Long before I lived in the "wild west", I had my own romantic fantasies about what it looked and "felt" like. They were all based on the idealistic depictions of the west by the German author Karl May. The books were describing the adventures of Apache Winnetou, his sister Nscho-tschi and his "blood brother" Old Shatterand. I was 9 years old and read the thick book late at nights, with a flash light under the blanket. (Maybe that is why I am nearsighted today.) This book was magical to me and followed the cowboys as they crossed the Mississippi and the Rio Grande, both such a very exotic sounding names to me. I knew nothing of these far away lands, but they seem very exciting and dreamy to a young girl. In the years that followed, I have forgotten all about this hero of my youth, until I recently stumbled upon the Winnetou movie on one of the German channels on my cable TV. Although the movie felt outdated, silly and at times naive, it did bring back sentimental memories of my childhood, when imagination had no limits and everything was possible.
6 comments:
Funny to read about Native Americans through a German author! :)
Ryan is part Apache, as one of my ex's grandparents was full-blooded. I tell her it's where her nose comes from and to be proud of it, as when she looks in the mirror, she's looking at her heritage. God help me the day she realizes mine is identical (and I'm as white as white can be!) and she hates me for passing on THAT gene! ;)
Isn't it funny, when you're young, how everything seems to magical.
I used to love watching westerns on tv.
Diane, there is absolutely nothing wrong with yours (or Ryan's) nose.;)
With that said, what an interesting heritage to have, I would have envied Ryan like crazy, when I was a little girl reading that book.:)
Donna, it is my sentiment too and I am trying very hard to see magic in all things in my life, even today.
How cool!!! I love thinking back on childhood books and all the memories that come with it. That picture makes me laugh!
Hazel, I agree, I love to re-visit my childhood memories. I am glad this post made you laugh.:)))
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