Monument Valley was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. When we arrived in the Valley we took a tour in a jeep led by a Navajo named Richard, who was particularly fond of corny jokes and John Wayne Trivia. It did really feel like we must be in Warner Bros Studios or something, it was all so unreal! Like we should turn the corner and spy a hotdog stand. A couple of interesting stops were the "Mountains Eye" and one area with a super steep hill, which we all ran down. Didnt look that high from the grouynd but once I got to the top (with a fair amount of puffing and panting) s*** is was steep lol!!! Hilarious watching Sam get a mouthful of sand (I guess she probably wasnt quite as amused at the time). But by far the best stop was a domed area in which there was a slope of rock which we could all lay our backs against, looking tyowards the sky where we could see the outline of an eagle's head. Richard started playing a Navajo flute called a Drone, and I could have fallen asleep there and then, it was so peaceful!

After the drive, we returned to the camp area, which was located right in the midst of the Valley, nothing but the mountains to see around us. We are traditional Indian Tacos, which were not tacos at all, but very more-ish fry bread. Yum!!!

We then all gathered around the campfire, and watched a "Pow Wow". It was really interesting to see the Navajo "galia" (?) dress, all the bright colours that are supposed to be representations of nature; reds, yellows, greens and blues. After a few dances, they requested for some volunteers, so we all got up to dance! After failing brilliantly to imitate my partners dancing (his name was Jamie, and he was one of the Navajo dancers) we all gathered into a big circle, and each had to do an individual dance in the centre. Everyone was buzzing!

We slept in a traditional "Hogan", which was basically a dome shape building made from wood and mud. Just before we all fell asleep, Richard came in a advised that we come outside - quickly! Rising behind one of the rocks was the biggest, brightest moon I have ever seen! I didn't even know it was possible for the moon to look that huge!

We woke up early the next morning to see the sunrise over the valley. I just feel so priveledged to have had this entire experience, watching the sun sneak over the horizon, perched on the red rocks of Monumnet Valley, listening to the sounds of the tinkling flute - it was a spiritual moment. The sun gradually illuminated the flaming buttes, and silhouetted the delicate spindles in the distance. J. has named his blanket "Nicolai", which is Navajo for rainbow.