Here's a nice print of a painting of Taos pueblo by artist Janet Kimberling. Please note behind the pueblo lies the sacred Taos mountain whose snow-capped peak feeds Blue Lake. From this lake flows a small, life giving stream through the pueblo. There is no running water or electricity permitted within these ancient adobe walls (dating from 1000-1450 A.D.).There are two main structures comprising the pueblo. This one is of the more photographed northern building. The other, about the same age, is on the the south side of the stream flowing thru the village. They are considered the oldest continuously occupied buildings in North America and in 1992 were added to the World Heritage Society's list of historical cultural landmarks considered to be the most significant in the world. Other notable landmarks on that list include the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids. (Attribute: Taos Pueblo)
Taco Bell Taos MountainWhile in Taos last week, I was lucky enough to capture another image of the Taos pueblo's sacred mountain. This one's from within Taos city limits proper. Being as how it was late June, the snow-cap of the mountain (on right, in background) had melted. Sadly, it is only within the past few years the view of the red man's sacred mountain has been obstructed by a white man's Taco Bell selling imitation brown man's food. But these contributions by each of the different groups that comprise the rich Taos cultural mix are part of what makes Taoseno's history so colorful I guess.
And with a little creative fancy so prevalent in the Taos area, it's not very difficult to imagine that in another thousand years, this Taos Taco Bell guarding the sacred mountain may join the World Heritage Society's list of enduring structures like its Taos pueblo sister monument to mankind, along with the other notables such as the Great Pyramids.
5 comments:
Dada, it's amazing that pueblo is still occupied & shows the commitment of the people to their culture. Since you mentioned the Great Pyramids, I wonder if there is an astronomical significance at this pueblo, too. And then, you contrasted it with Taco Bell --- blechh!!! I always feel so sorry for the emp'ees in those places, most of whom do not speak much english & must be laughing their culas off at what passes for mexican cuisine en los estados unidos. Great juxtaposition! Isn't there a McD's near the Great Wall of China (or is it a Burger Khan?).
oh, maineiac, thanks so much for the Anita Thompson blog link. I just love all the great HST quotes she works into each post! I don't think I would recommend The Rum Diary, though, except to a die-hard HST-fan like yourself. The story goes nowhere, the drinking seems excessive even for him & paints his whole carribean experience in a degenerate way (hummm, suddenly that starts sounding like a recommendation, doesn't it?). However, it was interesting to see his future style developing even at 22-yrs old. I knew very little of Puerto Rico, but while reading this book, I also caught Rosie Perez' fine documentary "Yo Soy Boricua" on IFC which gives a REAL flavor to their culture. D.K.
Hi DK: Taos Pueblo is an amazing place. I've taken the guided walking tour several times and, inevitably, I am drawn to tears at the site of the original church in which members, seeking shelter inside, were artilleried to death by US soldiers with cannons. (Always, it's easier to kill from afar--it's nothing "personal" that way I guess.)
And so, what little of the church the shells didn't flatten still remains. The rest is now a cemetery pueblo members have to wait a lifetime to get into. (?) (If they're lucky.)
I just thought this wonderful Taco Bell architecture echoed the curves of the sacred mountain so very nicely, don't you?
I also echo your appreciation, DK, for Maineiac's recommendation of Anita Thompson's blog.
I need to talk to Maineiac. I think we're thinking of getting a laptop, but I want to make sure I'll be able to wirelessly "connect" to our desktop. I think I read something about the laptop needing a PC slot. Oh never mind, I'll check at the store. But half the time I'm not sure how really knowledgeable those kids working there are.
hahaha, sorry to have given the impression that I'm any sort of PC geek...I have taken a page from musician George Thorogood in that realm...when asked about the talent behind his popularity some years ago, Mr. Thorogood replied, "I only know three chords, but I know 'em cold"...so, here's what I know about personal computers...
1.) Anything you buy today will be obsolete in 18 months.
2.) As a rule, Microsoft products suck and they are a target for every hacker out there.
3.) Nobody "owns" the Internet and Al Gore did not invent it.
You'll be better off with the kids in the store, but bring along your skepticism...
There's no way in hell that an icon of a throw-away, consumer culture like a Taco Bell can survive 1,000 years in a spiritually powerful place like Taos, so I recognize sarcasm in the last paragraph of your post...well put!
rats dada, i was also hoping maneiac would have a specific laptop recommendation! We might be in the market later this year & I thought we would probably be the last dinosaurs in the world to purchase one. I get so intimidated in those computer stores. The only thing I insist on is that whatever I buy is complete, i.e. I don't need to buy any other peripheral equip to make it do what I want it to do right away.
oh & maineiac's Geo Thorogood quote reminded me of Bono's "all I got is a red guitar, 3 chords & the Truth" (but that itself was probably a quote of someone else, etc). -- D.K.
....or we have a couple of beers again at your house and I'll assist you in your computer troubles:o))
"The German"
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