Santa Fe and Beyond
I've decided in stay in New Mexico for another week because the creative juices are in overdrive for my book. I've rented a pimped out white Cadillac DTS for about $28 a day (only in New Mexico) and have been driving all over the place. My wife, Natacha, has been patient back home in Boston. I plan on taking a trip back here with her sometime in February to celebrate her birthday and the dreaded commercially overdone Valentine's Day. She hates the day, but, her birthday is the day after, so, I get to package those two days in one and be a good husband. I feel like I've dipped into Hagop B. territory with these spousal name drops, so, I am going to stop before I get sued for copyright infringement!
Anyway, what the hell is the point of this post since I have no real Armenian things to say. Well, wait a minute because I will explain at the end. Unfortunately, no Armenian community of New Mexico meeting to report yet. I hope to change that before I leave. But, on with the story.
So... let's start. The reasons for my coming to New Mexico have been partially explained in my previous post. The other reason I am out here is because I have had some job interviews out here as well. Nothing exciting to report there. I get up very early in the morning and begin writing for about 4 hours. I take a break at around 10am and get in the Caddy and usually drive to Santa Fe or the surrounding areas to explore. It's kind of weird because I am alone here, but, whatever. As the days have passed and the routine of writing, sightseeing, exploring, and writing again has solidified, I've made some over-reaching observations. For one, the Native American presence here is immense and you are surrounded by it. The exploitation of Native American culture is all over the place in the form of jewlery, clothing, crafts, to naming housing complexes and so on. The genocide of American Indians by white settlers is still something that is not talked about much in school. It's kind of glossed over. Can you imagine those movies that portrayed Indians back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's? Ugh. So, what is left in many cases are "ruins" that are explored by tourists.
On a recent drive back from Santa Fe to Albuquerque as the sun was starting to set, I thought about how Armenians from Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia had been systematically erased. The last remnants of a great culture in that area almost completely wiped out. Churches such as Ani, etc are all that is left in that area. I am sort of rambling now, but the point I am trying to get across is that I am so glad to be alive and part of a larger Armenian Diaspora that values our history, has a place to go to call home (Armenia), and isn't part of a forgotten people or culture where all that are left are ruins. For those who bash Armenian Diasporans for whatever inane reason, I've just realized the true importance of having a Diaspora. The culture stays alive and we are still in play- with or without a homeland. (Glad to have one). I am not sure why this just dawned on me now while in New Mexico, but, a few trips to American Indian ruins will do that to someone. For those who have been to Armenian ruins in Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia, I would love to hear your opinions here.
Yesterday, I was in Santa Fe at their annual Governor's reception for local businesses and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Tickets were $20 and open to the public. It was attended by 1000 people. I went and had a great time. There were local restaurants with food samples all set up next to each other in conference style booths. I was given an "Alien Pop" by the Roswell delegation as well as a sticker that said "Bats Rule" from the Carlsbad delegation. For the most part, representative of businesses were there. I did have a chance to speak with Santa Fe's Mayor Larry Delgado for a few minutes over a drink regarding the arts scene in this fascinating city. The guy was so down to earth. I also stood in line and shook the hand of the Govenor Bill Richardson. About 10 seconds there and I said some bullsh*t I can't even remember. State Senators were there and all of the big whigs in New Mexico. All for $20 and a last minute ticket purchase. Not bad.
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Village of Corralles, NM where I pitched the idea of having Iakovos Kolanian perform at their music series. The offer was received enthusiastically and he will probably be there in May 2006 at the Old San Ysidro Church. Corralles is a community north of Albuquerque and right next to Rio Rancho (Intel) where their motto is "Drive Slow and See Our Village, Drive Fast and See Our Judge". Corralles has the highest per capita income in all of New Mexico where housing starts at about $500,000 and goes up from there. Each new housing purchase has to be on a minimum of 2 acres. The speed limit there is 25 MPH with it going up to 35MPH on rare streches. The speeding limit is strictly enforced. I found out the hard way going 33MPH in a 25. I was given a warning and told to enjoy the town. "Slow down, young fella- what's the rush?" I was nicely scolded by an officer "Wade". Last Saturday, I was supposed to attend a concert in ALBQ performed by violinist MIDORI, but, the show started at 6pm instead of 8pm as I though it would So, I missed that and tried to attend a classical guitar music concert in Corralles by the young Serbian Petar Jancovic. That was sold out and I was turned away. But, now before pitching the Iakovos idea to the the organizer.
The Armenian angle is that there really isn't a thriving Armenian culture here. Sometimes exploring the American side of our lives can be deeply moving. While I always will always identify myself as an "Armenian", sometimes stepping away from that for a little time can have a healing effect of re-charging the ethnic batteries and giving us a little space to appreciate where we have come from. It also allows me to grow as a person and not be so polarized within our community. Striking that healthy balance between being a citizen of the world and the possessor of an ethnic background is key for me.
Till next time...
Anyway, what the hell is the point of this post since I have no real Armenian things to say. Well, wait a minute because I will explain at the end. Unfortunately, no Armenian community of New Mexico meeting to report yet. I hope to change that before I leave. But, on with the story.
So... let's start. The reasons for my coming to New Mexico have been partially explained in my previous post. The other reason I am out here is because I have had some job interviews out here as well. Nothing exciting to report there. I get up very early in the morning and begin writing for about 4 hours. I take a break at around 10am and get in the Caddy and usually drive to Santa Fe or the surrounding areas to explore. It's kind of weird because I am alone here, but, whatever. As the days have passed and the routine of writing, sightseeing, exploring, and writing again has solidified, I've made some over-reaching observations. For one, the Native American presence here is immense and you are surrounded by it. The exploitation of Native American culture is all over the place in the form of jewlery, clothing, crafts, to naming housing complexes and so on. The genocide of American Indians by white settlers is still something that is not talked about much in school. It's kind of glossed over. Can you imagine those movies that portrayed Indians back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's? Ugh. So, what is left in many cases are "ruins" that are explored by tourists.
On a recent drive back from Santa Fe to Albuquerque as the sun was starting to set, I thought about how Armenians from Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia had been systematically erased. The last remnants of a great culture in that area almost completely wiped out. Churches such as Ani, etc are all that is left in that area. I am sort of rambling now, but the point I am trying to get across is that I am so glad to be alive and part of a larger Armenian Diaspora that values our history, has a place to go to call home (Armenia), and isn't part of a forgotten people or culture where all that are left are ruins. For those who bash Armenian Diasporans for whatever inane reason, I've just realized the true importance of having a Diaspora. The culture stays alive and we are still in play- with or without a homeland. (Glad to have one). I am not sure why this just dawned on me now while in New Mexico, but, a few trips to American Indian ruins will do that to someone. For those who have been to Armenian ruins in Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia, I would love to hear your opinions here.
Yesterday, I was in Santa Fe at their annual Governor's reception for local businesses and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Tickets were $20 and open to the public. It was attended by 1000 people. I went and had a great time. There were local restaurants with food samples all set up next to each other in conference style booths. I was given an "Alien Pop" by the Roswell delegation as well as a sticker that said "Bats Rule" from the Carlsbad delegation. For the most part, representative of businesses were there. I did have a chance to speak with Santa Fe's Mayor Larry Delgado for a few minutes over a drink regarding the arts scene in this fascinating city. The guy was so down to earth. I also stood in line and shook the hand of the Govenor Bill Richardson. About 10 seconds there and I said some bullsh*t I can't even remember. State Senators were there and all of the big whigs in New Mexico. All for $20 and a last minute ticket purchase. Not bad.
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Village of Corralles, NM where I pitched the idea of having Iakovos Kolanian perform at their music series. The offer was received enthusiastically and he will probably be there in May 2006 at the Old San Ysidro Church. Corralles is a community north of Albuquerque and right next to Rio Rancho (Intel) where their motto is "Drive Slow and See Our Village, Drive Fast and See Our Judge". Corralles has the highest per capita income in all of New Mexico where housing starts at about $500,000 and goes up from there. Each new housing purchase has to be on a minimum of 2 acres. The speed limit there is 25 MPH with it going up to 35MPH on rare streches. The speeding limit is strictly enforced. I found out the hard way going 33MPH in a 25. I was given a warning and told to enjoy the town. "Slow down, young fella- what's the rush?" I was nicely scolded by an officer "Wade". Last Saturday, I was supposed to attend a concert in ALBQ performed by violinist MIDORI, but, the show started at 6pm instead of 8pm as I though it would So, I missed that and tried to attend a classical guitar music concert in Corralles by the young Serbian Petar Jancovic. That was sold out and I was turned away. But, now before pitching the Iakovos idea to the the organizer.
The Armenian angle is that there really isn't a thriving Armenian culture here. Sometimes exploring the American side of our lives can be deeply moving. While I always will always identify myself as an "Armenian", sometimes stepping away from that for a little time can have a healing effect of re-charging the ethnic batteries and giving us a little space to appreciate where we have come from. It also allows me to grow as a person and not be so polarized within our community. Striking that healthy balance between being a citizen of the world and the possessor of an ethnic background is key for me.
Till next time...
posted by Raffi at 9:27 AM
2 Comments:
One of the Songs of Los Armenios has been named SPIURKASDAN, I loved what you think about the Diaspora...We are like eagles...waiting...
Hey Raff, enjoyed all of the post, Armenian themed and otherwise - so don't hold back!
Having been to Western Armenia, I can say there is this weird feeling that never leaves you... knowing that once there was a thriving Armenian community, and that virtually all traces have been destroyed or just simply crumbled, and that these throngs of people, just 90 years later have probably never heard a word of Armenian in their lives. The vast vast lands, valleys as large as the Ararat plain, one after another... it's mind boggling.
I was reading about the Iroquois the other day, and the intricate non-cash economy they had... it was fascinating. It just can't seem to survive next to a cash economy though, it was holistic. So sad to have lost it in its entirety, so sad it doesn't still have a place in this world.
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