Tag: carvings

A Wild Time in the Wild, Wild West

©2021 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

In 1876, outlaws, gamblers and gunslingers like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane arrived in Deadwood in search of gold and a wild time in the wild, wild west! Coming across a gulch full of dead trees and an abundance of gold, it is where they made their life and where they subsequently met their death.

Today, Deadwood is a place where visitors still flock to make their fortune in the casinos, but also to experience the countless activities and attractions that can be found in this small city.

Deadwood was not on my radar when I arrived in South Dakota. In fact, the only time I had ever really heard the name was as the title of an HBO American Western television series that aired from 2004-2006. When seeking ideas from others on things to do, the usual attractions came up, but so did Deadwood. Doing a quick search, I discovered many exciting things but I knew I would have to be selective as my time would be limited.

Parking at the Visitor’s Center, I ventured inside hoping to get some maps and brochures. Instead, I received some wonderful information from the lady who worked there. The most valuable being that Mount Moriah Cemetery was still open.

Having just driven there a few minutes earlier, I had found the gates closed and assumed that it, along with many other attractions, was closed for the season. Discovering that I could park and enter the side path next to the closed gates, I headed back in that direction.

This final resting place of western legends, murderers, madams and pillars of Deadwood’s early economic development is built on a hill overlooking the city. Walking along the paved paths in the late afternoon light, I quickly found the gravesites of Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. The cemetery is laid out in terraces, on multiple hillsides and is fairly easy to navigate. The most heartbreaking section, however, is toward the rear where there are many small headstones of children who died of the smallpox, scarlet fever and diphtheria epidemics from 1878 to 1880.

Also at the rear of the graveyard is a beautiful bird’s eye view of Deadwood Gulch. The American flag that flies at this point is never lowered to honor all veterans who have served our country. Another section near this area is Potter’s Field where there are many unclaimed and unknown dead. Keep an eye out amongst the trees for the numerous deer that like to hang out in the cemetery.

A visit to the cemetery should take about forty-five minutes to an hour. During the high season when the Mount Moriah Cemetery Visitor Center is open, there is a fifteen minute video and information about the cemetery history, native and introduced plant species, cemetery symbolism and death statistics within Deadwood from 1875 to 1900.

Driving back towards town, I knew that it was nearing the closing hour for many of the museums and shops. I decided to secure parking at the Visitor’s Center and take a walk through the picturesque downtown, a National Historic Landmark.

Starting at the southwest part of Main Street, I made my way northward, meandering past numerous shops, hotels, casinos, restaurants and bars all residing in well preserved Gold Rush-era architecture. My favorite discoveries were the amazing chainsaw art at Dahl’s and in front of the Four Aces Casino where I found the city’s statue of Wild Bill Hickok. After hanging out with Will Bill for a few moments, I wandered back up Main Street, enjoying the ambiance of the twilight and the awakening of the Deadwood night.

The idea of staying into the evening and finding a nice place to enjoy dinner and drinks was extremely appealing, however, with almost an hour’s drive ahead of me, I decided to head home and see what cool nightlife I could find in Rapid City’s downtown.

If you are visiting South Dakota, a trip to Deadwood should warrant more than an afternoon, since there is so much to experience. The Deadwood Brothel, The Broken Boot Gold Mine, The Days of ’76 Museum, Mount Moriah Cemetery, a little bit of gambling and much more…I was short of time, but you shouldn’t be!

My mild time could be your wild time! Make it happen!

 For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Deadwood Visitor’s Center

  • Address: 1-99 Siever St, Deadwood, SD 57732-1366
  • Hours: Summer, 0800-1900, Winter, 0800-1700. Restrooms and trolley waiting room. Free parking.
  • Admission: free

Mt. Moriah Cemetery

Wild Bill Hickok Memorial Statue

  • Address: 531 Lower Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732
  • Hours: 24 hours, daily
  • Admission: free

Dahls Chainsaw Art

  • Address: 596 Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732

Adding to the Collections

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Santa Clauses, ornaments, nativity sets, tribal masks….

I collect a lot of things.

And yes, I love my souvenirs.  They don’t necessarily have to be expensive.  I just love looking around my home at the things I have collected from my travels and remembering the good times and also, sometimes the bad.

So, when I am traveling and someone tells me that there is a nice market nearby…I am there!

The Masai Market in Arusha was a short walk away from our hotel and seemed like a great way to spend the afternoon.  Since we were returning to the hotel at the end of our safari, we could purchase our mementos and gifts and leave them checked at the hotel in one of the spare bags that we had brought.

The market was found to be full of the kinds of items you would expect to find in Africa…masks, wood carvings, paintings, fabrics.  Though I have spent considerable time in other markets in Senegal, Ghana and South Africa, my husband had not.  A quick warning about letting me do the negotiations was in order.  I didn’t have to worry about him too much, however, I had all the money!

Needless to say, shopping in an African market can be a daunting task as there are so many people continually asking you to come into their shop.  “To look is free” they tell you, but once you’ve stepped inside, it’s quite hard to leave and get back on task.

Everything I needed was found in the Maasai Market…a mask for my collection, an elephant carving for my husband, t-shirts and a chess set for my sons, baskets for my mother and mother-in-law…but, I have to say, it was exhausting.  The shops in the front of the property were easy to peruse and the salespeople were not pushy, however, entering each alleyway, named after safari destinations in Tanzania, was like entering the land of no return.  The shops were many and the amount of merchandise immeasurable.  You could spend hours lost among the commodities!

When visiting an African market, here are some things to keep in mind.

Before heading to the market…divide your money and place it in different compartments in your wallet, purse or even your pants or jacket pockets.   Do not keep all of your money in one place.  When bargaining later, it helps to say, “this is all I have left, while pulling out a five-dollar bill from a compartment where it is apparent that there is nothing else there.  Believe me, they will watch.

Spend some time walking around the market getting a feel for what is available.  Many of the same types of items are available from many different artisans and some have perfected the item’s quality more than others.

When you see something you like, casually ask for the price, but never ask for the cost of something unless you have made up your mind that you really want to bargain for it.

Tanzanians readily accept U.S. dollars for purchases, however, ask for the price in shillings first, being prepared with the exchange rate.  Only then, ask for the cost in U.S. dollars if you plan to use dollars.  If you have a local friend or guide, take them with you and have them negotiate on your behalf.

Be very matter of fact when you state, “oh, I only have…”  Start with half of their price.

Act shocked at the price.  You might say that it “is much too high for your budget”, but don’t insult the artisan saying that the product “is not worth that much”.

Be prepared to walk away.  Chances are that once you are walking away, they will offer you a better price or the price you asked for.  Remember, there are other vendors with similar or same products.

Speak with the artisan about the item you are purchasing.  Find out what it is made from and how it was made.  Many artisans love to talk about their work and find out what you plan to do with it.  Once, in a woodworking village in Ghana, I was invited into many masks shops, offered tea and encouraged to watch the mask carvers progress with their works.  These masks that I purchased mean more to me, knowing that in some cases, these men had learned their trade from family members, sometimes at the early age of six.

If you are approached by someone other than a vendor in the market, engaging you in small talk and then asking you what you are looking for, don’t fall for it. They may seem friendly and “willing to show you around”, however, be wary. They may be seeking a commission from the artisan or expecting a tip from you or worse, trying to con you.  Be firm and insist that you are fine on your own.

Finally, enjoy yourself, try to enjoy the process and don’t beat yourself up too hard if you don’t get your price.  Sometimes you have to pay a bit more if there is something your really love!

For more pictures check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.com.

 

Maasai Market

  • Address:  School Road, Arusha, Tanzania.  Located about a quarter mile from The Arusha Hotel.
  • Hours:  No posted hours, but operates approximately from 0900 until 1800, daily.