Where the wind blows tall

We've had two New Mexican experiences in the past few days worth sharing, one regarding cuisine and one regarding the local citizens.

Although Los Alamos is relatively small and isolated, there is a surprising number of international restaurants, including two sushi places and a mediteranean/mid-east/north African cafe. There is also a Thai restaurant in town, Lemongrass. Last Friday Logan and I, being without kitchen, and upon a friend's recommendation, dined there. However, this being Los Alamos, the delivery truck with the Thai chiles had not made it for some reason, so instead of being flavored the traditional way, we were served our entrees with a side of spicy red chile sauce. It was Thai food New Mexican style, and quite good. Certainly better than Italian gelato French style.

Yesterday, we met a character while using the free wi-fi of the best coffee shop in town. It shares a building with a fancy cookware store. A young man sauntered in, and was looking at the various pans and knives, and one of the most bizarre exchanges took place:

store's proprietor: "Can I help you with anything?"
young man: "not unless you have $200 or a bottle of vodka."

the kid couldn't have been older than 18 or 19. He came up to us and asked:

"Do you think there's Native Americans living around here?"
"I'm sure there are."
"Well, you're looking at one!"

We had a nice conversation with him later, and he told us all about life on the reservation, his love of breaking horses, and how instead of going to McDonald's, they would slaughter a sheep. It was quite educational.

twilight and evening bell

Since Los Alamos is snuggled up against the Jemez mountains to the West, the Sun disappears behind the skyline long before sunset. Being somewhat of a sunset lover, this was a disappointment, at least until tonight. Logan and I took the babies on our passeggiata, exploring the neighborhood, checking out trails, and enjoying each others company after I was away at work all day.

As we turned around to head home, we had a clear view across the valley to the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Above the mountains the sky was lavender and gradually changed colors, like a wide, fuzzy rainbow stretched out across the ridge line. It was not as brilliant and bright as the sunset to the West, but rather was subtle and fair to behold.

They are night zombies! They are neighbors! They have come back from the dead! Ahhhh!

So Helena is walking, and when she does, she looks like a zombie. She holds her arms out in front of her, her movements are jerky and stiff, and she lets out a long groaning sound as she moves forward. I'm not sure how she did it, but today I even saw her do a zombie run.

I'm not worried that my daughter will eat me, or at least not yet. If she learns how to say "Brains..." I'm heading for the hills.

Eric

flora and fauna

The other day I hopped in the car to go pick up Eric from work. As I was heading into town I felt something tickling my leg. I looked down and a rather large spider was crawling up my ankle. Suppressing arachnophobic panic and a strong desire to drive the car off a cliff I managed to slow the car and shake the spider off my leg and under my shoe. I continued on my way with phantom creepy crawlies prickling all over me. When I reached Eric, I joked that I had almost got into an accident on my three minute drive because of a spider. Eric usually sneers a bit at my fear of spiders, but I insisted that it was a really big one and no laughing matter. Holding back his eye roll we got back into the car, but before we drove any where I ordered him to remove the body of the dead spider (I didn't want it coming back to life and eating me). He glanced around on the floor grabbed one of its black legs and pulled it out. I punctuated this ceremony with faux girly squeals, but felt a real shiver of panic when he flipped the black bulbous body over to reveal the perfect red hour glass on its belly.

Hello Mrs. Widow.

"Do what I want, and I'm gonna get paid"

We arrived in NM Sunday afternoon, and were greeted by a big storm as we drove across the Rio Grande to go up the hill to Los Alamos. The afternoon Sun was in our eyes and our entire field of vision was white from the glare. The rain and hail pounded the car, then cleared up as we drove up to the Atomic City. They say that after living here for two years you get a super power, though I'm not sure if you get to choose or if it is assigned to you.

The drive out West wasn't bad. The worst part was leaving less than 24 hours after returning from Europe. We made several stops to visit family and friends, which was nice. Helena and James took everything in stride, sleeping in their carseats, mostly. They charmed the country at every rest stop and restaurant along the way, smiling and giggling and being cute. It's what they do best.

My first day of work coincided with the Los Alamos County Schools first day of schools. Several of the kids from my new parish stopped by during their lunch period, which was nice. (Immaculate Heart of Mary is right next to the High School) We have our own building for the youth, the John Paul the Great Center, which was an old visitors center for the county that got uplifted and planted right behind the Church. Everybody has been very welcoming, especially the pastor, Fr. John Carney.

So here we are, at the end of our Transatlantic Oddysey: New Mexico by way of Italy and France.

Eric