Thursday, September 21, 2006
A day at the Fair - The New Mexico State Fair
Villa Hispana - The Spanish Village is like taking a small trip to Mexico! Fabulous foods, dancing happy music & good shopping!!
Spontaneous dancing breaks out!! This older couple were dancing wonderfully to everyone's delight - and the music was so infectious that others began dancing as well!! We were all over the courtyard - alone and in various groups - but all sharing the same experience of joy.
Here are two people who were caught up in the moment!! After I took the picture they chastised me - not to show it to their wives!!
Mexican Cantina - not in the village actually - but in the spirit of the village!
The Indian Village entrance. Here you will find interesting food, Indian music, dancing and shops. I had lunch here - an Indian Taco - made with Fry bread as big as a dinner plate! And then layered with green chilies, pinto beans, seasoned beef, lettuce, onions and cheese. Like a Mexican Taco except for the fry bread - an Indian delicacy - and the addition of beans. It does not need sauce - the green chilies do that!! When your eyes water and your nose runs - you know it is good!!
I later had my dessert in the Spanish village - where they were making soapapillas (sp?) and serving them with lots of honey!! One of my favorite things to eat. And totally unlike me, I ate it with my fingers, right then and there! and let the honey run all over the place because it was hot and fresh and so delicious!!
These Indians, from different Tribes in the USA, are competing in the Fancy Dancing Contest - the music - the drums were exuberant and you could feel it in your stomach!
This is only a small sample of the fantastic art work that was in the Fair. They were not too keen on photograghs - so I just got one. In the foreground under the wall hanging - that is done on leather - is a hand carved table and chairs - it was so intricate and detailed - and done perfectly. The swing was the same - all hand made, and rich with carving.
These "horsey guys" were walking all over to the delight and sometimes the horror of the children!
The National Park Service presentation of our beautiful and abundant state.
