Meet Leona and her sister. Leona owns the business. Chimayo is a pilgrimage site. She has been selling mexican food from her roadside stand since 1977. We were the only customers on this cold November day and she was in the mood for chatting. I heard about her granddaughter who is a basketball star in college in California and saw all the team photos to prove it. Although it was a slow day, her staff (which consists of her family members) were canning and packaging chili sauce to send around the country. Leona is a shrewd business woman and has done well. I was grateful for a warm sunny corner and a burrito wrapped in a corn husk.
The Sanctuario de Chimayo is next door, called the Lourdes of America. A sweet little church. People come here to be healed and collect the dirt that is said to have healing qualities. I like to sit in the dim church and look at the figures on the painted wooden altar screens in the glow of the glittering candles and yes, say a prayer for all who need healing.
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