Taos!

I was dreading my trip to New Mexico because it was the end of the quarter crazy-time, I had to give a paper at the conference I was attending, and I hate to leave Luke. But, the trip got off to a fun start when I met a crazier-than-me dog lady. Meet nine year old Zippy, flying from SEA to ALB:

I rented a car and saw a pretty sunset on the drive up to Taos.

I stayed at a quaint guesthouse/hotel. The highlights were the under-the-stars hot tub and the breakfast:

The next morning, I toured the Taos Pueblo:

This is one oven used to bake breads and sweets. At 9 a.m. I was as hot as the oven!

The Catholic church. I learned how Natives integrated their native religious practices and Catholicism. Mother Mary is like Mother Earth, the church is a building and all of nature.

To keep their sovereignty, there the Pueblo is not on "the grid", no running water or electricity. Natives get water from this stream:

The carport-like structure is where food is hung to dry:

Clarice made a Prayer Stick that I'll hang in my office:

Pre-Colinized homes didn't have front doors, rather they had ladders that could be pulled in for safety.

The church. Grief is different for the natives as they remember instead of mourn their dead. When the cross falls over, it is a sign that the spirit has passed from this world to the next. Family only enters the cemetery twice a year, Dios de la Muerte (Nov 1st) and on the anniversary of the loved one's death. Each of these days are celebrations to honor the loved one.

Pile of crosses that have fallen and have been collected

 To the west of Taos is the George, a 650 ft drop!

 Whimsical ice cream and coffee shops!

Nearby, there is a community of Earthship homes, built from recycled materials.

Back over the bridge:

Goods for sale, uh, isn't Jesus always free?

And why is there a large tin elephant in New Mexico?

Next, on to Santa Fe!