No I’m not Navajo. My parents and grandparents on both side were licensed traders on the Res. Mom and Dad both spoke fluent Navajo and most of us kids spoke some, but I’ve lost most of it except rudimentary words and most of the bad words.

My grandparents established some of the original trading posts and did everything they could to help the Navajos. I’ve found that many of the Navajos remember my family through oral histories. When I’m back home and speak with folks I don’t even know when I mention my folks names, thier names are recognized.

We spent a good bit of time in various Pueblos while we were in New Mexico.

When we were in Taos, I mostly talked to the people running the shops in the village. Actually, I was going to write a post about some of that cause I thought it was interesting (whether anyone else does or not).

But one guy had ‘magic candles’ for sale right as you came in the door. I asked him what was magic about them.

He was making a necklass at the time, so he kinda off handedly told me that his son makes them and that since his son is only 10 years old he says they are magic.

Then he looked up like he had misspoke and said, well, what’s really magic about them is that when the flame gets to the cedar it puffs smoke and that is the spirit of the grandfather…….. etc.

I said, ‘Oh yeah?’. We both laughed. I told him I thought it was pretty magical that his son had that much talent too. LOL

He got caught lol

Taos is about 150 miles east of the 4 Corners area. The 4 Corners area is much more deserty. Farmington and Gallup are the main hubs of the area. If you ever get the chance Gallup hosts the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial each year, I think in September. Tribes from all over the Americas come and perform their ceremonies and dances. Well worth the seeing. I grew up on the Navajo Reservation.

My husband kept saying that if they had a restaurant like that in our town they’d have them standing in the street waiting to get in.

It is really good!.

I saw the four corners area on a map. We went up to Taos - which I think??? is in that general direction.

Your description of Bandelier made me home sick. I grew up in the 4 corners area of NM (not near Bandelier), but much the same country and climate. Did you partake of any good NM style Mexican food?