Santa Fe originals

All over the world people know the name "Santa Fe." There is Santa Fe style furniture and clothing, in restauant menus I have seen Santa Fe chicken sandwiches. Most in America have heard of the Santa Fe trail. How many could locate Santa Fe on a map? Not many.

I consider myself priveleged to be from this unique place. I am happy my family still lives there so I can come back and visit. I've been to many places, but there really isn't any place like my hometown. I wanted to share with you some of the things that make it so special. I call these "Santa Fe originals."

Santa Fe has a rich history.  As America grew, pioneers moving west would follow the Santa Fe trail to this destination. Then they would either settle here or stop to resupply as they moved on to California. This is one of the remaining trading posts still in operation in downtown Santa Fe.

The architecture is one of the unique things about the area. Originally buildings were made from adobe brick, which is essentially elements that come from the earth. As the city continued to develop there was a decision made to keep with this type of architectural style. It is everywhere.

Yes, even our Target store is built in the same style of architecture. Everything is...Wal-mart, McD's...everything.

Sticking with the architectural theme, Santa Fe is the capital city of the state of New Mexico. This is our capitol building. Generally, capital buildings in the USA have a dome structure much like the capitol building in Washington DC, but not my home. Our capitol building is designed like a Native American Kiva, shaped in a large circle. No dome, but stucco like everything else.

The food is also unique in New Mexico. Chili, chili and more chili. We eat chili for breakfast, lunch and dinner...and when I am home, so do I. This photo is my favorite burrito - the chicken and potato, smothered in green chili from Tortilla Flats. Because of the climate in NM (high desert) these types of chili's only grow in this part of the country. I cannot get enough of them. Yum!

Another unique favorite is Senor Murphy's candy. They make candy with a local flavor...pinon (pine nuts) and chili powders can be found as a brittle flavor only here. Don't knock it until you try it.

The people in Santa Fe are as unique as the place. This is mariachi man. He walks around like this in public. He isn't the only one in costume in these parts. The people watching is like no other.

If you haven't already been there, I highly recommend you visit Santa Fe and gander at or taste all the things that make this place a one of a kind.

International Folk Art Market

Kenyon and I are currently in New Mexico and enjoying time in my hometown with my family. Our first weekend we had the opportunity to participate in the annual International Folk Art Market. I heart folk art! If I ever go back to school to earn another graduate degree, I want to study cultural anthrolopogy. Cultures fascinate me. Here are some photos from our fun weekend activity:

Coming to America!

Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave,
and grow old wanting to get back to. ~John Ed Pearce

Today, is the start of what my employer calls "home leave." It is very aptly named. It isn't vacation as most of the time will be spent busy with visits to people we haven't seen and taking care of business we cannot overseas. We didn't even contemplate an exotic destination. Our primary purpose is to visit the people and places that we care about. We are going home. The challenge for the Warren's, is home is not a single destination. Thanks to my overwhelming travel in recent years we were able to get multiple tickets on airmiles and will be in three US states over the coming weeks. I don't plan to write posts consistently on this blog. From time to time there may be a mobile post or random postings of major events. We return to Africa in August and I will resume normal routines then. I will still be sending tweets from Twitter.
 
Enjoy your summer! Laugh often. Have fun. Embrace the moments that make up life. My plan is to just be present where I am at and cherish the wealth of relationships I am blessed with.

This is Africa: 4th of July

Yes, we can even celebrate American holidays in Africa. Thanks to the US Embassy and the American school for a fabulous 4th of July party!

I haven't seen so much red, white and blue in a VERY long time.

There were flags in flower pots.

Uncle Sam with a face that looks a lot like mine, saying, "We want you!"

We met up with the wonderful Whitlocks.

Had some fun at the face painting booth.

Then came the games. Tug-of-war.

Volleyball.

All in all, it was a great celebration. It put us in a great mood to return to our homeland for a few weeks. God bless America. Land that we love.

What did you do this 4th of July?

Adventures in Africa: Road Trip!

 Kenyon and I recently took a road trip in Mozambique. I wanted to share with you some of the photos from that adventure.

Taken from the car on my little point and shoot camera. I took this photo to show the people walking in the road. For some reason there are always people walking in the road in Africa. It is quite the obstacle and rather dangerous at night when visibility is low.

There are obstacles beyond the people. On the left is feet of dirt pile up, ready for grading someday. I am told this road has been under construction for years. There are sticks every few feet to keep people from driving on the left side of the road. You should be able to recognize what is coming at us on the right. We fit between the two, but I still wonder how.

This is another common site. People piled in the back of a pick-up. They drive like this for hours. Many commuting to places like Maputo (the city we live in) or South Africa for work.

So far, all of our road trips have been taken with the Whitlocks. Usually in their 13-passenger van - though it is often driven like it's a much smaller, more agile vehicle. I have decided we are too soft on our vehicles in the States. Vehicles in America lead a very cushy, sheltered life!

This trip, we really pushed the van to it's limits on the sandy terrain. Four wheel drive vehicles, like the one we drive, can rise above the sinking sand. The Whitlock van wasn't so lucky.

Thankfully, there was a good samaritan willing to help. He gave it the best he had and nearly burnt the clutch on his vehicle trying. In the end, they had to send a tractor to dig the van out of it's hole.

These are the events memories are made of!