the dancing circle.

There was pride in the dance and respect to the elders which I wish was more in our society.

After 3 hours and a Navaho Taco we drove together with Susan & Harry to Onaping for a short 2Mile hike to see the beautiful Onaping Falls,we got luck with the weather and almost did not get wet.

 

 

                                                                                      

We ended  this another perfect day in a  Thai restaurant and some Irish cream with ice cream at Susan’s and Harry’s house-can’t ask for a better company and day like this one.