There are magical places, people to visit in Santa Fe
Welcome to Santa Fe, my hometown. What really makes Santa Fe a truly magical place to visit and live are the special people who take time out to talk with you while you are shopping in their stores.
Stopping by Video Library in the Harvey Center to select a DVD, or even a videocassette, is the opposite of the Redbox and Netflix movie experience. Co-owner Lisa Harris and her gang provide an extensive and in-depth knowledge of movies.
In addition, they personalize movie choices that will best suit your interests and what you might be going through in your life — a kind of “movie therapy.” Be prepared to not only pick up the movie you were looking for but to also enter into lively coffee-house conversation about your life, your world and your dog. I have known Lisa since 1983, and she has been a consistent bright light of caring and sharing.
Next on my list of magical places is Keshi, the home of many beautiful Zuni carved fetishes and jewelry. When you walk into the store, one of the animal fetishes might call out to you. It is a living Medicine Card experience where Bronwyn Fox and her crew enjoy sharing the stories of both the carvers and the stone fetishes. The animal and corn maiden carvings have archetypal meanings that can reflect back to you a theme about your inner life. Friendly and insightful conversations are at the heart of Keshi.
When you need a battery for your watch or motorcycle, go to BatteriesPlus on St. Michael’s Drive, where Jeff Hays and Jerry Sisneros will warmly greet you and take care of your battery needs. For me, the highlight of each visit is to play
with and cuddle their store mascot, Mo, a chocolate brown toy poodle. Jeff and Jerry do an excellent job with the battery business, and Mo, who I call “MoMo,” takes care of my dog-petting needs!
Your dog and cat will insist you take them to Marty’s Meals, which has a brand-new location on Cordova Road, where just the fragrances alone are enough to delight their sensitive noses. Some of the dog and cat foods made on-site are the healthiest for your four-leggeds, and the humans who work there are knowledgeable and really care about your pets. It is our grand-dog Munchkin’s favorite place to visit in town, with Rose Park coming in a close second.
Don’t forget a stop to Doodlet’s, my favorite “inner child workshop,” downtown. Stretch out your imagination and enter into a state of playfulness with toys, books, cards and so much more. The lucky people who love to work there are happy to remind you that it is never too late to have a happy childhood.
Lastly, there is a place in town where Wade will offer up more information about bugs, snakes and dinosaurs than you could ever imagine. It’s the Harrell House Bug Museum in the DeVargas Center. There is a small fee to enter the extensive bug and snake collection museum, and you can even gently handle a live millipede, if you dare!
These are just some of my favorite places in Santa Fe, where lively conversation is priceless. What are your favorite magical places?