Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque
Chapter One
The Best of Northern
New Mexico
New Mexico's Pueblo tribes have one character that stands out among many as a
symbol of the spirit of this state: the fun-maker, called by a variety of names, most
notably Koshare. Within the Native American dances, this black-and-white-striped
character has many powers. He can cure some diseases, make rain fall, and
increase fertility. Above all, the irreverent joker exposes our deepest foibles.
As you travel throughout northern New Mexico, you may see evidence of the
Koshare-like powers in the land's magical beauty and in the tender relationships
between cultures. This place has witnessed immense geologic upheavals, from
volcanic explosions to cataclysmic ground shifts. It has seen tragedy in the clash
between Spanish, Native American, and Anglo cultures. And yet, with its
Koshare nature, it has transformed those experiences into immeasurable richness.
Today, it is a land of stunning expanses, immense cultural diversity, and
creativity-a place where people very much pursue their own paths.
The center of the region is Santa Fe, a hip, artsy city that wears its 400-year-old
mores on its sleeve. Not ... read full excerpt from Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque ebook
