Many of our trips develop an organic, unplanned motif.  In Paris last year,  we began chasing Monet paintings across the city. In NE Canada, we pursued lobster and seafood dinners. In Amsterdam, we hunted bakeries, in Santiago Chile, we traversed the city seeking murals.

Now on day 5 in Santa Fe, a new theme is clear: Slow Down! Enter the magic!

We are stopping constantly to admire the architecture, the clouds, the trees, and of course, the art.  Not just museum art or gallery works but street tableaus, quirky signs and nature’s ephemera.

This is a naturally spiritual place with indigenous culture woven into the fabric of the city. We feel it constantly.

I am besotted by the charming gates and doors outside the  walls of so many adobe homes.  They hide their interior spaces from view but treat passerby to a touch of creativity.  It makes every walk an opportunity to stop and look and not just blindly race by.

Taking it slow is also necessary in this high, dry desert altitude. My allergies are on constant alert aided and abetted by our warm spring weather with every plant and tree in febrile bloom.

Today, we walked to The Railyard for its Saturday Farmers and Artisan’s Market. 

The Railyard is an actual stop on the Santa Fe line but its former industrial surroundings have given way to trendy galleries, shops and cafes. It’s clearly a beloved  neighborhood hub as well as an essential tourist stop . 

Afterward, we visited the New Mexico Contemporary Art Museum* nearby and were transfixed by so many deeply evocative and often symbolic paintings of local, but often internationally known, artists. We are insatiable in our Art appetite here,

I’m amazed at how much beauty and poetry and joy we’ve experienced these past days … no doubt some of it due to our (clearly needed) vacation from watching tv news! 

New Mexico’s state slogan “Land of Enchantment” is not just boosterism.We are clearly under its spell and taking it slow.

Some of my favorite gateways below:

*We bought a culture pass that made it affordable to go to so many museums!