A New Turn in Santa Fe

Santa Fe was the first place we visited where we really had no connections or significant prior experience to guide us along. We booked a motel based on a recommendation in our travel guide and similarly went to restaurants and attractions based on books and hearsay from friends.

I may differ on this point with my companions, but I was not overtaken by the same sense of welcome and friendliness I had felt in most other spots along our trip. Santa Fe is a little rough around the edges and a bit too touristy and expensive in the small downtown area. People weren't mean, but rather soft-spoken, and no one went out of their way to invite us into their town.

That said, we had an excellent time. I particularly enjoyed the first place we went to eat, "Maria's", which was within walking distance from our motel. They are known for having the best margarita in Santa Fe and I certainly concur. I did not know this, but Santa Fe is a tequila town and even the house tequilas in many places are quite good.

We spent our evening at a place called the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, which is a huge barbecue restaurant with a bunch of rooms on an inside and a large outdoor seating area in the front. Monday night was karaoke night and the place took on a fun, intimate feel. Fun videos forthcoming. We then tried another place called "Corazon" where we met some friendly folks traveling across the U.S. through an overseas trip group: Doug, from Australia, Claire, from Ireland, and Claire, from London.

We spent our next day there taking in the beautiful sights downtown - adobe buildings, old churches, a plaza where locals peddle their wares.

We rolled out Wednesday morning satisfied with our stay but ready to move on. As we drove through New Mexico we finally began to see the breathtaking landscapes we had been waiting for. I am too tired to try to describe it in an articulate way (look at the pictures or maybe Binh will scribe something). Now, in a motel in Flagstaff, we await the Grand Canyon.

Pictures to come...