First, let’s get over paying for parking. I have been to hundreds of parks in the US, and even with a parks pass I have sometimes been forced to pay for parking. And those are national park units that receive annual funding from the federal government. Taos Pueblo receives neither rangers nor annual funding to provide parking or guided tours for visiting tourists. It is a privilege to visit. Pay to park, and thank the parking attendant.

Second, let’s step back and recognize what an extraordinarily special opportunity your visit represents. Over 500 years before Coronado visited or St Augustine Florida was founded, thIs pueblo was here. 1000 years ago, the Puebloan people were building multifamily dwellings, participating in religious ceremonies and trading with other communities. So, pay attention to the dwellings, the native religious elements and buy something local. There are precious few places on earth with such long, intact and continuing cultural traditions to experience first hand, speaking with the people who have lived here for so long, who continue to thrive, despite others‘ lack of understanding or support.

Third, let’s try to step outside our modern US-Eurocentric cultural boundaries and overcome some stereotypical misconceptions. Taos Pueblo is not important due to Georgia O’Keefe or DH Lawrence, who came here in the 20th century. This community is far older than Jamestowne or Plimoth. The church is new, dating back only 175 years. The ruins of the old church next door date back to the 17th century, so it was also relatively new. By the way, the US military committed a war crime when they leveled the old church with artillery in 1847, ignoring centuries of western tradition and laws recognizing such sanctuaries. Yes, there were some Mexican and native rebels hiding there, but no, that does not excuse killing all the native civilians inside too. As was common during the long US War on Native America, the ’battle’ was almost entirely one-sided. And yet, Taos Puebloans served the US in WWII. So, let’s show some humility and respect.

When the buildings here were first being built, the Islamic World had the world’s largest city and most advanced math and science. The Vikings had just reached North America to establish a temporary camp in Newfoundland. The Silk Road traded goods between the Song Dynasty and the Byzantine Empire. Europe was emerging from the Dark Ages. While this Puebloan mountain community was far removed from all of that, it was the intersection of ancient trade routes and over the centuries they traded Macaws with the Toltecs, then the Aztecs and with Mesa Verde more locally. They outlasted Chaco. And they are still here today, to welcome you, to educate you and to share their homemade fry-bread and piñon coffee.

This is one of the best cultural sites in the world, despite its dusty old appearance, and it is not to be underestimated.