On this particular afternoon we got to visit a man who owns one of the largest trading posts in Gallup. He also sends his grandkids to Rehoboth, so he was very welcoming and eager to tell us about the pawn industry in the Southwest. This was informative and crushed any of my preconceived notions about pawn shops! Trading your handmade goods or valuables is extremely common among the people of this area. Our store owner (and other pawn shops) function as a kind of bank. He'll hold your saddle or turquoise jewelry while he loans money for you to buy the plane ticket you need to see your family. Or, he'll buy your elaborately woven yucca reed basket and then try to sell it to someone else.
After describing his business, he gave us each a necklace made of dyed corn kernels. Then he invited us to look around. He had an entire warehouse full of tagged saddles that he held as collateral. Again, super interesting!
And after the trading post, it was off to patronize the business of another Rehoboth family-- SHAVED ICE!! Our team worked and hiked hard each day in this dry, hot region. These cups of sweetly flavored ice shavings were the most refreshing and delicious thing we ate all week. We returned to give this family our business the next day too! :)
The afternoon stops on this day both taught and treated us. Before we returned to the dorm to make dinner, we stopped for a quick group picture at the entrance to the school.
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