Remarkable? They were! Part 1

On my first visit to Taos, in the early ‘90’, I was surprised to find an eclectic grand dame, who by the way also lived in Italy, in Fiesole, near Florence, of the caliber of Mabel Dodge Lujan able to adapt to the small rural community of early 20^th century Taos.

So I went back to her home, Los Gallos, many times, on my own and with my clients to whom I couldn’t resist expressing my admiration for this woman. I read her books and heard stories about her, good and less good. But nobody can deny that she practically put New Mexico on the international cultural map and transformed it forever from a frontier to a sophisticated society. Among the many “outrageous” things Mabel did was to marry an Indian from the Taos Pueblo. The marriage lasted until their demise and together they created one of the most vibrant cultural salon that even today has no one like it.

Los Gallos

Mabel and Tony

Northern New Mexico has attracted adventurous spirits for a long time, a couple of centuries at least. It is far and scarcely populated, it is beautiful, it inspires. Artists have been charmed by the light and colors of Northern New Mexico, others for the authenticity of the place. Most visitors didn't know that coming to New Mexico would change their life and make them decide to stay in one of the West’s wildest places.
Many of these visitors were women who came to explore or in search of a more independent way of life, often attracted by the cultural heritage and the connection with nature. A common denominator is the spirituality that this land induces.
What I believe attracted so many extraordinary people is Taos’ authentic spirit of independence, privacy, and creativity that lived outside of mainstream societal boundaries – and lives on today.

More about other remarkable women of Taos coming soon.