Petite Nikola: August in Santa Fe

We just came back from a summer trip in Santa Fe . We were there during Indian Market. Downtown Santa Fe gets packed during these few days. About 150,000 visitors come for their chance to get spiritual by paying through the nose for some unique Southwestern turquoise jewelry or Native Indian art. The weather was subtly warm but not suffocating.

I bought of pair of these moccasin booties for Niko. I'll have to get a photo of her wearing these.

I don't consider myself a local by any means, but I've been to Santa Fe enough to escape the title of "tourist". And I believe I have a slim, but acceptable, understanding of the locals' culture simply by inhaling the New Mexican air and consuming the New Mexican cuisine in large quantities. I enjoy learning about the history and architecture as well.

By and large, the thick mass of tourists doesn't bother me. A tourist is one who visits a new place — and that's a wonderful place to be.

However there is one thing that chaps my hide. Steam comes out of my ears when I hear people say, "Oh don't the Indians have such interesting features?" "Look at them, they have great faces." "And they can dance too." "Really, they are just so very nice." They are human beings, not animals on display, inviting onlookers to observe their remarkable features. If I made a similar statement about caucasians, blacks, latinos, or any other race, it would come across as condescending, laced with superiority.

Picture Taker Picture Takee

Gawkers Gawkees

Snapper Snappee

Pisser Pissee?

I have to admit that I am guilty of a greater sin as I looked through the lens of my camera.

While in Santa Fe, we got a chance to watch an opera, La Traviata, at the amazing open air opera house.

As classy and elegant as the opera house is, this lovely feminine napkins supply box greeted me in the women's bathroom. That was as fun as these love-making crickets who greeted us on our hike the next day.