feet [taos, nm]

after christmas we took a mini roadtrip further up into the mountains to taos for a few days. here's what i found out about taos pueblo!

the taos pueblo is OLD--they claim to be the longest inhabited community in the U.S.--UNESCO has named the pueblo as a 'living' heritage site. (i think sky city also claims to be the longest inhabited pueblo...but we'll let them sort that out between themselves.) the newest building is a rebuilt church that's over a hundred and fifty years old. there's still no electricity or running water allowed within the pueblo walls (propane in the church is the only modern-ish feature anywhere), and non-tribal members are only allowed in during certain times. tribal land and water rights in the area have a long and interesting history... (pueblos have inhabited this specific pueblo since before any european exploration of n. america (?!?!)--but tribal water rights were given to the pueblo by the US government just barely during the current administration).

there's a great view of Wheeler peak from the plaza. a small creek runs through the center of the pueblo. this picture is of one of the larger complexes. the shadows on the left side are from a group of wooden drying racks (they used to dry meat and vegetables on them, but now they serve as more of just a shade patio). all the standard doorways are additions from spanish influence. the original entrances to the buildings were through holes in the ceiling, for protection. protection from roaming outside tribes...like those shifty comanches below?

some of the lower buildings are open as jewelry/art shops run by tribal members. here are the fantastic earrings i got...

and the jewelry artist...

also, one dude had this picture of einstein up in his shop, who is apparently a hopi.