A Day Spent with Native American Culture

7/27
We slept in this morning since our first stop, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, doesn't open until 9. We spent the entire morning there. We hadn't been to the Museum half in years, and we saw two great short films. One was about Maria Martinez who is a very well known San Ildefonso potter,and it took you through the entire process of making those wonderful pots.
Our leftovers from La Hacienda was our lunch. We decided mine was better on reheat, but both (and a sopapilla) made a great lunch. Laundry had to be done too. A few hours of enforced relaxation.
Afterwards we headed to the Turquoise Museum where we learned that we knew nothing about turquoise. It actually made us more than a little paranoid about purchasing turquoise ever again. Apparently, it is very difficult for the untrained eye to see the differences, and you really have to trust that people are being honest. There were pointers on how to insure that you are getting the natural stuff, but it really does seem more like a crap shoot than anything else.
Before going back to the hotel, I wanted to stop and visit Alvin, who made my beautiful hammered silver earrings (purchased last summer). He was there and gave me a great deal on another pair of round earrings. We also visited Curtis, who made my silver bracelet. He didn't have much left, so we just chatted. He remarked on how humid it has been. We asked what "humid" is, and he said 60%. It is higher than that in our house when we have the a/c going full blast.
Dinner was unbelievable! We returned to the IPCC and ate at Pueblo Harvest. This place was fabulous. It was gourmet Mexican with a definite Native American twist. My chiles relleno were mouth-watering, and we both left with enough for another great meal tomorrow (lunch) after we visit Acoma.