Today we took a city tour. A small open trolley circled an 8-mile long web of narrow streets. Our guide was Swedish, with a French wife. (I have yet to see an American in Santa Fe. And I do not mean Native Americans, for there are many.) I find it a perfect way to start getting familiar with a new place. Let a professional tell me about the history and interesting facts.... one thing I have learned : in 1912 the city issued an ordinance that no building should exceed 3 floors in height - so they would not be taller then the main cathedral of St. Frances de Assizi. Also those buildings should preserve traditional adobe Pueblo style. A gallery owner complained that when her artist painted a mural on the gallery's wall, the city made them destroy the artwork. After the tour we took a walk around the town, taking in sounds, smells, sights... We spent some time inside the Basilica - in the La Conquistadora Chapel, that houses
the oldest image of the Virgin in the US. It arrived to Santa Fe from Spain in the end of the 17th century and is believed to have helped to regain mutinous city without violence.
We had a nice lunch in The Atomic Grill - there was nothing atomic except tattoos on the arms of our waiter/server/cashier who spoke with a heavy British accent. Luckily, he was not the cook, and the food was delicious.
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