I set a goal to visit 3 states this year, making memories from the plan and the lived experiences. Combining curiosity from novelty and expectation management through joyful planning, travels are right in line with my values.
Last year, my partner C and I took a road trip from CO to NM and AZ. The only spring break I’ve ever had. Both times, as soon as we left NM, I wanted to go back.
This year, C and I had 12 hours of fun to 12 hours of driving.
A couple weekends ago, C and I woke up at 5:30, gobbled up java muffins, and hit the road by 6:30. We landed in Sante Fe around 12:30, right in time for lunch.
Sante Fe, New Mexico might just be my new favorite place. We started with Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe. “Why, it’s poblanos!” was the response for my, “What peppers are in your enchiladas?” Combining Indian and Mexican flavors, it is an Ayurvedic experience. I feasted on dosaladas.
The sun unexpectedly shining, we bopped around town, stopping in a running store. Roasting red peppers wafted throughout the town. A Sunday, folks dressed more formally than in Denver. Free parking and a concentrated city made strolling easy. As someone who prefers public transit and walking to congested traffic (even in an EV), I appreciated this change of pace.
We also took note from our photojournalist friend who recommended Monroe Gallery of Photography. Inspired by the country’s upcoming 250th, the gallery currently shares different takes on life in the States. Gelatin silver prints – classics from the archives – are intermixed with modern pics. There are famous shots like raising the flag after 9/11, alongside new-to-me ones. Connecting with the curator, she’s been there for 33 years.
New Mexico truly is absorbed with art. As it continues to remake itself, it is simultaneously grounded and creative. Spanish and English languages intermix. Indigenous influence is everywhere. This trip, I also learned “pueblo” is a colonized word for town or village.
After the gallery, we saw the town square was hosting a tiny art walk. Artists ourselves, C and I talked to each one. C picked up a small painting of a red tree after connecting with the artist, a fellow Buddhist. Each person shared their truth.
Despite only having a day trip, we still checked into a hotel. They let us check in early, as we’d only be there throughout the day, and thus leaving early too. Tip: If you can afford it, a hotel (or Airbnb) is a homebase. It’s grounding. We used it for resting and planning.
Then, we moseyed our way to Martyrs Park, thanks to a huge cross beckoning attention. Every few steps, placards describe the history of the city, such as a note on the Manhattan Project. The park’s also part of Fort Marcy, where ruins overlook downtown. Not only is this the first fort in then New Mexico Territory, it is the last American fort still standing from the Mexican-American War. Truly a city of confluence, intermingling past and present.
We weren’t the only ones walking. So too were lizards of different colors. We named one TwoStep, thanks to his position next to a bit of graffiti and his quick, shuffling movements.
Toasty and prepared, we swapped jeans for coordinated black, yellow, green, and blue garb. Next up was Cowgirl BBQ, known for a vegan menu. Think tofu with fivespice. Or more fusion enchiladas. As we left, a guitarist started strumming.
One of the artists from the art walk spotted us: “You clean up nice”.
Grinning, we drove back to the hotel and walked less than 5 minutes to our last destination, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return. While Denver has its own interactive art museum, Meow Wolf started in Sante Fe. We didn’t go just for the creative arts, though. We came for performing arts. My partner and I have a seemingly infinite list of must-see artists, and DIIV was near the top. This last experience was the exact catalyst for the trip.
I knew we were in for a treat, thanks to a giant spider statue and bowling-themed signage out front. Ah, eternal return is a link to bowling – how the ball is given back. What will I give back to Sante Fe when it gives so much to me?
Combining theatrics with shoegaze, DIIV was, in a word, spectacular. Set against Meow Wolf’s interactive house-scape backdrop, the band was not shy. Transitions were excellent, with voiceovers telling us to “DIIV into a stuffed-crust pizza… and defund (you know what comes next)”. Capitalistic or tongue in cheek, one guitar still had its price tag.
C moshed. I head-banged. We walked back to the hotel, chanted, and snoozed for 90 minutes. We made our way back home, swapping drivers halfway. Only to start the workday minutes later.
And so I give this precious city gratitude. Thank you Sante Fe, for being warm, rooted, and expressive. Everything I strive to be.