We had our first Unsilent Night in Santa Fe today. It was a very cold and windy day after a snowy night, and we had a small turnout - what happened to you cowards who signed up? But, we had about 30 hardy people, including many participating elders as well as kids, and a reporter and photographer from the ABQ Journal who walked the whole route and really enjoyed it.
We started on the Plaza at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, competing with a Mariachi band playing across the street under the portal. Walked past St. Francis Cathedral, the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Museum of New Mexico, City Hall, back through the Plaza, and down to Water Street. Through the municipal parking garage (sounded great in there), and back up San Francisco Street, under the portals, to the Plaza - with perfect timing where we put the boxes on the floor of the gazebo bandstand for the last 4 minutes.
Reactions of the unexpecting audience varied - a lot of people coming out of shops acting as though they noticed nothing, somehow not wanting to be “caught”. We disarmed many with greetings of happy holidays. Homeless guy with the dog on Water Street, grinning ear to ear. We warmed up the streets for the later traditional procession of La Posada, which will start at the Cathedral. Everyone loved Phil’s music. Mexican hot chocolate afterwards. Next year, we hope for a warmer day and a later start.
- John Kennedy