You probably already know this but living in New Mexico is simply divine. Beautiful scenery combined with delicious food, a rich cultural history, and awesome people make life in the Land of Enchantment, well, enchanting.
If you were ever forced to leave the state, however, you might find some habits a bit hard to shake, especially if you’re a lifelong resident. In fact, you’ll find New Mexicans:
- Always feel grateful for any amount of rain.
Dave Hensley/Flickr There’s something particularly thrilling about watching the rain clouds darken and swell in the sky.
- Decorate for Christmas with an evenly spaced line of luminarias.
Larry Lamsa/Flickr Twinkling string lights are cute but this long-time tradition will always feel right.
- Understand the meaning behind plates of tamales and biscochitos.
Megan Eaves/Flickr In case you didn’t know, this means the holidays have arrived!
- Will never say no to the local tamale or burrito vendor in a parking lot or on the roadside.
Lynn Friedman/Flickr
- Know the critical difference between “chile” and “chili.”
Stephen Bugno/Flickr That one vowel will make all the difference in the world when you ask for it with your meal.
- Know there’s a notable difference between Mexican and New Mexican dishes.
Jimmy Emerson DVM/Flickr It’s also pretty different from the variations you’ll find in our neighboring states, Arizona and Texas, serving.
- Add chile to just about any dish, no matter how strange it may seem.
C.C. Chapman/Flickr Hmm, needs more chile.
- Will salivate at the smell of chile roasting in the streets in late summer or early fall.
Michele/Flickr Oh, man, there’s no smell quite like this!
- Also, there’s a likelihood you’ll find New Mexicans start to get a bit antsy when chile stashes run low.
Food Group/Flickr Hopefully, you planned ahead to avoid this!
What are some other lifelong habits you would add to this list?
Dave Hensley/Flickr
There’s something particularly thrilling about watching the rain clouds darken and swell in the sky.
Larry Lamsa/Flickr
Twinkling string lights are cute but this long-time tradition will always feel right.
Megan Eaves/Flickr
In case you didn’t know, this means the holidays have arrived!
Lynn Friedman/Flickr
Stephen Bugno/Flickr
That one vowel will make all the difference in the world when you ask for it with your meal.
Jimmy Emerson DVM/Flickr
It’s also pretty different from the variations you’ll find in our neighboring states, Arizona and Texas, serving.
C.C. Chapman/Flickr
Hmm, needs more chile.
Michele/Flickr
Oh, man, there’s no smell quite like this!
Food Group/Flickr
Hopefully, you planned ahead to avoid this!
If you want to read about other ways life in New Mexico is absolutely perfect, then you’ll want to read The 12 Best Decisions You Can Make In New Mexico.
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