The rugged landscape of the
southwest is noticeably dry, abundant in red soil, rocky sandstone formations,
desert grasses, cacti and sagebrush. It is a place where time would not be
measured by the ticking of a clock, but by how much fun we could fit into discovering
and exploring during the week around Albuquerque. We hadn't planned on taking a
walking tour but we found ourselves in Old Town without other plans and we were
really glad this was what we choose to do. 
Our guide Pat regaled the two of us with non-stop stories giving us a taste about the colorful history of the area.
We learn lots about NM becoming the 47th state of the USA, the
flooding of the Rio Grande that destroyed the original pueblo area, the
repueblo-ization of Old Town, the meaning of the zia symbol on the NM flag, why
Texas is frowned upon by NM, and much more. Walking in the historic
section of Old Town, ancient Indian and Spanish cultures indeed come to life
through the old church, quaint shops and piazzas, winding brick paths and adobe
benches.
We could easily have spent a whole day making way through more than 100 stores, boutiques and galleries that sell Southwestern goods, but shopping wasn’t our intent. The goal was to experience ABQ in the best way possible.
Tasting authentic Mexican cuisine with red and green chili hot sauce became an
experience not to miss. Dried chilies hung about as decor most everywhere.
Inside the San Felipe de Neri Church we spoke with an elderly Indian parishioner who had grown up in the Old Town pueblo. He toured us outside in the church’s new fiesta courtyard not open to the public, showed us the remains still standing of a fallen tree with a carving of the Blessed Mary, and shared even more interesting stories about the old town pueblo’s history. Senor Romero lives alone with a dog, two cats, a rattlesnake, scorpion, and tarantula which all roam freely in his house.
An ABQ Trolley Ride owned by two young guys became like the best tour ever to get to know all that the city had to offer. They covered thirteen miles throughout various neighbors pointing out cool stuff and places to see.
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| A Space Ship House |
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| Getting Our Kicks on Route 66 through town |
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center offered a glimpse of
old Indian customs, art. and cultural life in the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. 
It was a good place to see objects of different mediums such as jewelry, textiles, baskets, photographs, prints, paintings, and murals to archaeological objects. There was pottery in all its various forms, both contemporary and historic, from the black-on-black bowls, jars and vases of the San Ildefonso Pueblo to the fine-line black-on-white jars of Acoma and Zuni Pueblos. Several Indian youngsters did a dance demonstration there as well.
The Petroglyph National Monument with its four different
desert canyon choices became a worthwhile place to hike and explore. Along Rinconada Canyon we hiked on a sandy desert trail near volcanic
rocks beneath the cliffs scanting for ancient "graffiti" drawings. The desert purple scorpion
and white spectacular pod spring wildflowers happen to be in full bloom.
The main reason bringing us to Albuquerque has
been to attend the Gathering of the Nations 2012 International Event. For two
full days we’ve been able to enjoy some 3,000 Native American people
representing their tribes come together to sing, dance, and play drums in
competition and celebration.
Obviously we’ve been off to a great start in the
southwest with more great adventures still to come.
