State capitol

Santa Fe state capitol is the only one where the public are allowed completely free access:no security checks, Bob was allowed to keep his backpack.
It is build in a circle with corridors radiating out at the 4 quadrants.  This is the shape of the State's logo a Zuni symbol.  The galleries, on 3 floors round a cupola, are used as display areas for 500 pieces of art.  We were allowed practically everywhere-even into the governor's outer office.  It seemed strange walking around so freely.  Glimpses into offices showed there are art works even on their walls.  All in all a great,and free,way to spend a couple of hours.

Next stop was a delightful chocolate house.  After some tasting I decided on a "european" blend to drink whilst Bob, as you who know him will not be surprised to hear, tasted all blends and then had 2 blends mixed together!

We spent the rest of the morning strolling through streets, galleries and arcades before lunch in a Mom and Pop diner- all hearty food but portions far too large for us.

In the evening we saw a docu in the local theatre on the revent Leonardo exhibition at the National. Turned out to be a Sky Arts film but it was very informative.  It hit just the right note: not too academic nor to populist.  The theatre was sold out.

Summary of impressions:
Everyone we met was again friendly and helpful, often exceptionally so.  E.G.1. the owner of a small gallery who offered us a bottle of water as we still had 1.5 miles to walk up to the museum complex
2. the lady driver of a minibus on the town's free pick-up and drop service whom we hailed as she was waiting for the train to arrive.  She took us to the other side of town and gave us a tour of the area before dropping us and returning to the station.  She could have said she didn't have time and had to stick to the official route.
3  Motorists waiting  for pedestrians at all junctions!!!
4 the chef who talked us through all the options for lunch and told us about his trips to Europe
5 the receptionist at the hotel who spent 10 minutes telling us his recommendations for places to see on maps he'd p.c'd for us.

It's all so different from Europe.  Here friendliness is people's default setting and it doesn't seem false