Every so often, one encounters an experience that not only makes all the
hassles and challenges of RVing worth it, but becomes an experience of a
lifetime. I would like to share one with you all.

Recently my wife and I stopped in Albuquerque for a few days to shop and
sight see. Part of that was to visit some of the many Native American
Pueblos in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area. We managed to see a few
including the Jemez Pueblo. While there we stopped at the home studio  of a
local pottery artisan and found his work nice enough to purchase. As it
turns out  Benjamin Toya and his wife Geraldine are quite well known in the
pottery world. In any case while I was completing the purchase with him, my
wife started chatting with Geraldine. The usual wife things you know,
husbands, kids, etc. After which we took our purchases and left. We bought
two small items and they are unique and gorgeous, total cost approx $230.

Next day the cel phone rings and it is Geraldine. It seems that she made
friends with my wife and now she has called to invite us into their home to
share Easter with them! It is my understanding that Native Americans are
NOT in the habit of inviting non- Indians into their home. This was
certainly not because we bought a couple of items either.

Well we accepted and had a wonderful afternoon with them and their extended
family. The variety of different foods and tastes was wonderful, and the
camaraderie that developed has endeared them to us, and us to them. We
managed to learn some of their customs, met many of their family, and then
attended a pueblo dance for Easter also known as a Corn Dance to celebrate
Easter and ask God for a good crop. It was truly spectacular to see several
hundred Native Americans in full dance regalia both singing and dancing to
their drum.

The experience is truly a once in a lifetime experience. One we would never
have experienced had we not been RVers to be sure. This was one Easter that
will remain in my memory for life along with a new found friendship with
some truly remarkable people.

Mark