Santa Fe !!!

W-O-W - what is not to like about Santa Fe? I felt an immediate "calming effect" the moment we stepped out of the car. This place is laid-back and relaxing - not low-stress....but No-Stress!

I love the architecture. The building code is such that all architecture has to be "Adobe/Santa Fe" style which gives you a feeling there has been no new construction there for 100's of years.....you expect the American Indians to still inhabit all the buildings. It is so cool!

The shopping is to die for - and you are kidding yourself if you think you will only "window-shop". After looking at their beautiful, hand-made silver jewelry pieces for hours - you are going to find a "deal" - and you ARE going to "buy"!!! So, yes, I ended up with 5 BEAUTIFUL pieces of jewelry from Michael, and (yes) I do know I am spoiled rotten. We also were able to find what we think will be a GREAT Christmas present for Nick and Lindsey, I think they will love it!

And you ask - how good is the food in Santa Fe? I gained 5 pounds in 5 days - does that answer your question? OK, just kidding, but the food there is Awesome, and I have never had a better Margarita in my life than the one they serve at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, our hotel. The secret seems to be their addition of Guave juice - but whatever it is, we felt it our civic duty to have at least 1 Margarita every afternoon at the end of our shopping trips. YUMMY.

If we go again, perhaps we will get a massage, Santa Fe is known for their great massages. However, my thought when Michael asked me about getting a massage - is that they are more expensive than the are worth. But considering what Michael spent on jewelry, we would have saved lots of money had we been laying on a massage table!