New Mexico Travel Guide

Christmas Eve in Albuquerque can be pretty spectacular - if you know where to look.  Take a Luminaria bus tour through my home neighborhoods of Hunning Castle and Old Town - there are plenty on Christmas Eve.  If you don't know a Luminaria (or Farolito, if you're from Santa Fe) is, here's a description that in no way does it justice - brown paper lunchbag filled with sand and a candle that is placed along a sidewalk or road, lit right at dusk on Christmas Eve.  One alone isn't that impressive, but picture hundreds of thousands of them lining the roads around Old Town and you can start to comprehend how awe-inspiring they can be.  You can take the driving rout that a veritable parade of cars and trucks and Harley motorcycles decked out in Christmas lights drive down, or you can get out, walk around and enjoy the festive atmosphere.  Either way, it's an event not to be missed!

If you're popping through while on the road (or here for a solid visit, or living here), be sure to stop off at the Frontier Diner - On I-25 take the Central Ave. Exit heading east (towards the mountains).  From I-40 take the University Ave. Exit, turn left under the freeway, follow University until you hit Central and take a left onto central.  The Frontier has a yellow roof (circa 1970) and is on the righthand side of the road directly across from the University of New Mexico Book Store.  You'll find the best sweet rolls ever, and some hearty mexican food.  I recommend the chicken enchiladas, and be sure to get their fresh tortillas.  The Frontier generally inexpensive and is open 24 hours a day, which makes it fantastic for the Balloon Fiesta. 

  In New Mexico, the "State Question" is "Red or Green?"  This is in reference to what type of salsa you want with your order in a Mexican restaurant.  Neither is always hotter than the other, it depends on what chilies they use in making the salsa so if it's a concern make sure to ask.  So there, now you know, and you'll be saved from making the tell-tale confused look that gives you away as a newcomer to the Land of Enchantment.