1 minute read
Historical Diction
Christian Saiia tells the tales over walks, coffee or both
Though hobbyist historian Christian Saiia was forced into an early retirement from his executive position with Comcast after a health scare left him legally blind, he’s made the most of his days in recent years by diving deep into Santa Fe history.
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Saiia, who originally hails from Buffalo, New York, has called the city home since 2006 following a decades-long stint in Colorado. And though most retirees seem to phase into, shall we say, less busy existences, Saiia has transformed his love of history into a pair of ongoing events dubbed Coffee with a Historian and Afternoons with Christian. The difference between his tours and talks and other local options, Saiia says, centers on how he relates the broader global stage, particularly Europe, to Santa Fe’s evolution.
“I’m a ravenous reader,” Saiia says of his pursuit of historical knowledge. “I did take history classes in college at the University of Colorado, but it was mostly the classics; that kind of got me into the state of mind, but I have a sticky memory, too.”
For Coffee and Conversation, Saiia holds court at downtown’s 35 Degrees North coffeeshop. It’s a low-pressure conversation he hosts each Wednesday for any and all takers. Though free, tips are gladly welcomed and you’re sure to leave with information you didn’t have before. At the more ambulatory Afternoons with Christian (which you can book at afternoonswithchristian.com and starting at $35 per person), find a more rigorous experience, with Saiia playing tour guide downtown and spreading knowledge on things like colonization, the Pueblo Revolt and key players in New Mexico’s contributions to America’s greater histories. A lot has happened here, and Saiia’s got the inside scoop in a way even the most ardent local knowitall can enjoy.
“You can always pick up a tour in the lobby of La Fonda, there are people who do that every day,” Saiia tells SFR. “My thing is that Santa Fe has been involved with not only the development of the US, but the world—for literally thousands of years. It’s really cool once you start to connect the dots.” (Alex
De Vore)
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTIAN Noon-2 pm Wednesday, May 24 35 Degrees North 60 E San Francisco St., (505) 629-3538
