Exploring Santa Fe

Saturday morning we rolled out of bed ready for a full day of exploring Santa Fe.  Our first stop was the farmers' market for breakfast.  Alex really enjoyed the walk to the market through the neighborhoods of adobe homes and high desert gardens that were in bloom.  On many of our trips Alex is happiest just wandering through neighborhoods, looking at homes and gardens, wondering about the people who live there and what their lives are like-- she probably inherited this from her mother.  Once at the market we checked out the produce and other wares before settling on breakfast.  We like to try a little of everything and this breakfast was a perfect example-- breakfast burrito, egg roll,  and a blue corn lavender donut.  As unique as breakfast may have been the conversation was even more out of the blue.  We were sitting at a picnic table and generally Arthur and Alex are more of a mind your own business, we don't chit-chat with everyone couple.  However, somehow we started talking to the gentleman seated next to us at the table and he found out we were from Kansas.  As it turns out he is an environmental lawyer and has represented the State of Kansas several times at the Supreme Court over water rights.  It was fascinating to hear more especially about the local water rights battles throughout the West and around Santa Fe.

After breakfast we headed back down to the Plaza area to check out the churches-- one of Arthur's favorite site seeing attractions.  The first church which is also recognized as the oldest church in America was the Mission de San Miguel.  (What facts can Arthur remember).  Then just down the block we toured the Loretto Chapel.  This chapel's claim to fame is a miraculous spiral staircase. (Arthur - more details).  The last church was the large basilica on the Plaza but as it turns out we were unable to go inside since they were ordaining priests so we settled for perusing the gardens.
From churches we transitioned to art galleries along Canyon Road.  We were just window shopping and tried to decided if we would put any of the art work in our home.  I actually was leaning more towards garden statuary. We did enjoy a brief stop at the Quaker mediation garden to relax in the shade for a little bit.

We made our way back to the Airbnb for a nap, or siesta since it was Santa Fe after all.  Our afternoon activity was a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art.  We weren't really sure what to expect with "folk art".  It turns out that folk art is art the is for daily use-- the art on dishes, rugs, toys, items for holidays or ceremonies, etc.  A large portion of the museum was one man's collection that he acquired all over the globe.  There were over 10,000 pieces on display and it was said to only be a portion of his collection.  While grateful for someone to share so generously with the public so we could enjoy such a cultural experience, I had to wonder where do you keep a museum full of stuff before it was in a museum? ( more thoughts from Arthur)

Dinner that evening was at La Choza-- also highly recommended by our Airbnb host and since we were there early we got a table on a Saturday night.  This is the perk of vacationing on the schedule of senior citizens-- up at the crack of dawn, brief nap midday, dinner at 5pm, and back in for the evening by seven.  Our dinner was excellent.  We were also thankful for a waitress who recognized our inability to handle the heat of New Mexico salsa and steered us clear from getting sauce on our enchiladas but off to the side-- just in case.  The meal was finished with enjoying some sopaipillas.  Arthur had to be instructed on the correct way to eat this delight but sopaipillas aren't just for show.  The oil they are fried in is supposed to absorb some of the burn from the chiles and the honey adds just a little sweet and a protective layer to coat the tongue.  Got to love desserts with a purpose.