T A O S   P U E B L O ,   N E W   M E X I C O

Friday, November 19, 2004

Community: #14

Governors Office: 120 Veterans Highway, Taos, New Mexico 87571

Phone: (575) 758-1028

Link: Official Website

Population: 4,500 (2010 U.S. Census)

Rating:

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My tour of Taos Pueblo starts off unceremoniously, I'm greeted by an older woman from this simple registration booth. I'm assessed two charges, one covers my admission and the other is a small fee for bringing my camera into the Pueblo.

After paying my admission I'm handed this pamphlet. It does a good job of summarizing Taos Pueblo and provides me with a handy tour map of the community. I'm told the next tour starts in 10 minutes.

To pass the time, I just mill around the church, waiting for the tour to start. While waiting I notice two men cleaning up around the church. I've been told I'm not supposed to take pictures of the tribal members without their permission. Something about taking a piece of their soul, that's what they believe happens when you capture their image. So, out of respect, I refrain from taking any pictures of the workmen.

My pamphlet says approximately 3,000 tribal members live on the reservation. Wow, the larger adobes are 1,000 years old, the smaller adobes are between 300 to 800 years old. Another fact, 75% of the money coming into the Pueblo is generated from tourism.