Well, sadly my new mexico adventure is over. My last week was awesome. Lots of goodbyes as everyone seemed to be heading off in different directions at the same time! I went for one last hike in the desert on Friday afternoon after I finished work (as you can tell from the pictures), and also celebrated Ray's birthday by watching the SpongeBob Squarepants movie....seems appropriate for a 27th birthday!?My trip home was interesting to say the least. I managed to arrive in Albuquerque WAY too early because I thought I would have to go through customs there. Then my flight was delayed by an hour because the plane flying in was grounded due to lightening stikes on the runway where it was departing from. So I sat around the airport for about 3 hours. Finally got on the way but I was really late for my connection. As I was riding the moving carpet thingy across the airport in Minneapolis I heard "Paging passenger Pamela Aird, your plane is departing in 5 minutes"...so then I ran like a madwoman and I made it just in time. I could barely breathe to tell the counter attendant that I was really sorry, and get ushered on the plane. Then I discovered I was sitting right beside the engine. Loud does not even begin to describe. So once we had taken off I asked to be moved and ended up with a whole exit row to myself!! Score!! The day was looking up! But then...in Toronto Michael's cellphone died so we couldn't find each other. I spent about an hour and a half waiting outside, watching the cars go by looking for him, as he was standing inside waiting for me to come out the doors! Comedy of errors. Oh well, we found each other and had a nice evening catching up on his balcony. And now I'm back in the Hammer!
So here are my final random thoughts and facts on new mexico, the southwest culture, and life in general:
- people honestly have police scanners...and joke about listening for their kids names!
- everyone has yellow ribbons on their cars wishing the soldiers a safe return
- New Mexico is like the southwestern bible belt...there were over 100 churches in the phone book, and not far from where I lived is where they burned the Harry Potter books and Dixie Chicks CDs
- every bit of Mexican food has the same ingredients, all that varies is whether it is rolled, piled, baked or fried
- there was a store on the main street called Larry's Gun Shop, Buy Sell or Trade....enough said
I hope you've enjoyed the New Mexico adventure. Stay tuned next week for Barbados! and if you're really lucky I'll even post something fun about my Hammytown this week :)
Lots of love
Pamela
So it really is possible for two people facing opposite ways on either side of a window not to see each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really surprised that your observations on New Mexico underscored a different culture and view of life.
The news of your desert travels has been really appreciated and anxiously awaited by not only those who have commented but many more readers as well.
We all await pictures of white sandy beaches, palm trees and stories of Carribean adventures.
;-))