The Navajo Nation and The Hopi Mesas

Our next stop was Hopi Land and the Hopi cultural center and art cooperative on the second mesa of the Hopi Reservation. The Navajo Nation covers most of north eastern Arizona and Hopi Land is smack in the middle of the Navajo Rez on 3 very distinct mesas. The Hopis have been living here for over 1000 years and a number of villages are considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Picture taking is discouraged on Hopi land and actually forbidden in most of the villages but there are many pictures that can be found on the web and we were able to take a few great shots.

This simple map shows the "4 corners" area of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico
Note that Hopi Land is literally in the middle of the Navajo Rez 

A traditional Navajo Hogan. Navajos used to live in Hogans but they are now used mostly for ceremonial and religious purposes 

This is on the Second Mesa  

Hopi Homes photographed from the road in Hopi Land (above and below)

Many Hopis live without running water or electricity but hey . . .you gotta have a cell!

Web Photo of Walpi: one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in North America on the 1st Mesa. Hopi people have been living here for over 1000 years with no running water 

The Hopi Art Cooperative next to the cultural center on the second mesa was in a state of decline due to the increases in the prices of silver making it a prohibitive medium for art. The center was staffed by a very funny Hopi man who made a joke out of every interaction we had.