Haha...Yes!

So yesterday (Saturday) I went out on a voyage to discover things about downtown Salt Lake...like, where I could purchase a Nalgene bottle and things of that nature. I had originally planned to go to the library to use wireless internet, get a few dvds to watch (as I don't have a tv yet, the computer and dvds are my entertainment) and maybe check out a couple books. When I arrived to the library I figured since I was downtown already and had nothing but time, I would walk around and try to find a mall or a camping store at least.

Right next to the Library is a Government building and as I was walking by it I noticed that there was something going on at the building's steps. As I approached I heard a band playing and saw picket signs. I guessed that it was some sort of political rally or protest so I decided to further investigate. When I arrived I saw a man with a couple cameras and, figuring he was with one of the newspapers, asked him what was taking place. Do you know what his answer was? The rally that was taking place was a PRO-POLYGAMY RALLY!!!



My reply to this was hahaha....yes! This reply drew an awkward reaction from the journalist. To ease the tension I simply turned around and walked away, pulling out my camera so I could prove to everyone that this is a true story. I took about 25 pictures and I think some people thought I was with the press.

At the rally there were two bands. Each band was a family band - where all of the members shared a father but not a mother. Instead of saying they were from the same family, they always said they were from the same community. I didn't get any good pictures of the bands though...

Also, they had between 10 and 15 young people, ranging from ages 12 to 23 talking about what it meant for them to grow up in a polygamous household/community. All of them were very positive and a couple mentioned that they couldn't wait to start a polygamous family of their own.



All in all there were probably 200 people there, so I am guessing there were 4 families there (pause for laughter), as I saw way more young people than parental looking people. However, I don't know how young people in this realm of society are accustomed to marrying. There were also several 15 passenger vans that families were scurrying to at the conclusion of the rally. Ha!

So...before I came to Salt Lake I joked, you joked, everyone joked about me coming back with 10 wives. However, I was not aware that there were people who still practiced polygamy. Apparently there are, and apparently they are ballsy enough to have a rally outside of a governmental building even though their lifestyle is not condoned. One thing I learned at the rally is that I no longer want to be a polygamist, er, even joking that is (I never really wanted to). You wanna know why? Because I'm afraid that all of my wifes will look similar - like this guy's:



Well, yesterday was my first Saturday in Salt Lake City and I'm sure one of the more interesting ones that I will have here in my two years. I did eventually find a water bottle, check out books and dvds, and return home to watch said dvds and read said books. The best part of the day, though, was the free snow cone I was given at the polygamist rally!