Friday last, I joined a once a week only tour at a private (mostly Academic) museum in Santa Fe. They collect pots, blankets and baskets which is sort of odd for a museum unless one is trying to trace then make some sense of groups who didn't leave much writing and guard their "oral history" i.e. the "Native Americans" (who weren't so Native).

The pottery is kept in 2 large strictly climate controlled rooms accessed through Mosler Safe Doors much like the Vault in a larger Bank. The collection is spoken of in a time line that begins with "pre-contact" and "post-contact" (of the Invading Spanish Defilers).

The Docent leading the tour made a great deal out of the arrival of the Iberian Looters (aka: the Conquistadores) and stated that "...the Spanish came to New Mexico much as they did to Mexico and South America. They were looking for gold which they had already found throughout the area S. of New Mexico and they had heard rumors of great stores of gold in the North. She noted that the Spanish did not find the gold they were seeking but began to move in and settle around Santa Fe.

After the tour was over, I spoke privately with the Docent and asked her about those stories. In a very serious tone, I asked '....does anyone have the slightest idea of how the stories of gold were spread or where they originated..."

Taking me very seriously, she replied, "...Well, that is an interesting question that we have never been able to get a handle on."

Whereupon, I stated, ".....but you already should know. It is quite obvious to anyone familiar with Santa Fe where the stories had to have originated".

She said, "But I've never heard about that. What do you know?".

And I replied, "But, my dear, its is so obvious. All the Stories about the gold and the riches of Sante Fe and New Mexico were started by the Original Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. And you can see how very successful they have been."

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

Answers

Danke CPR.

Cheers,,,,

Z

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001