Mesa Verde

Remember walking through the ruins of ancient Mesa Verde and you thought to yourself, I wonder what it was like back then. If you could go back in time and could walk the trail back into the village to see children only slightly dressed, scampering around, jumping, clapping, playing games with sticks and rocks, and see women, some gathered around open fires cooking, others cracking seeds with rocks or lying clothes out on rocks to dry. You imagine the men would be out at the farm or hunting, but probably hanging out in the shade somewhere because it was too hot to farm. If you could go back in time what would you say to that old topless lady who kind of sneered at you as you walked by or to those kids playing hide ’n seek just as you realize you are “it.” Well let me tell you because I was there today. There is this village that I love going to. The houses are almost all mud. The paths and courtyards are dirt. There is a slight descent to the main area of the village (really it is subdivided into lots by partial fences but these houses seem to share a court yard), so you have to sort of negotiate down a rocky face and dirt trail. When I was there today I kept thinking about Mesa Verde and that I had essentially gone back in time.  One thousand years ago or 1500 or what ever it was, couldn’t have been very different. It was quiet, warm, and peaceful. The people seemed happy and hospitable. When I’m in the village, there is always this away-from-it-all feeling, similar to camping but more real and more away. So next time you’re in Mesa Verde and wondering what was it like back then get yourself a ticket to Ghana and find Tsapiese in the Eastern Region. Greet the old woman with a simple “Good Afternoon” and the children by sneaking up on them.