Christmas in Santa Fe

I know the title is uninspiring, let's hope the rest of this soliloquy picks it up. Although I don't remember the date and time, I do recall the place and reason for Santa Fe being chosen to spend last Christmas at. I was at work a couple of weeks before christmas twiddling my thumbs when of all things I began to read CNN's Travel page. I happened upon an article by a lady who had written about her last Christmas, you guessed it, at Santa Fe. The piece was so well-written, as opposed to what you are reading now, I was immediately sold. She described the quaintness and charm of Santa Fe with such eloquence and sincerity it helped me persuade my friends to going. From that point on it was just figuring out the most economical way of getting there and staying there. Santa Fe during christmas is an exquisite experience, a conglomeration of Western, Hispanic, and Native American culture. The food, the farolito walk on christmas eve, the food, the adobe architecture, did i mention the food, the skiing, and of course the FOOD!!!!! If you go to Santa Fe, eat at Maria's, have there blue corn enchilada with the carne. It will leave you gasping for breath, and in extreme confusion, quench the fire in your mouth or shovel some more in. Skiing was great, word of advice, take the classes, and get as much time on the slopes as you can. Our instructor was great, got us all whizzing down the slopes in a few hours. As the day drew to a close, Varkey, Arun and I, decided to graduate ourselves from the bunny slope to the next level of green. We got on the lift and just kept going, finally getting off at the top of the mountain. I tell you people, it was beautiful, perfect snow, conifers standing tall, all these graceful people zipping down, and then there was me, scared *$@&less, not sure if it was time to start the flashback reel. Varkey and I started down, until I took my first spill. He waited until I got back up on my skis, and stayed until my next spill, which came soon, after which he abandoned me to my fate. I made my way down, finally, just before my sister filed a missing skier report. It was exhilirating, those moments on my back, admiring the sky, waving at skiersby, the few upright seconds, wind in my face, inching around turns, making sure I didn't take the blue slope inadvertently. Even though I spent a lot of time on my back, legs twisted beneath me, it was gratifying, I'll be going again.
Christmas eve in Santa Fe is the highpoint of the season. Farolitos, little paper bags with candles inside them, lined along Canyon Road, light up Christmas Eve. Hundreds of people come out, there are bonfires along the way with carolers every so often regaling passersby with popular tunes. Many of the stores, mostly galleries, are open. Walk around, get some hot chocolate, browse through exquisite art, watch a glass-blower at work, sing along for a while, warm your hands at a bonfire, enjoy the people, enjoy the lights, fall in love with Santa Fe.