Santa Fe NM - Part 3

The Loretto Chapel, just off the Plaza in Santa Fe.

 

When the Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.

Legend says that the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed.  It had two complete spirals without center or side supports.  Upon completion, the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks.  It was originally built with no railings - those were added later.

 

 

 

 

The ornate stained glass in the Loretto Chapel made part of its journey to Santa Fe via wagon. Purchased in 1876 from the DuBois Studio in Paris, the glass was first sent from Paris to New Orleans by sailing ship and then by paddle boat to St. Louis, MO. where it was taken by covered wagon over the Old Santa Fe Trail to the Chapel.  These are the original stained glass windows.

 

A few days later we visited the tiny community of Chimayo (pronounced Chim I O' with the accent on the O) located about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe.  The village is well known for the chapel, the Santuario.

This is the chapel.

These rock arches represent the seven days of creation.

Very interesting artwork in the various buildings and courtyards.

Chimayo is also well known for the weavings done there.  We visited two weaving places - many beautiful rugs, table runners, coasters, purses, clothing, etc.  It was so interesting to see the weaving actually being done as we watched.  I was told it takes about two days to "load" one of these looms, getting it ready for the weaving.

The man weaving this rug told me he makes up the pattern as he does the weaving.  I can't even imagine doing that.

We spent part of a day in a historic coal mining town and ghost town named Madrid (with the accent on the Mad).  It used to be a deserted town, but has been taken over and rejuvenated by hippies and has shops, restaurants, a spa and museum.  The locals in Santa Fe call it Hippieville. 

We learned the town has no sewer system, so every store has porta-potties.  Also, the water there is icky so it has to be filtered before being used in homes and restaurants.  Can't say any of us wanted to move right in!

The buildings are very old and have been repurposed as shops, restaurants, etc.

This plaque is on the building above, just to the left of the stairs. 

Resident birds sitting on their nest in a corner above a shop door.

 

The driveway in front of a glass studio is "paved" with glass pieces. It reminded me of the sidewalk at Shipwreck Beads in Washington.

An interesting sculpture using old metal parts outside a store.  How welcoming is that?

Our final stop in Santa Fe - two new "shoes" (tires) for the trailer at Garcia Tires.  Very nice and accommodating folks. We couldn't get up to their shop, so they did the work in the street.  It was a dead end street, so to turn around, we had to ask two big trucks to move, back up, pull into a McDonald's driveway, back up into the street then go forward!!!  All us RVers know just what that is like.

Santa Fe NM - Part 2 - International Folk Art Market

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is celebrating its 10th year.  This year, there were over 50 countries represented in more than 150 booths.  Many of the artists are from very poor countries, and it is difficult to obtain passports and visas for them since they do not represent the average type of traveler.  Visas are not granted if it is felt they are a "return risk." Many artists are sponsored by organizations or individuals who help with their expenses and other challenges that occur.  16,000 - 20,000 people attend the market each year.

The posters behind the booths where you pay state:

It’s not a market.  It’s a miracle.

 

90% of sales go home with the artists and their organizations.  These sales often represent 10x what they might earn in one year in their country, improving lives and sustaining traditions.

The average income for the artists is $17,000 for the three-day market.  Not only does this income help their individual families but many artists help their communities as well. 

The market is held on "Museum Hill" and there is no parking in that area during the market.  They have an amazingly efficient shuttle bus service from remote areas and an army of cheerful, helpful volunteers.  We arrived a little before the opening time and this is the line.  Once it opened, we reached the entrance in just a few minutes.  They clearly have done this before and it is so organized.

The quality and the variety of items were amazing.  I took pictures of a few booths just to give you the feel of the market - lots of color and very festive.

This is Lliya Kazakov from Kazakhstan.  I bought a hammered silver pendant from him.  He didn't really speak much English but was very nice and very talented.  His work is his family's only source of income.

This gentleman is chip carving.  He did beautiful work and Alan enjoyed watching him.  How he could work with all those people around is amazing.

A wire and bead flamingo.  Cathy, it was way too large for your motorhome, but I sure thought about it for you.

A beaded elephant and lion.  The women who beaded these animals are very oppressed in their village.  The money they have been able to earn has helped to gain them "status" and they are being treated somewhat better in their own village.

Santa Fe NM - Part 1

Us at the Visitors' Center.  This deer was made mostly from bark.

We started our exploration of Santa Fe with a tour in a small open-air bus.  Frank, our driver, was very knowledgeable and gave us a constant stream of information about what we were seeing.

On the bus - Betti and Ken Hendrickson behind Alan.

Right where we got on the bus, was the Spitz clock.  The Spitz Jewelry Store was established in 1881, and this clock, which was bought second hand in Kansas City, stood in front of the store from 1915 until l967.  It has been donated to the citizens of Santa Fe and is getting a new coat of gold leaf.  It is hand wound and still today, someone has to wind it to make it run.

The La Fonda Hotel - pretty typical architecture around the Plaza (center of the old city).  Buildings were made of stone and mud because the only vegetation around was pinon and juniper - no real  lumber to build structures.

The Plaza.

Lots of flowers around.

Santa Fe is full of artwork everywhere you look.  It is the second largest art market in the US - NY is the largest.  There are 250 galleries representing about 4000 artisans.  Some of these were taken from the tour bus and some as we walked.

Masks in the dining room of the Thunderbird Grill, where we had a great lunch on the balcony overlooking the Plaza.

Rock, paper, scissors!  Reminded us of The Big Bang Theory.

Possibly flamingos for Cathy Benton?

No doubt about this being a flamingo!

My favorite statue - near the Plaza.

Cow heads for Sandy's sister, Karen.

 

A very fancy and, no doubt, expensive cow head.

 

Sounds like a good motto to me - and did they have wonderful cupcakes.



 

Betti and Ken Hendrickson's cat, Sweetie.  She goes for several walks a day and has quite the fun personality.