MOUNTAIN HIGHS

The landscape is a rich red in colour and the area is unique in its lack of the things typical to US towns. We did not see any offices,strip malls,hoardings or the profusion of restaurants,and other businesses. The area is rich in crafts and we saw women selling handmade jewelry at every key destination.
The other plain and surprising observation is how it seemed more relaxed in terms of rules and regulations than the rest of the country. Here we saw horses roaming on the main road and children in the back of pick-up trucks. No one here is bothered about a seat belt,something unheard of in any part of America.

Once in the Monument Valley Park,we took the 17 mile dirt road within the park and stopped at various points. Tours through the road costing anywhere from $40 to $73. After the three-hour ride on the road,we were starving and longed for a decent meal and some rest.
The Navajo tribe owns the only hotel near the park called “The View”. We headed over to its restaurant at the hotel and ordered vegetarian quesadillas—the side order was a stupendous view of the valley. It is a not surprise that this is one of the most photographed landscapes in America. Its monoliths and buttes have been a backdrop for many Hollywood Westerns in the last 80 years.
After spending two nights in Monument Valley,we drove to Santa Fe,the capital of New Mexico. At 7,000 feet above sea level,it is the highest state capital in America.

The first thing you notice when you drive into the city is its architecture. By law,all buildings in the city have an earth-toned colour and look like the traditional adobe homes—with flat roofs,coloured doors and windows. The houses make Santa Fe look like a dream city where everything is colour co-ordinated.
The city is well-known as a centre for arts and its art market is the second largest in America after New York. On the city’s Canyon Road,you will find galleries which showcase the work of Southwestern,indigenous American and experimental art,in addition to Russian,Taos Masters,and Native American work. We window shopped at the various jewellery shops in the city and ended the day with a tasty cappuccino and a Napoleon pastry at a French restaurant with a name that was no surprise —Café Paris.

The next stop on our trip was Taos,a cute little town that keeps reminding you that you are in in New Mexico,with its architecture,the easy going air,warm people,the souvenirs and the food. Just before we entered the town,we stopped at El Santurio De Chimayo,a Roman Catholic church built in the early nineteenth century which contains a round pit,the source of “holy dirt” (tierra bendita) that is believed to have healing powers.

We had lunch outside the church under the trees. It was a dish called Tamales —steam-cooked corn dough with a chilli filling. So delicious that I wouldn’t mind doing a pilgrimage for such melt-in-the-mouth moments.
After an hour,we were at Taos which is filled to its brim with crafts and souvenirs. And the only thing to do was shop.
With a lovely carpet,a bagful of artifacts and memories of a beautiful vacation we headed back home,with the mountain tops holding the sky up behind us.

FAST FACTS
How to get there:
Fly to Albuquerque via New York,San Francisco or any major US city. Rent a car at Albuquerque for Monument Valley,which is five hours away.
Santa Fe is a 45-minute drive from Albuquerque.
Where to stay:
Hotel The View,at Monument Valley,has all rooms with good views. Book at least five months in advance. A double room tariff begins at about $200.
At Santa Fe, try the Inn of the Five Graces for $400 per night. There are other smaller inns around the downtown too.
What to eat:
At the valley,the The View has a nice restaurant that serves local fare including the Navajo fried bread.
In Santa Fe,try Tomasitos for excellent Mexican food and margaritas,Pink Adobe for an afternoon lunch of traditional Santa Fe cuisine.