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Published: March 8th 2006
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Travelling through America, I kind of define each state as a country on it's own as everything is so darn spread out. My time in New Mexico is without a doubt the quickest visit yet, just one day! I didn't really get a chance to explore, but sometimes one event can trigger a quick exodus.
I arrived in Albuquerque at midnight on the bus from El Paso, Texas. In hindsight, perhaps I should have stayed overnight in El Paso but I didn't really get a good vibe there so I kept on moving. Despite having called ahead several times, one particular staff member at the hostel was extremely unaccommodating for a late night arrival. So I ended up touring the central strip for a cheap motel...at midnight.
In the morning I realized that the town of half a million enjoyed sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Annoying when I carried my pack around until deciding on future plans, but at least I found a decent internet cafe! Once my senses were revived with a quality caffeine injection I realized there was no reason for me stick around town. The girl at the hostel had put me off of
her entire state I'm afraid. So I booked my rail ticket towards Flagstaff, Arizona and then cruised back down Route 66 to explore 'Old Town'. I can at least get an eyeful and a good read up of the area before leaving it.
I have to admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the state of New Mexico-what's to know? I've never heard of anything particular from the state, good nor bad. Before embarassing myself too much, I picked up on the error of this view as it seems to be more ethnically and culturally diverse than anywhere else I have been in North America so far. With a history touched by Native Americans, the Spanish, the Mexicans and the Yankees themselves, New Mexico has developed an intertwined quality of life within a naturally beautiful setting. But I'm still not changing plans again to stay longer than the afternoon!
The creatively named 'Old town' (even the directional billboard confirms, "it's darned old and historic"!) is the hotspot for tourists visiting Albuquerque. The shops are filled with colourful blankets, jewelry, chilli peppers and Route 66 memorabilia. I studied various items and noticed the 'made in Guatemala/made in China/made
Drive In Hot Dogs
She must have lost a wheel on her rollerskates and had to resort to foot power waitressing unlike the drivers eating their dogs at the wheel in India' labels. Wanting a piece of the culture I would be unable to obtain once I had left, in a couple of hours, I felt like quite an expert when I carried my 'made in New Mexico' blanket out of the store. The buildings that the shops had stuffed themselves into, emphasized the Spanish adobe style of rounded terracotta coloured walls. It was a perfect surrounding to enjoy my taco lunch and absorb a bit more from the Lonely Planet.
I continued walking around and was overwhelmed by the thunderous roars of Harleys that kept passing me. Although Route 66 was superseded by a modern route many years ago, the idea of cruising America's most famous highway is lived out by many. Murals adorn the side of buildings with low riding bikes, Billy the Kid and horse and carriages all voyaging across the notorious route.
Although I didn't even see the outskirts of town, I absorbed more of the American life in my walk back to the train station. A drive in pharmacy, a drive in bank (although not as big as the 6 lanes in Texas!) and a hot dog drive in. Somehow, I
Route 66 Mural
Hair blowing in the wind followed by horse and buggy in the rear, overlooked by a flying saucer. Everything about Albuquerque seems to stem from Route 66 can't imagine the same features in England, but then who knows, I have been gone for 10 months!
So what would I want to return to New Mexico for? The hot air balloon festival in October looks like a fine sight to see. And then the nearby Sante Fe seems rather swish, providing my wallet could accommodate the high end artistic lifestyle. Even the Route 66 hostel mended wounds when owners Cathy and Paul followed up and dealt with the rude staff member. And it would be wrong to miss 'Truth or Consequences' due to the namesake (yes, that is the town name!!) And then there are the Native American pueblos to discover...and the Rio Grande... the caverns and so on and so on. New Mexico really does have something to show the rest of the world. Like everywhere on this trip, there is so so so much more to see. One day.
For now, it's Arizona and the Grand Canyon for me!!
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Paul and Cathy
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Ellusive New Mexico
Fiona, Sometimes its tough for a small hostel to provide service arround the clock, but we need at least to be polite about it! As for New Mexico, there is much to be discovered here, but it takes work. We have the best varves in the world. Our ancient pueblos are really special, but the inhabitants may be rather secretive, yet friendly ( paraphrase of a pueblo leaders recent comments). Thanks for your brief visit, photos are great!