I had never been to New Mexico before (or, as I referred to it, NUEVO MEHEEECO!) and, let me tell you, I am a fan. We spent four days in Santa Fe. We had planned to explore Taos, but we never made it out of town because it was so beautiful. We took walks in the mountains every day with her aunt's dog.
We also explored the downtown plaza where there are lots of restaurants and shops. My favorite part, though, was the old structures and churches there. Did you know that Santa Fe is home to the oldest church in America? This mission was founded in 1610.
1610!!!!!!!!
I was also very excited to see this church, a European-style cathedral built right in the middle of all the adobe- and Pueblo-style buildings. Willa Cather wrote about this church in her book, Death Comes for the Arch Bishop, and ever since reading about it and discussing it in class, I've wanted to see it in person. It was remarkable. So out of place and so beautiful.
To give you an idea of the architecture, it's right next to the building below...look how different they are!
I couldn't get over it. We went back to the plaza before we left town and had a marvelous lunch, then took a few more pictures!
We stayed up in the mountains, slept with the windows open, played games with her family, had dinners on the portal, watched the magnificent sunsets, walked the dog, had wine as the storms rolled through in the afternoons. Basically it was all I've ever wanted from life.
We even went to the opera! But, more about that later because right now I'm busy being glared at by this one and packing up for Arkansas.
I am so not ready for school next week.
If I had known you were going to Santa Fe I would have told you about a restaurant where you can get the best breakfast burritos ever. We used to stay a night or two there when we drove from CO to AZ.
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, we stayed the night in Santa Fe. Not actually at the restaurant although that would have been fantastically convenient.
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