Day of Rest

Sunday we find a little bit of rest.

 John and I went with Kris and Sanjay and the girls to Kris’ church.  Now when I say Kris’ church, I really mean it.  Kris grew up Dutch Reformed and attended Rehoboth Church and school in Gallup.  Up until recently her parents lived there and her sister and brother-in-law (who sat behind us at church) are also in town.

This Sunday there was a special guest preacher who had just published a book containing some of the stories of the Navajo members of the church.  Back in the days when the “Heathen Mission Board” sent emissaries to the nearby Navajo nation some Navajo children came to the Rehoboth School.  While the preaching was a great deal more of the service than I am used to, the stories were heartfelt and moving.

John got to go to Sunday School with Daya and returned at the end of worship (75 minutes later) with stories of Joseph and his dream interpretation and some very detailed drawings of football games. 

While we were at church Deena thoughtfully stayed behind and did laundry.  We picked Deena up after church and went on a brief driving tour of Gallup.  Sanjay showed us the hotels he’s rehabbing for homeless veterans and for clean and sober living as well as the new green low-income housing.  Sanjay told us that he doesn’t build green because of his deeply ingrained Berkeley nature but rather because utilities are such a large proportion of poor people’s expenses.  By building in such a way that homes retain heat in the winter and stay cool in the summer people can save money.

After seeing the sight of a gun battle between rich landowners and the people who really lived there.  In Sanjay’s words, “the last stand against American imperialism” (that’s why we love Sanjay) we headed off for lunch at Ed’s, a Gallup institution.  Ed’s was unique even from the parking lot.  Silver and turquoise jewelry making is a mainstay of the Gallup economy, but most artisans make little money.  At Ed’s the artisans themselves set up booths and tour the restaurant offering their wares.

The kids had predictable children’s food (chicken nuggets and corn dogs) while the adults enjoyed posole (puffed corn and beef chili) Navajo fry-bread, and Navajo tacos.

At this point, it might be worth noting that Gallup is not a vegetarian-dining destination.  Deena learned the hard way after her “vegetarian” breakfast burrito that morning came doused in cheese and meat sauce (but no meat INSIDE the burrito).  When Deena ordered her Navajo taco she asked for it to be vegetarian.  “Okay,” the waitress said.  As she was about to leave, Deena stopped her.  “Does the sauce have meat in it?”  “Yes” “Then make it with out the sauce.”  “Okay,” the waitress says, making a note.”  As she is about to leave Deena again says, “Wait!  Do the beans have meat in them?”  “Usually,” the waitress replies.  “Then make the taco with beans with no meat.”  “Okay,” the waitress says making another note.

We weren’t surprised when Deena’s burrito came to the table half way through the meal.  I think they had to keep sending it back.  Daya was the hero, asking until Deena got her lunch.

We said goodbye to the Kris, Sanjay, Daya and Lyse and hit the road for Albuquerque. 

The drive wasn’t long, but it happened to overlap with John’s favorite time of day, 4:00PM.  This has always been John’s favorite time.  I don’t know why.  Nothing special happens at school, there is no cartoon show or snack at this time.  Yet John often notes 4:00PM, particularly when driving.

At 3:58 I hear from the back seat, “Mama, at 4:00 there will be dancing.”  And lo, at exactly 4:00PM John did a spirited car seat-based dance.  Well done.

We got to town and met up with Deena’s friend Patty from the Baker’s Café in New York.  Many people from Shepherd of the Hills have sampled their treats.  Those delicious lemon cheesecake bars, the berry coffee cake, and the black-eyed Susan bars that Pr. Katie brings to coffee hour are all from the Baker’s Café Cookbook.  While the Baker’s Café is now closed, their cookbook is available online here: Baker's Cafe Cookbook  It was great to see Patty (Deena - “She’s just as fun and pretty as I remembered.”)

We then were on our way to Letta Gorder’s house for dinner.  Letta Gorder is the daughter of the pastor who baptized Jay when Jay was 30 and who married the Hines-Shah’s.  Letta is a cook of her mother’s own pedigree and made a feast of stewed beef (and mushrooms for Deena), handmade noodles, spicy corn and zucchini, and homemade brownies.  Delicious!

Of course, John was mostly interested in playing with Letta’s boys, Finn (10) and Aiden (6) and Letta’s iPad.  John couldn’t even been tempted by talking soccer with Letta’s husband Chris, a coach for the college team in Albuquerque.

We said goodbye and headed out to Santa Fe.  After a few twists and turns we arrived at our hotel, the Old Santa Fe Inn, and our fabulous room.  Last week I got a call saying that the queen room we had reserved was unavailable.  Would we mind being upgraded to the king suite?  Why no, we would not.

Our room has a kiva fireplace, a comfortable living room (with queen sized pull out bed), a generous bedroom, and a whirlpool tub.  John went right to bed, but Deena and I stayed up, enjoying the fireplace and catching up on the Mad Men finale.

Today we plan on going to Ten Thousand Waves, the greatest Japanese bath in the world, and will also have a great lunch in Santa Fe.  Tonight we sleep in Amarillo!