Hold On Tight.

January 21, 2017.

                   

I know, I know, I'm way behind with blogging and I thank you for following the blog and reminding me I need to get with the program, haha.  So I'm going on a blog-a-thon for the next few days.

With all the turmoil in the world, this country and its people are adjusting to the recent political changes.  Doug, Emma and I are immigrants in this wonderful country and we're watching the struggles, anxieties and developments of the change-over of power. We're Green Card Holders, which means that even though we employ ten or more people, pay their health benefits and don't participate in illegal activities, we're not allowed the privilege to vote because we aren't U.S. citizens (we're Canadian/British citizens).  And so, we can only observe and hope for the best.

In these times of political unrest, I was unsure about attending The Women's March in the city center today, but I thought I'd check it out.  As an observer.

                     

Recently, we arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico and fell in love with the people, arts, culture, climate and the incredible history of this fabulous state capital.  Dubbed 'The City Different', Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the States.  Conde Naste Traveler reports it is voted the Second Best City To Retire in the country.  

The Women's March in Santa Fe today was both peaceful and inspirational.  Zu and I arrived at the beginning and were able to watch the entire procession, shoulder to shoulder with good, gentle people.  It was not a protest.  It was an expression of spirit and unity.  

The energy was electric and Zuma really enjoyed the people and people taking selfies with her. Zuma loves a party, she exudes positive wiggly energy and today she had the opportunity 

to soak some up big time.  

The Women's March was a happy, inspiring event:

There was even a Zuma lookalike.  

They really checked each other out.

What would Scooby Do?

We met people from all over the world, from Greenland, Kenya, England, Greece, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Holland and from all over the States.  Peaceful, kind people.  

We were all gob-smacked at the turnout and the signs people were carrying.  My personal fave sign:  "Free Melania".  I just wish I'd got a pic of it. There were approximately 7,000 participants from the city, from the local areas, from all over the world. We heard gentle singing, calm chanting, energetic ululating.  Strollers, wheelchairs, costumes to make you smile, children, dogs and even one extremely calm horse.

                   

                   

  

I was pretty impressed with Zuma's calm curiosity as she watched, mesmerized while we stood on a quiet, familiar corner of The Plaza in the center of this historic city.  This was history in the making.  

People marching called to us and invited us to join in, everyone was so welcoming, but I felt it may been too overstimulating for Zu.  We were both happy to take in all the good vibes.  From the sidelines.  It's events like these, the unexpected, unplanned things that just happen that add a whole new dimension to our journey.  It was fantastic.  We all love good energy.    

                       


Some of the things people in the crowd here (randomly) commented to me this morning (some I can't print here, haha):

"Let's make America Intelligent Again".
"I'm so embarrassed to be an American".
"America is the laughing stock of the world".
"Depends on who you talk to".
"God help America".
"We have to give him a chance."
"I give him 6 months and I give Melania 4 months".
"The majority of Americans are intelligent enough to know this is a very bad situation".  
"Pray for Peace".
"There are more than 7,000 people here today".
"We have to stand together".  

My personal fave sign:
"Free Melania".  I just wish I'd got a pic of it. 

The news is saying that Trump has pulled the country apart.  
Today, the people marched.  The people spoke.  The people pulled it all together despite the ridiculousness of this situation.  And, as you can see, the people aren't afraid to make a statement.
   

People went to a lot of effort to express themselves. 

Personally, I was impressed by the number of men who walked in The Women's March.  Real Men.  They had fun with it.  

The local culture expressed themselves:

At times, I was so moved by emotion I felt hot tears trickle down my face, then realized that people around me were pulling the tissues out of their pockets too.  In this emotionally turbulent time for a great country, the energy today was contagious and there was no anger.  No bad words.  Only hope and good karma and lots of smiles.  We're all feelin' the same thing.

                    

After we finished our walk and returned to the hotel, Zuma and I both "shared the love" on FB; we have some friends who marched today in Washington (C & A). The local Police here told me there were so many people wanting to march in Washington that not everybody got in (!) but I heard that C & A made it!   

                  

America has spoken.  Hold on Tight.  
We may have a bumpy political road ahead for a while but, as a two-time immigrant and a female, I for one feel the power of unity will rule and bring us all closer together.

                   


#women'smarchsantafe, #women'srights, #santafe, #travelingwithagreatdanedog

The Art of Santa Fe

January 20, 2017.

                          

Santa Fe is an artist's mecca.  It's like a dream for anyone with a drop of artistic blood in them.  At every turn, galleries display pottery, jewelry, blown glass, woven Native blankets, etc.
It's so inspirational it's kinduv hard to not drool.

A stroll around town provides a sumptuous feast for the eyes.



The altitude here is 7,198' above sea level. 
I'm thankful I had no trouble adjusting. 
I really didn't notice it. 
Ashville, NC is 2,133' and Hope, Maine is 469'.
So I'm just writing off my general state of dizziness 
to my general state of dizziness.

Bear with me, ya'll.

Zuma was extra sluggish for a few days but she's fine now.
Great Danes are pretty chilled out anyway, but I've found that walking with her takes a little longer nowadays.

                                      

THIS is my favorite piece.  Ever.  Anywhere.  Ever.
That's a hint, Doug.  
Let's flog everything we own and buy this beautiful sculpture:

            Santa Fe has a superb selection of bronze statues.  

Here are a few, some public, some at art galleries, all beautiful:

      

        

The architecture here is simple, yet absolutely brilliant:

Sometimes, less is more.

  

Sometimes, the best art of all is the kind you don't need to own, you can only experience for a moment in time.

The locals tell me this color blue symbolizes "protection".

We love this stretch of the road, it's our favorite place to walk ....  early in the morning, when Zuma is fresh and frisky 

and so is the air of New Mexico.

Goin' To The Chapel ....

January 19, 2017.

I just can't stop admiring the churches, chapels and cathedrals in this city.  They are true works of art and inspiration.

Sorry the pix aren't great quality, it's a challenge to shoot from the hip while holding on to an overloaded purse, a camera, a bag of groceries, and a 145 lb dog who is always distracted once I crank out the camera.  I call it Dane A.D.D.  

And, to top it all off, in her Scooby-Doo-Goofiness, she always attracts a crowd, God Bless Her.  It just takes 3 times as long and more yoga poses and scooping up of loose personal items than you can imagine to get a photo.  

And besides, I can't see worth a shit so these are probably all blurry, but it was an effort.  For ya'll Faithful Readers. 

This is The Bascillica of St. Francis of Assisi, built in 1869.

I love to stop, sit quietly in a pew, get all spiritual, soak it all in.

Loretto Chapel has a beautiful story.

Located at the end of The Old Santa Fe Trail, this is my fave church in the city.  Because it is so humble and special.

Well worth two minutes to read this:

http://www.lorettochapel.com/history.html

 Its miraculous staircase was built by a man passing through the city centuries ago; he constructed this masterpiece by himself, over a period of a few months, then poof, he left town.  Nobody knew his name.  He asked for little and he left a lot.  

This chapel is beautiful.  I've been visiting several churches here, (I'm guess I'm on a Church Bender of sorts).  

Churches always make me cry.  

At the entrance:

The positive energy and artistry is everywhere.

I lit four candles at the altar, two in memory of my parents and two in memory of Doug's parents.  Next time I visit, it will be with Doug and Emma and we will light more.  This is a special place.

January 16, 2017.

Yesterday it snowed and Her Highness was not at all happy about it.  We went for a walk drag in the wet slop in the morning, I caught up on writing and organizing, then Zu and I went for another walk but she was clearly not happy about slushy paws and wanted to go back to her morning tv routine.  Once she was settled I started off for another church.  Because, hey, that's the trip I'm on.

Then I got sidetracked and oogling (Sonia A.D.D.) down winding side streets and suddenly realized it was getting dark and shit, uh oh, I'd totally lost my way.  Being in no real rush, I was happy to explore less-touristy places.  

As dusk was closing in, I met a kind woman coming out of a cobbler's shop and asked her how to get back to The Plaza.  Oooh, she said, you have a long walk.  I cringed.  I'd stopped for heavy bags of groceries, plus I had my purse and camera weighing me down.  My arms were gradually feeling longer and longer from the baggage I was trudging along with.  Okay, I said and off I pranced. Then she called to me and offered me a ride.  I was damp from the drizzle and I really appreciated the offer.  I don't like to abandon Zu for more than a couple of hours.  She gives me The Hairy Eyeball when I return.  Like she has all this stuff she has to do.  She only ever wants to stretch out on the bed if inside.  Or outside.  Her needs are simple.

So, we drove into the downtown and chatted.  Belinda has a house just outside of town, an artist's dream retreat.  She rents her place out to people wanting to paint and enjoy the solitude.  She invited us to visit her.  

I am feeling blessed this evening.  I took my time this soft, sunny day, walking serenely, accepting that I am spiritual but not into organized religion.  That's okay.  It was lovely to spend silent moments in special places.  I muttered my prayers within the sacred walls of the chapels and cathedrals in this historic desert city.  You don't have to be religious to feel spiritual and soak up good energy and a little rain drizzle, blessing of holy water perhaps (?) and best of all, appreciate and share it with others, with total strangers.