Day 11: partA, Taos pueblo

The day after the snow dawns sunny and we ride to the Taos Pueblo which is a few miles out of town

The red willow people have lived on this site, Taos Pueblo, for over 1000 years. It is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA.

I am posting this visit as part one of a special day in the 'land of enchantment' which is New Mexico.

First we break the ice and recall doing this as children on frosty winter mornings.

St Geronimo's church is just inside the gate. It was built in 1850 and is one of the youngest buildings in the village.

The simplicity and symmetry inspired me to make a single post of this church.

We are free to walk around the village and take photographs. There are some restricted areas used for ceremonial and other uses.

Originally the Pueblo structures were entered by ladder through an opening in the rooftop. In times of danger the ladders could be pulled from trough level.

The drying racks are used to dry meat for jerky and animal hides. Adobe blocks are drying inthe foreground. The exterior of the dwellings is plastered with Adobe each year because of exposure to the four seasons.

 

The domed horno is an adobe oven used to bake bread and cook game and vegetables. A cedar fire is built to heat the oven and the ashes removed before the food is placed inside to cook. I meet a fire day dog who follows me around.

 

 

The tribal government is by Tribal Council which elects officials of the tribal Governors Office which deals with civil and business issues and the Warchiefs office which is responsible to protection of the tribal lands - an area of over 100,000 acres.

This has been an extraordinary place to visit.

 

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