Friday (5/22)  We spent the day in Santa Fe which as many historic buildings.   The first building we visited the Loretto Chapel.  This chapel is famous for the stair case to the choir loft. The stair case has two complete 360 degree turns and no visible means of support.   It has no pole in the middle nor any support on its sides.  It looks like a ribbon that was twisted and attached to the choir loft.  It was built in the 1870's and even today, architects don't understand how stays up. The story of the stair case includes answered prayers of the nuns and a carpenter who came and built it and disappeared without payment.  The stair cases has 33 steps - the age Jesus was when he died. 

We went to the oldest church  and the oldest house in the United States which are located right next door to each other in Santa Fe.   Both date to the early 1600's and are adobe structures. The church is now privately owned and is a museum.   The house is a museum as well.

Next we visited the State Capitol which was built in 1965 and is round like the Zia Sun Symbol. This symbol is everywhere and was inspired by a design found on a 19th century water jar from the Zia Pueblo.   It is closely associated with the Land of Enchantment.  The Capitol has a collection of native art work which is on display throughout the Capitol.  One of the sculptures lists the names of over 500 indian tribes that are extinct in New Mexico.  

The afternoon was spent walking around the Plaza looking at the jewelry and art of the native indians.   The indian artisans display their works on blankets on one side of the Plaza.  It is fascinating to see it all and to speak to the individuals who make the items for sale.