Christmas Eve in New Mexico
by kymbanm
Christmas in New Mexico is a blend of so many different cultures. Old town in Albuquerque, and Santa Fe have lumiaria tours.
Luminarias are also known as Ferolitos in norther New Mexico. Luminarias are paper lunch sized bags with sand at the base and a candle placed inside. They are places about the tops of buildings, on curbs, and laid out to make beautiful designs. Though folks may lay them out early, they are meant to be lit on Xmas eve. Since I am not much of a photographer, this picture is the best I could do :)
We also have more traditional holiday lights, but the luminarias are my favorite - beautiful, childlike, yet instilling peace.
Remembering and Honoring the Dead
by AlbuqRay
Kymbanm organized a mini-VT meet at the Dia de los Muerto (Day of the Dead) celebration in Burton Park, Albuquerque. There were musicians, dancers and artists all enjoying the beautiful Fall weather and full moon. Then again, I left before it got totally dark; who knows what happened then! There were food and drink with attendees doing a potluck. We saw Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial art) by the Cordao de Ouro group. There was also a group (maybe Danzantes Aztecas) that did a wonderful, enchanting ceremonial dance to honor the dead. I'll do a Dia de los Muertos travelogue with some of my pictures.
A day trip to the Jemez .....
by kymbanm
I love taking day trips from Albuquerque to the Jemez (pronounced 'Hay-mez' by locals).
Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque is an area called the Jemez Mountains. This place has natural hot springs what EVERYONE dunks into 'au naturale'. Of course, that's not legal ... so if you're caught, you get a ticket and fine ... but that doesn't seem to stop anyone! Well, unless you scope out the 'clothing optional' springs ahead of time that is!!!
While wandering the Jemez, you can stop at roadside native american shops, pull off and wander trails, and stop in the town of Jemez Springs.
The bar, Los Ojos, has a great reputation and is visited by locals, day trippers, and travelers in general. I like to play pool while waiting for my food to arrive :)
One set of ruins in the area is known as Bandalier National Monument. You can climb ladders to enter the areas early Native Americans used to call home. There are many rock formations w/ nooks and crannies, as well as wonderful vistas. Because of fire risks, smoking is discouraged, and open fires are prohibited, but camping is encouraged.
Even if you aren't a walker or wanderer, you can see so much just from your car. I take Hwy 4 from Hwy 528 and decide on my route from there. Every few miles are signs to help guide you. North of the area is Santa Fe, south is Albuquerque - so just follw the signs for the city you are heading towards and you'll be fine.
Good Mexican food and great red and green chile
by dmac733 about Monroe's New Mexican Food
Monroes has great food and good service. Stuffed Sopaipilla or Enchilada plate is good with red or green or both. Also get Sopaipilla and have them with Honey. Yumm!! Burrito and Enchliadas with red and green chile. Sopaipilla with honey.
A New Mexican Must
by ellielou about Los Cuates
Before I begin, I must say that I've never been a big fan of Mexican food. (Of course, NM food is not Mexican, but a class all itself; but, there are similarities....)
However, nothing prepared me for how wonderful Los Cuates is! Very basic, straightforward, unpretentious NM food served in unpretentious surroundings.
Comfortable place, inexpensive, and filled with locals and tourists alike. the sopopillas are addictively out of this world.
Everything I've ever had is good; from the dense salsa they bring you with the chips, to the to go box they offer because there is no way you could finish everything.
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Gratefully Deadicated since 1994!
Don Luis Plaza....where the tour starts
APD Mobile Crime lab and other equipment
Northern NM Wineries
