Writers from D.H. Lawrence to the present have spent many years describing the area around Taos and what makes it so special. The ambiance has attracted artists of all types for over a century, and for the long time inhabitants, whose ancestors came from Spain or the Indians who were already there, feel a very strong sense of place. The physical beauty is evident as soon as you round the bend on Highway 68 driving north from Santa Fe. The wide valley is nestled against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The art, architecture, and outdoor activities attract many tourists: skiers, weekend artists taking courses, as well as campers and hikers. Some return to live but are faced with the challenge of making a living in a place without many jobs. Beautiful places tend to mask certain kinds of problems. The people I met loved Taos but worried about the poverty, crime, drugs, and cost of housing. Wealthy newcomers have driven up the price of houses and rentals, but not as severely as in Santa Fe. Many of the people I spoke with had been here for many years but felt the divisions among the three groups: Latinos, Taos Indians, and the so-called Anglos. Jean Kenin a CSO who worked with Taos Talking Pictures and who arrived in the 1970's said, "I've lived here for decades, and I've raised my kids here, but I can't be part of the community which is Spanish and Catholic. My kids feel more at home here." Projects in the past have tried to bring these groups together, and MIRA was no exception.