The Concrete and the Abstract

Hey everybody! So Daniel, Antoinette, and me (Elizabeth) made the thing to hold the play structure support in place while pouring the cement. It only took 2 hrs to make the first one and then Lorenzo changed the measurements and we had to tear the whole thing apart and make it over again. But we got it done and it is all good.
Rebecca, Lorenz, and Sarah repaired some parts of the play structure, which took way longer than it probably should have because the wood kept splitting and we would have to start over. We poured cement, and I (becca) got to smooth it over with a shovel. When it dried a bit, we wrote "With Love From Winthrop 2006" and put our handprints in it. Afterwards, people fought over the two showers.
After that, we had a burrito bar dinner and played psychiatrist and mafia (and I (emma) kept dying by popular demand!!). Today we're going to take a cultural tour and do some clean up(and laundry)! we'll keep you posted!
Love,
Emma, Elizabeth, and Rebecca

So far, this work camp has been great. Yesterday we finally got the concrete down for the base of the play structure. We've been working super hard but it has been fun. Also, two people from the church came and talked to us these past few days. Its so interesting to hear the stories of these people. I was looking at this map of lands the Indian tribes inhabited from the 14oo's to the 1900's and found myself becoming very upset. Before the arrival of Columbus, all of what is now the U.S was Indian land. The population of Natvie people at that time was close to 5 million. Up untill 1940, there was a dramatic drop in population. In the 1800's there were a just a little over 1 million navtives still living on THEIR land. By the 1900's over 90 million acres were abstracted from Indian lands. Learning this almost brought me to tears. Althought I know it wasn't my fault or anyone living now-a-days, I cant help but feel gulity and angry at myself. However, learning about their culture, even though it is very different from our own, has been awesome. The land up here is beautiful along with the weather. The only thing i wish i got was more sleep. I've been waking up every morning at 6 or 6 30 (wake up is at 7 30) which will come to a surprise for my parents. Hopeful more exciting adventures are still to come, see you all on sunday!!
Katie