The accommodation we booked in Santa Fe has been a delightful surprise. Homewood Suites (Hilton) Santa Fe on Buffalo Thunder Road has been great. Not only is breakfast included so is dinner!!. While it is a single item menu it was great. Free beer, wine or soft drink is also included - how good is that! Last night we had stuffed Green bell peppers - yum. Tonight was Mexican tortillas - shredded pork, rice and re-fried beans.
It is hot here at the moment. This is actually considered quite unusual. We spent today
exploring the central Plaza of Santa Fe and some of its surrounding streets. Full of many different types of arts and crafts. This is definitely a city focused on the arts with many artists and museums.
The oldest
house in USA, built in 1646AD is located just off the plaza as is the oldest
church building. The church was built by Tlaxcalan Indians in 1610 AD under the
direction of Franciscan Padres. It is full of old world charm. The wood work is awesome.
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| Inside the 1610 chapel of the oldest church. |
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| Original 800lb Bell from the oldest US Church building. The bell tower is being rebuilt after approximately 100 years of disuse but a smaller bell will be installed. Bell above was cast in the 1600's and has survived many years of visitors using a hammer to make it ring which has a beautiful tone. |
Santa Fe gives its
name to the Santa Fe Trail, the first trail west used by traders
travelling in to the new lands of what is now New Mexico and California. It was first used in
1821 by William Becknell who left Franklin, Missouri in search of new
opportunities in Mexico.
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| The front of the oldest House in USA |
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| The wood sections in the middle cross are reputed to have come from "The actual Cross" and donated to the church back in 345 AD. This is located in The Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi |
We then took a
drive to Museum Hill hoping there might be a lookout for an overall view of
Santa Fe.
Guess what! Museum Hill is literally that, a shrubby/ treed hill with
a large number of Museums hidden amongst the trees and no lookout!. Spoilt for choice we
decided to retreat from the heat and returned to our Motel for an early dinner and a glass of wine. It is difficult to come to terms with buying wine in a pharmacy! but we have. Interestingly one of the larger pharmacy chains - from today - no longer sell tobacco products - it will be interesting if alcohol follows.
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| Balcony decorations, Santa Fe is full of Museums, Art Galleries and specialist boutiques. |
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