As I set foot in Monument Valley Navajo Nation on October 9, 2015, I was immediately amazed by the stunning burnt orange landscape. It felt like stepping into a scene from a classic Western movie. Monument Valley is famous for its towering sandstone buttes and mesas that rise dramatically from the desert floor.
Monument Valley is of great cultural significance to the Navajo people, who have lived in the region for centuries. During my visit, I learned about Navajo culture and traditions from local guides who shared stories passed down through generations.
At one stop, Big Hogan Arch, I lay on a slanted face of rock and stared up at the circular hole in the ceiling. It was at this point that I enjoyed Navajo songs and chanting, and I lay captivated as the sound bounced crisply around the cave-like walls.
I also visited ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock walls, learned about the significance of certain formations to the Navajo people, and even enjoyed a traditional Navajo meal cooked over an open fire. Unlike traditional Mexican tacos, Navajo tacos are made with a thicker flat dough called ‘frybread.’ It was a warming and delicious treat as the night fell and the temperatures dropped.
As I left Monument Valley, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience such a blazing, bright landscape. The impact of this place, both in terms of its natural beauty and its cultural significance, left a lasting impression on me. Monument Valley truly was a treasure of the American Southwest, where the spirit of the Old West lived on in every rock and canyon.
