Santa Fe
I just got back from a weekend in New Mexico. I hadn't been to Santa Fe in awhile, and we spent a couple of days there. If art is your thing, this is your town. However, the sheer number of galleries is mind-numbing, and some of the offerings create an air of gentrification that doesn't quite mesh with the Mexican/Indian/Spanish vibe that still exudes from the town's old buildings and side walks. I walked by a jewelry store that had, of all things, a gem-encrusted clutch bag in the shape of a cat's head. Who in Santa Fe is looking to put down the big bucks for that?
Back in the day, I'm sure the town was little and dusty. Now, all the Californians, ex-hippies, half-humans, and trust funders have moved in and turned it into their own shopping paradise. You know Californians have taken over when a brand-new Trader Joe's looms on the outskirts of the old town. Santa Fe's traffic situation is pretty grim (dear GOD); the Californians must have brought that with them, too.
Santa Fe still exudes old West charm by the bucket-full, though. Its adobe architecture has an oddly calming influence, as do its many churches. And no one can say anything bad about the the food there. Tomasita's is still cooking the best New Mexican chow anywhere; hell, most restaurants there are simply astounding. New Mexico is indeed the land of enchanment, and the food is a huge part of that, I think.
There were a few places there that really touched my heart--the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum was great, as was the St. Francis Cathedral, which had a chapel that dated back to the 1600s and the Spanish influence. I also enjoyed the Loretto Chapel with its mysterious spiral staircase. While I was there, this little girl kept trying to get around me and I was trying to let her get by, but we kept ending up in the same spot. After awhile, she just reached around me and hugged my legs. This completely surprised me. She was probably three or four, and either Mexican or Indian--a very cute kid. She hugged me for a pretty long time; I was compelled to hug her back. My friend Kim said, "You two kept ending up in the same spot trying to let her by, so I guess she thought you should be together." She finally turned loose and went to her dad, since by hugging me she was able to get around me. Kids have instincts that sometimes astound me--here is this conflict situation, and the kid solves the whole problem with a hug. That was pretty cool.
The weekend was wrapped up with another friend's wedding in Carson National Forest just south of Taos. We camped out for two days and partied and ate more great food; there was a ceremony in there somewhere as well. It was a great way to end the weekend.
New Mexico is great place and I would not mind calling it home at some point in the future.
Back in the day, I'm sure the town was little and dusty. Now, all the Californians, ex-hippies, half-humans, and trust funders have moved in and turned it into their own shopping paradise. You know Californians have taken over when a brand-new Trader Joe's looms on the outskirts of the old town. Santa Fe's traffic situation is pretty grim (dear GOD); the Californians must have brought that with them, too.
Santa Fe still exudes old West charm by the bucket-full, though. Its adobe architecture has an oddly calming influence, as do its many churches. And no one can say anything bad about the the food there. Tomasita's is still cooking the best New Mexican chow anywhere; hell, most restaurants there are simply astounding. New Mexico is indeed the land of enchanment, and the food is a huge part of that, I think.
There were a few places there that really touched my heart--the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum was great, as was the St. Francis Cathedral, which had a chapel that dated back to the 1600s and the Spanish influence. I also enjoyed the Loretto Chapel with its mysterious spiral staircase. While I was there, this little girl kept trying to get around me and I was trying to let her get by, but we kept ending up in the same spot. After awhile, she just reached around me and hugged my legs. This completely surprised me. She was probably three or four, and either Mexican or Indian--a very cute kid. She hugged me for a pretty long time; I was compelled to hug her back. My friend Kim said, "You two kept ending up in the same spot trying to let her by, so I guess she thought you should be together." She finally turned loose and went to her dad, since by hugging me she was able to get around me. Kids have instincts that sometimes astound me--here is this conflict situation, and the kid solves the whole problem with a hug. That was pretty cool.
The weekend was wrapped up with another friend's wedding in Carson National Forest just south of Taos. We camped out for two days and partied and ate more great food; there was a ceremony in there somewhere as well. It was a great way to end the weekend.
New Mexico is great place and I would not mind calling it home at some point in the future.
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