La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis- Saturday

Yes, that is the official name that was given to what we now know as Santa Fe, somewhere in 1609 or 1610. It's now wonder they shortened it to Santa Fe...by the time you said all that, you would have lost your train of thought regarding anything else you might have wanted to say! I am writing this Sunday morning. We will soon be headed out the get a massage, (try not to hate me too much!) then back to the casita for lunch (leftover paella), then we are going to go explore The Flea. Yesterday, we went to Museum Hill, where we visited the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art. Unfortunately, one is not allowed to take photos inside of the museums, but I did get some shots outside. Here, a view looking toward the Sangro de Christo Mountains.

A giant kachina dancer in the museum courtyard

Part of the sculpture garden

entrance to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture; if you live out of state, you have to pay more to go in.

Our paella for two at El Farol. We went expecting to also experience the Saturday night flamenco dancing, but as we were told, we would have had to have made specific reservations for that as well as dinner; it seems, "That is a whole different dining experience" by a young hostess who was poured into a tight blue dress and 4 inch heels. Hmph. Maybe some other time. My only complaint, which was soon rectified by our young waiter, Max, was that there were plenty of EMPTY shells in the paella. After fishing out 3 mussel shells and one clam shell, I only found one mussel. Deb was experiencing a similar situation on the other side of the table, so he brought us a bowl of mussels and clams to top if off with. Not sure if that was intentional or not, but if you visit and order the paella, keep this in mind. Overall it was pretty good, even without the flamenco dancers!

Santa Fe- Friday

On a kind of spur of the moment offer (well, at least insofar as I am able to be "spur of the moment"), a coworker and friend told me she was going to Santa Fe, and would I like to come along? She has a friend who has a casita here, so I would only be out travel and food. I didn't think I could swing it, initially, but then the planets aligned and it all worked out. In spite of my friend Deb's exploding suitcase on the way to the airport and the fact that her friend has given her the wrong key to get into the house! But no worries, dear readers; as I told Deb, when I am traveling for pleasure, I just look at hiccups like that as part of the adventure. We managed to procure a new suitcase before getting to the airport and a neighbor who keeps a key to the casita so she and her husband can keep an eye on things when the owners are gone was able to help us out with getting in and out by bringing us a key. See? No big deal. Anyhow, it was late enough on Thursday once we got out and about (and I left my camera back at the casita!), that I didn't get any pictures until Friday. So here goes:

On Friday morning, we went to the Santa Fe School of Cooking, where we took a class on Contemporary Southwestern Cuisine. Here is Chef Michelle Roetzer

showing us how to make vanilla espresso flan. I had never actually had flan before, but it was amazing; think, satin sheets for you mouth...I know, weird imagery, but it's the best I can come up with right now.

Here is my friend Deb, just as our meal was served.

I should have used my flash, but our meal was Orange-Coriander grilled salmon with poblano lime jam, fresh corn-green onion tamales, Chipotle black beans, cabbage slaw with cilantro and serrano chile, and finishing with the flan. Sorry, didn't get a pic of the flan before I ate inhaled it.

This is the famous Loretto Chapel;  click the link and you can find out why they are famous.

Bear with me while I show you some different angles; I just love old architectural details...

If you clicked the link above, then you will find out more about the miraculous Loretto staircase. If you didn't and are just too lazy to scroll up, here it is again.

It's a very interesting story.

Today (as I am actually writing this on Saturday morning), we are headed back into town to get on a tour that will take us out Canyon Road. There are supposed to be a lot of artists and other things to see and do. Catch ya'll later!