Birthday in the Land of Enchantment

Oh, it’s good to be back in what I consider to be my second home in the States. I’ve spent nearly six career-forming years in this wonderful land, and I always look forward to coming back, this time with Gianna.

We arrived the day before my birthday, early in the morning of a rare iffy weather day in these parts. Although it never really poured, threatening clouds accompanied us everywhere. We had lunch at the iconic Frontier restaurant, in Albuquerque, across from the University of NM, and from there we walked through the campus and enjoyed its tranquil charm, as students were beginning their new semester.

At the UNM campus

The lobo (wolf) is the mascot of UNM

Subsequently, after checking out some of my old hangouts, I drove to an old friend’s house intending to surprise him. The surprise however was on me, as I learned that he had sadly passed away recently. Gianna and I enjoyed a visit with his daughter, whom I have known since she was 5 years old (she is now 48). A bittersweet moment.

After checking into our hotel and relaxing for a while, it was on to Albuquerque’s Old Town. We planned to have dinner there but opted to dine at a new (to me) eating emporium with several choices of restaurants.

Loved this mural

A statue of a Madonna peeks from inside an old tree in old-town plaza

The next day I awakened to many Facebook posts wishing me a Happy Birthday. We left the hotel early and checked out a delightful large farmer’s market that had set up in the park across the street. After that the adventure began.

Gianna buying breakfast

What a great market. Love the ristras (chili pepper hangers)

Getting a cappuccino at this cool coffee truck

Our first destination was Acoma Sky City. A most historical Pueblo town that was first established in the 11^th century, atop a mesa in a breathtaking setting. Now, only six families live there permanently, and the town can only be visited with a guided tour, which we took and enjoyed very much. But back in my 20s, when I had started in the insurance business, I had clients in the village and used to visit frequently, when no guide was necessary and the place had not made the tourist circle, though to be honest tourists are still few. Although I had entered a few of these homes, I had never realized however that there was (and still so) no running water, nor electricity.

A statue at the visitor's center

The mission church at Acoma

Our tour guide. We joined a small group of 8 people, including us

The backside of a traditional Native American oven

What an amazing view from atop this butte

We continued our journey, destination Gallup, the Indian jewelry capital of the world, a place I know quite well. To reach it we took the southern road that is more scenic, and allowed us to see El Morro National Monument, a place with sheer rock formations that has contains petroglyphs of Native Americans thousands of years old, along with signatures of the first Spanish conquerors that preceded the arrival of the Mayflower, and those of  cavalry officers during the Indian wars of the 1800s. But more than the historical value of the place, it was the setting that was most precious.

The face of El Morro is a sheer cliff

This small water pond is what kept people coming to this spot. Water is a luxury in these parts.

Cliff Swallow nests

These petroglyphs are over a thousand years old

More petroglyphs of old

The signature speaks for itself

Driving to Gallup on this road you have to go through Zuni Indian reservation

At last, we made it to Gallup, where we were welcomed by my long-time good buddy, Steve Harper. Steve is one of the most well-known people in the city. He owns a very well-established Indian jewelry manufacturing business in town, and he gave us a great tour of his plant (not my first time I should add, but it was Gianna’s). From raw ores of all types to the most tasteful finished pieces. Quite an indoctrination.

Gianna, with Steve

Protection is a must when you have millions of dollars in silver and semi-precious stones.

One of Steve's local artists shows us how to cut the stones to fit the ring enclosure

With Steve outside his shop. The mural is huge!

We had dinner at another iconic spot (sorry for the multiple use of the word iconic), the El Rancho hotel, a place that has hosted many well-known actors the likes of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Cary Grant,  and the list goes on, when this area was the setting for most westerns being filmed.

Enjoying my cigar after dinner

Listening to a heavy metal concert in an art plaza where Steve was a major contributor for its creation

It’s time to end this long post. Until tomorrow friends.