Travelling to the west two visits were mandatory, in Utah and Arizona – the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. We respected it.
The canyons are a powerful image of nature, but Monument Valley touched me more deeply.
I read about the not very friendly way Europeans dealt with Indian when the territory was parted. I read about the hard condition that most natives have to accept, in the reserves where they were confined. Looking at the deserts of Arizona we have to think: How do they manage to live in search a hard environment?
Arizona, Utah and tourism
Here, the answer is automatic: tourism. The entrance to the park is only possible escorted by local Indians, who also explore the restaurant and gift shop. That’s serious and useful work. But… before that? And the other millions that don’t have the memories of John Wayne to sell?
John Wayne was not there. Unfortunately, he will never be, but his memory stays in each rock and in each trail. The strange formations are no surprise for anyone but give us a feeling of being in some familiar place. And the whole makes us reflect about the power of movies, that gave a universal dimension to that park.
