ISLETA AND ACOMA PUEBLOS

Priests at the Isleta Pueblo after the dedication of the shrine

 

The Shrine to the 1st Native American Saint

 

Two lovely Native American ladies

 

On the way to the Acoma Pueblo

 

The Acoma Pueblo is on top of the rock formations straight ahead

 

Reminded Vannie of "Stonehenge"

 

The pueblo is in the sky!

 

Helen's Pozola...

 

 

            Two Native American Pueblos in two days.  First it was Acoma…all I heard about was the fabulous scenery…the pueblo in the sky…history in its glory…breathtaking…quite…thoughtful.  Sky City, as this pueblo is called, is 370 feet above the desert.  It dates back to around 1100 A.D.  There are about 300 adobe and sandstone structures.  It is about an hour west of Albuquerque.  The homes are owned by Acoma Pueblo females. Now, that is a piece of news that I like.  Go Girls! 

            Second, it was Isleta….beat, beat, beat of the drums, whirling and twirling of the native dancers, dedication of the shrine to the first Native American Saint, dignitaries, beautiful costumes, the young, the old, Native American food (turkey, tamales, enchiladas from Jemez Pueblo, green/red chili, Indian bread, fried bread, Indian tacos, bread pudding, and more).  The Isleta Pueblo is about 30 minutes south of Albuquerque.

            I heard two very different stories…both unique and distinctive in their own way.  Vannie and Dave were tourists at the Acoma Pueblo, but were invited guests at the Isleta celebration.  Vannie said that the Native American people are very private, and she felt very special to have been among the guests. 

            Tomorrow we head out of Albuquerque.  We have loved our stay here and are a little nostalgic about leaving.  V and D’s friends, Loretta and Helen, made them a going-away meal last night…pozola with hominy and red chili.  They played cards and had a great evening.  I was getting a little worried about them.  We all know old folks don’t need to be driving around after dark.  But do they listen to me…nada!

 We are going south to see the White Sands area, our friend, Philip Jowers, in Artisia, and who knows what else.  The sky’s the limit.