Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Albuquerque? I drove through there once..." We have always been a crossroads for travellers. First used as a trading post by the Spanish explorers, Albuquerque later became a stop on the Santa Fe trail. 1880 and the railway brought Eastern people through on the way to California; Route 66, the dustbowl, and the 20th century brought even more. But most important of all, 1973 and the turquoise boom brought my dad through-- only he met a beautiful brunette and decided to stick around-- and I am very grateful he did.

There are so many things to love about my home. Nestled between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River, Albuquerque has all of the wonders of a mountain desert landscape. The magic starts as the sun sets in the west, blushing the granite cliffs of the Sandia range crimson and rose. The Spanish named the mountain "watermelon" for that very reason. The cliffs also boast the world's longest areal Tramway, taking visitors up 6,000 feet to view an 11,000 square mile panoramic view of the "Land of Enchantment." The daring can hike up the La Luz trail to the top, all 10,378 feet, and take the Tram down. That is my favorite route, although not recommended for wimps. It's a killer hike that starts out as rocky, sagey, prickley desert, but after a while changes to pine forests and granite canyons and cliffs, and when the exhausted finally reach the top and look out at the floor of the valley- unimaginable beauty.

You know it's fall in New Mexico when you walk outside and smell it...roasting chile. Grocery stores and markets around the city roast chile for weeks to keep Albuquerquians warm for the long winter. New Mexico's official question is "Red or Green?", and it's a valid one. We eat chile on almost everything. Green Chile is the specialty, and its flavor can't be found anywhere else in the world. New Mexican food is wonderful. Anyone who visits New Mexico cannot leave without having a Sopapilla stuffed with beans, cheese, and chicken or beef smothered in green chile. A fair warning for the beginner; most batches of green chile are pretty mild, but some are really spicy, so if you can' take the heat, be sure to ask first! One of the restaurants in town boasts "chile so hot it makes your ice water!"

Early October boasts another treasure in Albuquerque-- The International Balloon Fiesta. I have many memories of walking to school on fall days with literally thousands of hot air balloons dotting the clear blue sky above my head. As a child, my elementary school had a large playground that was often used it as a landing ground during the Fiesta. The hot air balloons that looked so small to us while high in the sky would suddenly billow large above our heads, and the roar of the hot air blower would ring in our ears as they landed the balloon. With our hearts pumping excitement, we would eagerly rush the basket to welcome the balloonist and crew as they touched down. Part of the magic of the festival is being able to see the balloons up close. A family tradition in our home is to wake up early, 4 am, and drive to the balloon grounds to watch the balloons prepare their assent. There is nothing in the world like seeing the different colors, shapes and creatures glow and come to life in the early morning dawn. ( Well, except maybe a green chile burrito.)

Albuquerque isn't just a hard word to spell at a spelling bee. It is a living, breathing, place- full of history, culture, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful people. Next time your driving through, stop for a while- even if only to savor a little green chile, you won't be disappointed.

Alyssa B

Submitted: Wednesday 4th February 2004, 1:07 AM

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