MRdacosta - Photobucket

This post has been entered into the Travelocafe blogging competition.

If you had to choose just one place you've been to claim as your favorite which would it be? Tough question right? When I first saw this competition I wasn't sure it could be done. My mind flipped through all the beautiful places I've been - Ireland, Belize, Malaysia, London. Not to mention all those other places I haven't made it to yet, which would certainly make the list.

In the end though it could only be New Mexico. I spent most of my childhood in the barren, windblown beauty of the place - the vast stretches of sagebrush, the canyons and arroyos carving out pieces of the earth, the mud of the adobe buildings standing tall against the harsh sun - and my heart still lies there.

jbeare - Photobucket

The beauty is hard to see in the cities, but head up north towards the towering mountains that smell of pine, aspen leaves shocking yellow and white against green, or to a Native American reservation where colorful dances still take place to the beat of ancient drums, and you begin to get a feeling for what New Mexico really has to offer.

The rushing Rio Grande surrounded by Cottonwoods always stimulates - raft it if you dare, or just stand on its muddy banks and watch the cold water swirl past.

jbeare - Photobucket

Red chili ristas hang reminding you of enchiladas. Posole and biscochitos, those round cinnamon and anise Christmas cookies all us New Mexicans know so well, are ultimate comfort foods. The blue corn up north and the Hatch green chile down south stimulates even the most uninterested appetite.

virginijakliukinskaite_photos's - Photobucket

Go see New Mexico for yourself. Watch the autumn balloon fiesta, the bubbles of hot air rising above the river, or visit one of the pueblos to see how Native Americans still live on the land they've called home for centuries. Walk down the quiet streets of Santa Fe. You might see the magic that I do.

3 comments

1. Miss Footloose on August 31, 2010 at 6:52 AM

   Your Mexico sounds wonderful, and I know how difficult it is to choose your favorite place in the world.
   
   I've lived and traveled all over the world, well almost.
   
   My favorite place would be the highlands of Bali (not the coastal areas). The green peaceful serenity of the place and the people must be as close to heaven as we can get!

    
2. Nova Walsh on September 1, 2010 at 2:38 AM

   Miss Footloose - Bali sounds beautiful and I hope to get the chance to visit someday. It's on our list while we're living here in Taiwan. Who knows, after I see it Bali may become my favorite too!

    
3. Anonymous on September 5, 2010 at 4:56 PM

   Sounds like you miss your childhood, as do I in NM. My favorite memories are exploring Bandlier, the crisp cool morning of a massive baloon liftoff, an all day pontoon journey on Lake Heron or setting up for an art show on Santa Fe Plaza.