Nothing to write home about...

As much as I love home I always have the itch to get out of town. Whether I travel to another state or venture to another country it's almost mandatory for my sanity to get out of LA. With such a busy Summer schedule I'm not at liberty to go far so I had this grand scheme to discover the states. Yet, where would I go? Chicago? Perhaps Miami again? Or maybe Denver? No... None of the above. I decided to discover New Mexico.

Believe me, there wasn't much to discover. Yet, I was told that New Mexico was beautiful and full of Native American Culture. I heard that it was also known for great day spas, casinos, & hot air ballon rides. Well, I'm always down for a day of being pampered and an adventure, so I asked the only people that I thought would be willing to go out on a limb and experience good old Albequerque. The next thing you know we boarded a plane, gave LA two fingers like a player, and hours later arrived in New Mexico.

After we got our car rental equiped with the Neverlost GPS, which I named the talking voice "Claire," we ended up in downtown Albequerque. This wasn't the downtown that I was expecting. I immediately felt that we weren't in LA anymore and wished I left my Louis bag at home. In every store there were Native American artifacts that everyone claimed to be one of a kind. Yet, I could find the same turquoise jewelery at the Walgreens down the street. Needless to say the shopping was less than desireable and I hardly gave my credit card any exercise.

Now, we were expecting great Tex Mex food in New Mexico but all I got was canned green chili's in every meal. Every eatery that was recommended by the locals was less than average. In LA we have grades posted in the windows to warn you about that type of food. Unfortunately, both my friends ended up getting food poisoning or some type of stomach flu the second day in. After that it was a wrap for me. I was in the grocery store buying pepto and saltines for my friend and packgaed "safe" food for the trip back. Needless to say I didn't have an opportunity to go to the spa and the new HardRock Casino was nothing to brag about. Vegas has got the Casino/Nightlife game on point. Sorry New Mex.

Fortunately, I can usually make Lemon Drops out of lemons and managed to have some fun doing Dairy Queen runs, taking pictures, and talking to the locals who are by far some of the nicest people that haven't been jaded by big city life. I also enjoyed Happy Hour with $2 stawberry vodka martini's. They get an A+ for the drink specials. The hot air balloon ride was memorable and an experience in itself, but the highlight of my trip was the ride home. Albequerque New Mexico was really nothing to write home about.

So I made it back in one piece without getting sick. Back to LA traffic, real Mexican food, and industry folk. But hey, It's home... Next trip, Trinidad perhaps? Whose with me?

Hearts and Hugs

Januari