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.