Christmas in Santa Fe

the plan to meet up with Celia in Santa Fe proved an excellent one!
While there I didn't have a means to load photos to my iPad so didn't blog the progress and this far off it seems less urgent. But see seemeinny.blogspot.com for progress reports!
I  will list the highlights.

1. Celia's company on a relaxed holiday (not racing from one place to the next)

Overlooking the Rio Grande

Celia in the model at the Museum of New mexico

2. The hotel.
Inn of the Governors I stayed overnight here in 1974 for a huge sum of $20 per night) and it is not how I remember (I remember nothing really) but it was charming friendly, comfortable, and a short walk form the central Plaza.

The Front Door

Our Room

Our Christmas arrangement

3. The weather.

Expecting to be cold I packed many layers .I was trying to pack in Melbourne when it was 40 degrees, so hard to imagine being really cold. But while needing gloves scarf coat and hat it was 5-6 degrees every day and bright blues skies and sunshine, and no wind and.........SNOW!!!

4.The Food.
While I am a terrible chilli eater (mild is even hot to me) i was surprised how delicious was the food . Santa Fe is a food capital of USA and Celia gave me 2 presents ( and more)  A walking tour of Santa Fe restaurants and a Tapas demonstration class. Both fantastic!!

The Santa Fe School of Cooking

 We visited 6 restaurants going into the kitchens and having a small dish and a glass of wine at each. We went back to some of them again over the week, and had a great dining experience all week.

In the Kitchen of La Fonda

The Taps dishes

5. The Farolito walk 
This was along Canyon Road and was a magical experience  and the bags with a tea light lined the road. In some areas they are called Luminarias

6. Xmas dinner at Geronimo

7. New Years Eve Light up a Life
 we joined the Light Up a life event at the Plaza on New Year's Eve This is sponsored by the local Hospice for the last 7 years People buy a Farolito and with a name on it ring the Plaza with the names of family or friends they have lost.we bought a light for Tony and Maddy and placed it on the path. The following short service and songs was very moving a a fitting end to the year.

8. Museums esp the Native Craft and folk art
We did a long walk up and back to Museum Hill and enjoyed the 4 museums there 

9. Taos Pueblo

10. Indian silversmiths and potters

We browsed and shopped here daily