Siesta time in la Mesilla

La Mesilla is beautiful anytime of day, but viewing the historic neighborhood during siesta, is both peaceful and charming. This adobe village hosted wild west icons like Poncho Villa and Billy the kid, in it's heyday. La Mesilla formed as a result of shifting borders between the U.S. and Mexico. This little village was, for a period, the capital of Confederate Arizona and after the Civil War it became the capital of the military district of Arizona. This town has serious history packed in the few blocks, each side of the town square.
   "If walls could talk" is an old saying, but imagine if these 2 and 3 foot think adobe walls could talk? I am sure the stories would be amazing, for the loves, tensions, happiness and fears these walls contain, would be breathtaking tales, if ever revealed. Strolling these historic streets, essentially alone, during an afternoon siesta reminded me of Argentina. There is something admirable when a town shutters it's doors to enjoy peace, where rest and recharge are taken seriously.
   As a tourist town, I find la Mesilla more authentic then Santa Fe and definitely much smaller and cheaper. Both places have their charm and as we have discovered throughout New Mexico; the southwest of legends exists in the cuisine, traditions, buildings, and timeless pueblos of this land.

Siestas hide behind inviting doors

Similar feeling to Santa Fe but more quaint.

Pottery and wine a great combination.

Residences with so much charm.

Most of the original town center was constructed around 1850.

Adobe homes have so much character.

Chile Ristras hang in many New Mexican windows. They are said to bring luck and good health. They can be either decorative and covered in lacquer or edible and left alone to dry in the heat. 

Catholic church of San Albino.

Romantic buildings and redbrick sidewalks surround the town square.

The town gazebo.

Some of the characters of town history painted on the doors.

Archways welcome strangers to homes and businesses.

Remnants from an older home which has since collapsed but the walls were salvaged and restored.

A bumper crop of cactus pears.