New Mexico Dos and Don'ts

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!

The Roswell WalMart is one of the trippiest places I have ever been. If you've ever wondered Who Lives In Roswell, Anyway? you can get a peek at WalMart.

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.

There's not much to do in White Rock.  Best bet for food is probably the local supermarket, which is walkable from the Hampton Inn.

Stay here for a couple of weeks and you will return with a lot of wisdom