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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 13:23:23 GMT -1
Yosh! The Neko returns from his US trip, and brings oodles of pics! I'll spare you guys the majority of them, though, and focus solely on the ones of any interest. First off, I have a pic of Shini not in cosplay! (If you guys knew her, you'd realise this is a Big Thing - this is probably one of four on the whole internet)  Beyond her, Mescalero (the Native Indian reservation I stayed on) is utterly gorgeous. While it's surrounded by desert and some pretty damn impressive mountains...  ...the reservation itself is in the mountains, full of lush greenery and gorgeous views, even in the middle of winter:    Can you blame the natives for settling there? This is the hotel we stayed at, which is right in the middle of all that - those pictures were taken from our room's balcony:  The mountain in the distance in the first pic is called White Mountain, which is a sacred mountain to them. In summer, when the snow melts, you can see a face in the mountain - can anyone else make it out?   That's an entirely naturally-occuring phenomenon, and some say it's the face of an ancient Apache chief who watches over the tribe to this day. On another side of the mountain, the melting snow reveals what looks like a teepee, and there's another symbol relevant to them on another side too (though I can't remember what they said it was). You can actually go skiing and snowboarding on that mountain, which Shini and I did. No pics of that, though there are a couple of shots from the mountain top of the surrounding scenery - that mountain is 12,003ft high, apparently!   It must also be said that the Native Indians, based on those I've met, are an amazing bunch of people - they don't feel even remotely awkward or embarrassed about their culture, despite it being so different to 'normal' stuff, and they have absolutely no problem with answering questions about themselves and even invite outsiders to join in with their festivities and rituals. Their reaction to their stereotype (as seen in films etc) is generally one of amusement, and the sense of community in the place is just unbelievable - it really does seem to be the case that quite literally everyone knows everyone else. Also, I've never met any people quite as generous as they are. Her family really spoiled me!    The ceremonial beads in the middle picture were hand-made by one of Shini's aunts, and the purse, hair clip, watch strap and earrings in the third pic were also hand-made. I didn't have to pay a penny for anything in any of those pics (they were all but forced upon me), yet the beads alone would be gone in an instant if they were offered for $300. Even $500 wouldn't be considered an unreasonable price! (I suspect, mind, that the generosity may have been linked to me making a good impression too - apparently, Shini's ex only got a keyring! ;D) I've been told I'm welcome back any time I like, and I fully intend to go back again next year - hopefully in summer, when I can get some shots of their festivals and so forth. In the meantime, I had an utterly awesome time out there, and Shini's due out here in August and/or September  (And yes, Shinny, the Shiny is now safely away from Shini and back with its rightful owner ) |
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 13:30:37 GMT -1
Did she bow to your Totem Pole? ;D
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 13:38:56 GMT -1
If I'd been asked to bet on who'd make that reference first, I'd have said it'd be you, Chops  ;D To answer your question, yes, I was quite thoroughly deflowered, though I'm not going into any further detail than that ;D |
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Post by T C on Feb 17, 2008 13:41:35 GMT -1
good pictures Neko.... no wonder the indians settled there if there was a hotel ! ;D
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 13:41:41 GMT -1
I didn't expect you to mate.  As for the native Americans settling in such a lovely place,did they have any choice in the matter after the govt of the 19C stuck them out of the way. Along with the Abos of Aussie it is the saddest and biggest displacement of native peoples in recent history. |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 13:48:44 GMT -1
I didn't expect you to mate. As for the native Americans settling in such a lovely place,did they have any choice in the matter after the govt of the 19C stuck them out of the way. Along with the Abos of Aussie it is the saddest and biggest displacement of native peoples in recent history. Agreed; us lot invading was pretty shitty, but the independent government afterwards was even worse. They don't hold any grudges or anything over it though, they've just accepted it happened and are more interested in worrying about what's going on now instead, which I thought was pretty fucking good of 'em. Takes a strong race of people to basically overlook military and political genocide and just smile and get along with everyone! (Certain other groups of vocal minorities could take note!) (Incidentally, they're still having to fight it off even now - Bush tried to pass a bill a few years back to forcefully integrate the Native people and disband their reservations  ) As best I'm aware, the Mescalero tribe had settled there before that anyway, though - they spent an awful lot of time kicking the Mexicans' arses whenever they invaded! |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 13:49:14 GMT -1
good pictures Neko.... no wonder the indians settled there if there was a hotel ! ;D A hotel with very good prices by American standards too! ;D |
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 13:52:11 GMT -1
I didn't expect you to mate. As for the native Americans settling in such a lovely place,did they have any choice in the matter after the govt of the 19C stuck them out of the way. Along with the Abos of Aussie it is the saddest and biggest displacement of native peoples in recent history. Agreed; us lot invading was pretty shitty, but the independent government afterwards was even worse. They don't hold any grudges or anything over it though, they've just accepted it happened and are more interested in worrying about what's going on now instead, which I thought was pretty fucking good of 'em. Takes a strong race of people to basically overlook military and political genocide and just smile and get along with everyone! (Certain other groups of vocal minorities could take note!) As best I'm aware, the Mescalero tribe had settled there before that anyway, though - they spent an awful lot of time kicking the Mexicans' arses whenever they invaded! Not just us lot tho' mate,loads of Europeans went west in the gold and land rushes of the 1800's. Look at the Irish,we fuck them good and proper with the Potato Famine and they still don't hate us like they should. And we fucked the north of Ireland up,along with the Dutch. |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 14:01:30 GMT -1
Agreed; us lot invading was pretty shitty, but the independent government afterwards was even worse. They don't hold any grudges or anything over it though, they've just accepted it happened and are more interested in worrying about what's going on now instead, which I thought was pretty fucking good of 'em. Takes a strong race of people to basically overlook military and political genocide and just smile and get along with everyone! (Certain other groups of vocal minorities could take note!) As best I'm aware, the Mescalero tribe had settled there before that anyway, though - they spent an awful lot of time kicking the Mexicans' arses whenever they invaded! Not just us lot tho' mate,loads of Europeans went west in the gold and land rushes of the 1800's. Look at the Irish,we fuck them good and proper with the Potato Famine and they still don't hate us like they should. And we fucked the north of Ireland up,along with the Dutch. Yeah, 'us' was moreso a reference to Europe than just our country - should've said that more clearly! Ireland does have some vocal minorities still, though certainly not on any notable scale (as compared to, say, the Scots). I think there's just some people that're more content to bitch and complain and milk a situation for all it's worth (China, Korea, Zimbabwe's leaders, some countries who suffered during the slave trade). Compare it to the likes of the Indians, Aborigines, Jews etc; I have a lot more respect for them. Still, this thread's starting to get all political now, which ain't what I'm after. I'm still too chilled out from that holiday! ;D |
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 14:04:02 GMT -1
Not just us lot tho' mate,loads of Europeans went west in the gold and land rushes of the 1800's. Look at the Irish,we fuck them good and proper with the Potato Famine and they still don't hate us like they should. And we fucked the north of Ireland up,along with the Dutch. Yeah, 'us' was moreso a reference to Europe than just our country - should've said that more clearly! Ireland does have some vocal minorities still, though certainly not on any notable scale (as compared to, say, the Scots). I think there's just some people that're more content to bitch and complain and milk a situation for all it's worth (China, Korea, Zimbabwe's leaders, some countries who suffered during the slave trade). Compare it to the likes of the Indians, Aborigines, Jews etc; I have a lot more respect for them. Still, this thread's starting to get all political now, which ain't what I'm after. I'm still too chilled out from that holiday! ;D Sorry Neko,just that i feel strongly about the Native Americans and the Australian Aborigines. |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 14:07:01 GMT -1
Yeah, 'us' was moreso a reference to Europe than just our country - should've said that more clearly! Ireland does have some vocal minorities still, though certainly not on any notable scale (as compared to, say, the Scots). I think there's just some people that're more content to bitch and complain and milk a situation for all it's worth (China, Korea, Zimbabwe's leaders, some countries who suffered during the slave trade). Compare it to the likes of the Indians, Aborigines, Jews etc; I have a lot more respect for them. Still, this thread's starting to get all political now, which ain't what I'm after. I'm still too chilled out from that holiday! ;D Sorry Neko,just that i feel strongly about the Native Americans and the Australian Aborigines. Oh yeah, I fully understand - having been there and seen for myself how cool they are about it, though, has kinda tamed my feelings on the subject somewhat. They wanna move on and build for themselves again, and live peacefully alongside The White Man, and I'm happier to take that approach alongside them, y'know? |
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 14:18:22 GMT -1
Sorry Neko,just that i feel strongly about the Native Americans and the Australian Aborigines. Oh yeah, I fully understand - having been there and seen for myself how cool they are about it, though, has kinda tamed my feelings on the subject somewhat. They wanna move on and build for themselves again, and live peacefully alongside The White Man, and I'm happier to take that approach alongside them, y'know? From what you say Shini wants live peacefully alongside you. |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 14:20:26 GMT -1
Oh yeah, I fully understand - having been there and seen for myself how cool they are about it, though, has kinda tamed my feelings on the subject somewhat. They wanna move on and build for themselves again, and live peacefully alongside The White Man, and I'm happier to take that approach alongside them, y'know? From what you say Shini wants live peacefully alongside you. Oh, we're anything but peaceful ;D |
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Feb 17, 2008 14:21:29 GMT -1
From what you say Shini wants live peacefully alongside you. Oh, we're anything but peaceful ;D I didn't want to make such a reference. |
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Post by CmonYouSpurs on Feb 17, 2008 15:07:14 GMT -1
great pics Neko, looks lovely, bet you didnt want to come back
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Post by PureOldGold on Feb 17, 2008 15:09:48 GMT -1
Great pics Neko, that hairstyle makes you look evil  |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 15:11:23 GMT -1
great pics Neko, looks lovely, bet you didnt want to come back Tell you something; I was out there a week, and it felt like I'd been there for months. It's probably the only holiday I've ever been on where I genuinely didn't look forward to anything about coming home. Normally, I at least look forward to having my own bed again, seeing my dog or whatever, but this time I just truly did not want to leave. It really felt like home, y'know? Those pictures really don't do the place justice though; I lost track of the amount of times my breath caught in my throat whenever I saw something or another there! |
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Post by Alex on Feb 17, 2008 15:13:29 GMT -1
Looks amazing Neko! |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 17, 2008 15:16:17 GMT -1
Great pics Neko, that hairstyle makes you look evil You wanna see what my Book of World Domination does Glad you like the pics anyways ;D |
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Post by ITFC Dudette6 on Feb 17, 2008 15:17:24 GMT -1
I can see the face!  |
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;D
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