Arriving in Santa Fe

Following a sleepless night for me and an unsettled one for Jim, possibly because we were past our sleep having been travellong in excess of 25 hours, we availed of an adequate continental breakfast, and became acquainted with our exchange car, a Honda Fit, Elaine having left the keys at reception the night before. We then took Interstate 25 from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It is a very  scenic route with first the Sandia mountains in view - lovely peaks with a band of conifers around their middle - and then, as we got closer to Santa Fe,  the Sangre de Cristo mountains which, in places, with the green shrubs/trees growing from orange soil, gave the appearance of designer stubble. The landscape of hillocks made us expect at any minute John Wayne on horseback to canter into sight or a band of Indians lining the hillside protecting their terrain. Jim was in his element! Nuvi brought us to Elaine's abode, an adobe style two story house, without any difficulty and we entered our new home. It was great to arrive so early in the day, around 11.30 am, as we could then get the shopping done, unpack and start planning how we would occupy our days.

The supermarket, Albertsons, a short drive away, is big and will cater for all our needs. Back home and we had just eaten lunch when the doorbell rang and our next  door neighbour, Peggy, was calling to welcome us and provide us with a map and some suggestions  as to what we should see and do during our visit. She is a member of a Bienvenidos group who man a tourist info booth in the Plaza in Santa Fe so she is ideally suited to give us advice. We took her advice  and headed to the Plaza to see around and visit the info booth. The Plaza looked much as we remember it from our last visit and the traders were under the portal of the Palace of the  Governors selling their handmade jewellery to the public. We went down one of the streets leading on to the Plaza to see if the Original Trading Post that fascinated us last time was still there and it was.

Jim took a few photos  just to get the flavour of the place.

Burros (donkeys) abounded in Santa Fe in the past and were used to haul firewood from the surrounding wooded areas. Seemingly they were patience personified. A statue near Burro Alley is a symbol of the appreciation Santa Feans have for the donkey.

Our first sight of strings of chiles (that's how chilli is spelled here) drying. It is chile harvest time and ristras (strings of chiles) are hung outside every door to protect people from evil spirits (and bland food!)

This is an example of the sculptures that can be seen outside the huge number of art galleries and shops. Santa Fe  is synonymous with art as you will see wnen Jim and I take a trip up Canyon Road.