This week’s adventure led my friend Peggy and me to the enchanting state of New Mexico where stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, authentic art and rich traditions prevail.
There is more than 500 years of Hispanic history in New Mexico which is enough to satisfy my ‘Jane In Spain’ passion for the Spanish culture. It is evident in the cuisine, the missions, the architecture, the churches and the artwork. Combine this with the Native American grandeur which dominates the region –– 23 Indian Tribes and 19 Pueblos — that adds up to an exciting week with countless avenues for exploration.
Our hub city Santa Fe is the capital which sits in the Sangre de Christo foothills. It is the oldest capital city in the United States and it is the country’s first UNESCO-designated Creative City which means it is teeming with artists, writers and musicians. Some are renown like Georgia O’Keeffe and George RR Martin, writer of Game of Thrones and many of the lesser known ones fill the parks and streets of Santa Fe.
Join Peggy and me as we tour, explore, eat and shop our way through Santa Fe and New Mexico.
It’s a Beautiful Day in Santa Fe!
An hour or so from Albuquerque is our rental property nestled in the woods about seven miles south of Santa Fe.
This very charming two-bedroom house features exposed timber ceiling beams and wood floors.
On our first afternoon, we drove to Santa Fe, a city that was founded in 1610. That same year the first church was built and later replaced with a larger adobe church which was destroyed by the Pueblo Indian revolt in 1680. The expelled Spaniards returned and rebuilt the church in 1714. On this same site, the current Cathedral was completed and dedicated in 1887. The Cathedral was elevated to a Basilica by Pope Benedict in 2005.*
* Information taken from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi website.
Jane in Spain 