America My Beautiful

7 Things you Must Know Before Visiting New Mexico

This past summer I took a road trip through New Mexico, something I had wanted to do for a LONG time. I flew into Albuquerque, rented a car, and spent a week driving all over the state. New Mexico is a truly unique place, with gorgeous landscapes ranging from white sand deserts to snow topped mountains. If you are an outdoorsy person, you will be in heaven. If you are more of a “sit in the air conditioning and drink margaritas” person, you will be in heaven too. There is really something for everyone in this state. I will go into more detail about things to do in other posts, but here are 7 tips that will help you make the most of your trip!

1.) The food is not like anything else in the country. The closest relative is Tex-Mex, which is generally heavier and emphasizes meat, cheese and cream sauces. New Mexican food relies more on fresh ingredients, chili sauces and salsas. Right away we were surprised by the lack of cheese on the dishes. After living in Texas, I expected as much shredded cheddar on my plate as anything else. Not the case in NM! Additionally, many ingredients are taken from Native American culture like hominy, blue masa, and lots of fresh vegetables. Of course, I also need to mention…

2.) …New Mexicans love their chilies! Many traditional dishes come topped with red or hatch green chili sauce or a combination of the two (Christmas style). If you don’t like spicy foods, don’t let that deter you from trying new things, just ask for the sauce on the side so you can judge the heat before adding it to your dish. Surprisingly, green chilies are actually hotter than the red ones. I liked to order a side of guacamole if things got too spicy!

3.) Altitude sickness is a major concern. When traveling throughout New Mexico, there are significant differences in altitude. Albuquerque is around 5200 feet sea level. If you are driving north to visit Santé Fe and Taos, it climbs upwards to 8,000 feet (and higher in the mountains). Altitude sickness can happen to anyone, no matter your fitness level. Some basis tips: Take it slow and drink LOTS of water. More water than you think you need. If you start getting a headache or feel dizzy, stop and sit down. Allow time in your schedule for rest stops, especially when hiking or skiing. Also important to note: all those refreshing margaritas at the end of the day will hit you much harder than normal! Sip with caution. 🙂

4.) Fry Bread is not a traditional Native American food. Reminiscent of an elephant ear, fry bread a simple treat made of freshly fried dough and usually topped with honey and powdered sugar or turned into a taco. Although it is now a cultural staple associated with Native American cuisine, it did not come about until the mid 19th century. As the US government began relocating Native Americans away from their farms, they provided them with ingredients for the journey. From these ingredients, fry bread was born. It is a must try when visiting New Mexico, and understanding its significance is a great way to appreciate Native American history.

5.) Undecided about visiting Roswell? Skip it. Unless you are an alien enthusiast, or visiting 4th of July weekend (when festivals are held) it is not worth the trip for most people. The main street is lined with kitschy souvenir shops and outdated museums. If you are driving through, perhaps to Carlsbad Caverns, it might be good for a few quick laughs but that is about it.

6.) Taos Pueblo is a living community so be flexible with your schedule. A main attraction in northern New Mexico is Taos Pueblo, where about 150 people live without running water and electricity, just as their ancestors did nearly 1,000 years ago. There are over 2,000 tribe members living on the land surrounding it. While the Pueblo has general business hours, it is important to realize that is actually someone’s home and a cultural center for the tribe. The day we planned to visit, a funeral was taking place on the grounds and it was closed to the public all day. I didn’t want to miss it so we changed plans around to visit at another time. Keep this in mind and allow some flexibility in your schedule for this important stop.

7.) A Fetish is not what you think it is. When I heard I needed to check out the local fetish shop in Santé Fe, I will admit I was taken aback. Not knowing too much about Native American culture, I didn’t know that a Fetish is a stone animal carving thought to bring aid to a person in need. Different animals have different uses and can mean several things. Bears bring strength, eagles are for integrity, owls for wisdom etc. Some shops sell hundreds of carvings, ranging in size and price. Just make sure that when you want to show your friends your new fetish, you’re quick to explain its Native American significance. Otherwise things may get awkward.

Happy Travels!

Hailey

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