Anita Otilia Rodriguez
Taos, NM
Cuando yo estaba creciendo, la vida en Taos era tan diferente, que tal parece que la hubiera soñado, y usted quizás no me creería. Era un bello pueblo de adobe y la plaza que ahora está pavimentada con ladrillo y en dónde no puedes comprar nada necesario si es que eres de Taos, a no ser que quieras un cenicero que tenga escrito Taos encima – la plaza (entonces) era el centro mismo de la comunidad, era su corazón. Era un lugar seguro para personas de todas las edades, hasta tarde en las noches. Era un lugar donde estabas seguro aunque fueras inválido, se te daba de comer. Era un lugar donde todos venían. Allí había algo para todos de cualquier edad en la comunidad.
L ife in Taos was so different when I was growing up it almost seems that I dreamt it, and as if you might not even believe me. It was a beautiful little adobe town and the plaza that is now paved over with brick and where you can't buy anything you need if you are from Taos, unless you want an ashtray that says Taos on it – the plaza (then) was really the whole hub of the community, it was the heart of the community. It was a safe place for people of all ages, till late at night. It was a place where you would be protected (even) if you were disabled, you would be fed. It was a place where everyone came. There was something there for someone of every age in the community.