So, yes, I'm spending the month of February in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the temperatures are decent, the skies generally clear, and the air fresh. But as much as my part of the country--New England--is experiencing a heavy winter, the folks here speak of having had no winter at all. Barely any precipitation. Practically no snow, no skiing. A reduced tourist population.
But otherwise, much seems as usual. Several stores are gone. With new ones (mostly) taking their place. Cashmere shawls are in the three figures. A gallery featuring silver jewelry is closing. A Danish string quartet is performing a concert featuring Haydn, Mozart, and Brahms. A favorite local author, Natalie Goldberg, is doing a reading. Chile powder is being sold at the farmers' market in hot, medium, and mild strengths. Local Native American artisans still sit out under the portal at the 17th century Palace of the Governors just off the Plaza and sell their pottery, turquoise, and silver as they have for decades. Restaurants feature plates of enchiladas, sopapillas, posole, tacos, with a choice of green or red chile. Plus margaritas, my favorite being on-the-rocks with salt around the rim.
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| A sign near the Plaza in the center of town |
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| A food cart on the Plaza |
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| The Sanctuario de Guadalupe with the oldest extant shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in the United States |
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| Morning shadow on pueblo-style house |
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| Persian lunch at a Canyon Road restaurant featuring grilled chicken marinated in lemon juice and herbs |
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| Guan Yin, Goddess of Compassion, outside the entrance to Project Tibet on Canyon Road |
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| Project Tibet is through the yellow doorway. In the foreground is Wiford Gallery and a small part of its extensive wind sculpture garden. |
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| Chile powder choices at the Saturday farmers' market |
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| Looking across town ... |
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| ... then toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the opposite direction |
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| Window display in a shop on the Plaza |
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