Mallory working on a swan.
Lena and Arnita working on the other swan.
Making frybread. It's interesting that nearly every indigenous culture in the United States has a preferred recipe for making frybread.
The finished product. Absolutely delicious with just the tiniest hint of delicious fried sweetness. I've never seen them done this way before, though...like huge rings...I loved it and will be replicating this at home now.
After a hard afternoon of work...steaming!
The steam houses are small building, almost like sheds. The Gilila's steam had a small open chamber and then the steam room itself, elevated a bit and closed off with a small door blocked with towels. Four people easily fit sitting down (you can't stand up), so I think six or seven could fit if they didn't mind being close.
River water is poured overtop of the rocks on the heated stove and an incredibly hot steam results. Over several nights of steaming, I think the highest temperature we reached was around 150 F. (We all had to take several breaks.)
Cold water (sometimes warm, from the hot water resovoir in the stove) is poured into the individual buckets. You can cover any burning skin or your nostrils/mouth with a cool, damp cloth if necessary.
The best part of the steaming, aside from the incredible feeling of your pores being opened and feeling completely enveloped in heat, are the conversations. Arnita thinks that this is something intrinsic to the situation -- being open, honest and having nothing to hide. It's good to be able to talk like that from the beginning with new friends...I think sometimes people get too caught up in projecting an image or being perceived in a certain way (knowledgable/cool/professional/something)...it feels great to just talk.
When you've steamed to your hearts content, you bring out your soap and shampoo then go through your normal showering routine. Sitting in the cool air afterwards, talking and looking out over the tundra, the feeling is amazing.
Midnight over the tundra...a view from the door of the Gilila's steam house...
No comments:
Post a Comment