Day Three

Day 3: Santa Fe, NM

Fred's house is a short, straight walk to the downtown area of Santa Fe. We walked into the plaza around 9, just as shops were opening. Our eyes widened and jaws dropped at the architecture surrounding us. Every building in this area is traditional pueblo style adobe, either newly constructed, or historically so.

It being a Wednesday morning, it was very quiet... Except for the Coldplay and Cranberries covers being played by two street performers on a bass and violin.

We stepped into one of the recommended restaurants, Tia Sophia, and we're greeted by a gregarious character that proceeded to wait on us and give us tips for our Santa Fe day. We became such good friends we received hugs before leaving.

Our first stop was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum where we sat through a docent talk with 10 other older women with equally short haircuts. We were intrigued to learn that her work has nothing to do with female sexuality - it's just flowers. (We'll be doing some research to confirm.)

The museum security guard excitedly answered questions, although none were asked.

Speaking of friendly security guards, the guard in the Santa Fe Museum of Art told us his life story along with some funny anecdotes about what it's like being a short man of 45 who looked like he's 28.

Both of these conversations were a testament to the easy-going nature, and hospitality of Santa Fe residents. We enjoyed getting to know them.

We walked into the Cathedral, built in the 1600's. Beautiful.
We saw the oldest house in the country. Occupied in the year 1200.
At both our Santa Fe meals, we ordered local flavors green and red chillis. They delighted the taste buds of even a spice-o-phobe like Liz.

Enchiladas "Christmas" style... Both red and green chiles.

Blue corn tortilla chips with chiles.

Laura and her enchiladas drenched in chile!!

Notes for future visits:

Eat at a reasonable hour. All restaurants close between 3 and 5pm.

When a store says "Indian" it is probably owned by Indians... The kind from India, not Native Americans. Our waiter at breakfast told us about this and we noticed most of the shops we visited were run by Indians from India. The Native American Indians set up shop along a long strand of sidewalk with jewelry made with various stones from around the world, metal bracelets and bookmarks, hammered guitar picks and beaded strands.

We are now back on the road ("on the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again") and headed for Texas!

Radio Lab.
Mentos.
An impromptu stargazing. Turned the car off. In pitch black, pure silence we saw the Milky Way.

Giddy-up, lil doggies!