The Plaza in Taos

Returning to the central Plaza that evening, we were entertained for a couple of hours with a live performance by musicians on the bandstand.  Listening to the singing in Spanish, we almost felt we were in another country.  It was a beautiful sunshiny evening with a huge audience, some families, some with dogs, sitting under the old cottonwood trees (photo) enjoying the ambience. 

According to the sign in the Plaza, it was established in the 1790’s by Spanish settlers and became the northernmost trading center of NM.  It has an old Hotel called “La Fonda” and shops such as “Taos Cowboy” for leather goods, Taos Trading Center, a goldsmith, “Nature’s Emporium Soap Co”, and other fancifully named shops. Passing by one of the galleries with some rather expensive items outside, a sign announced: “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a FREE puppy” - excellent idea!  Not that we don’t like children - we adore our two grandsons and are on our way northeast to see them in summer.