This week I have been shadowing a fellow YI instructor and have absolutely loved being in the field. We have a group of high-achieving highschoolers from Oakland (realize each week I'm probably going to write a bit about the students I have cause I'm a dork like that). These kids are so rockin. The first day was just about connecting with the outdoors and Yosemite and giving these kids a chance to decompress. With half of the group being seniors, they were in desperate need of this decompression time and a getaway from the stresses of school. On Monday, they had a hard time leaving behind thoughts and concerns about makeup work and what they are missing this week, but now they talk little about this and have become absorbed in the natural beauty around them. What an awesome progression. I am really happy to be a small part of it and have the priviledge to get to know these students. Today we went to the indian museum and talked with one of the park interpretors. this was no ordinary interpretor though, but a miwok woman in her 70s that has an extraordinary heritage and gift for making baskets. She weaves her basket and tells stories of her childhood and the ins and outs of basketweaving. i was truely amazed by her passion and benevolence even in the face of negativity and adversity to her culture. the kids all loved her too.
before and after the museum we looked at a small bear that had climbed to the top of the tree in the midst of yosemite village. the rangers had taped off the area and guarded it to ensure that no one would feed the bear. i admired their thought in protecting the bear, but was sad to be part of the crowd gawking at this animal. i felt like i was working at the zoo again. this bear was not something to respect or admire, but something to stare at and entertain us for a while. i don't like it when a national park turns on a zoo vibe.
tonight in el portal was the kickoff of the return of sal's taco truck. the yosemite marching band of about 8 people marched proudly into town with the truck just behind them. i waited a couple of hours to order, but enjoyed the warm fellowship of the town. i think everyone in el portal was there with a lot of folks from neighboring towns. i had some yummy tacos and also a plethora of desserts that the kids were selling in a bake sale. so my taco was accompanied with a cupcake, pumpkin pie, and two 7-layer cookie bars. yummy! there was even a band that played later on in the evening. who knew all the joys that a taco truck would bring?
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