went to Gathering of Nations (GON) this past weekend- the largest meeting of Native American and indigeneous people, according to the ABQ Journal. i got there just in time to watch the "Grand Entry of Dancers", where over 700 people in full costume jammed themselves into a giant brilliant tightly packed pulsing human spiral on the UNM basketball court to the beat of 100 drums vibrating my rib cage (i love noisy places). the stands were crammed with families settled in for the day, surrounded by coolers, blankets, and various glowing tablets (to entertain the kids). i spent a couple hours entranced by dance contests for ages tiny tot to teen (i left when the adults started competing; somehow not as fun to watch), alternating with hand drum performances. for anyone considering a trip to abq: forget the balloon fiesta- GON is something you won't get to see anywhere else. mark your calendars for april 2014.
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