If there is one thing to say about Albuquerque, NM, it’s probably that it is the place to go if you are trying to slow down. Daniel and I could not possibly have had a more relaxing place to celebrate the holiday season. Ever since the Anglo-Americans explored the Southwest, people with bad health and high stress levels have been flocking here for a little bit of R&R (rest and recovery, respite and relaxtion – your choice, they all work here) and I can totally see why. Back home in east coast cities, I would have been shocked to not find a restaurant open on Christmas Day. And retail stores not open the day afterwards? Forget about it! Here in Albuquerque, though, if it’s going to be a holiday then it’s going to be one for everyone.
The one thing that was open on Christmas day here in town was the movie theater. That wasn’t really surprising, though, considering going to a Christmas day movie has become a nationwide tradition. Daniel and I decided to make it our own this year and we headed out in the afternoon to see Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. We were both really impressed with the movie. I was already a huge fan of the character from reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books but even if you weren’t a fan, it would have been impossible to resist the charm of Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. Even though we didn’t have any family to celebrate the day with, we felt their love from all the way back in Virginia through phone calls and cards. It was a splendid Christmas here in New Mexico.
The following week was a pretty lazy one for us, filled with writing, painting, and movie watching. Albuquerque was pretty much a ghost town, with people still gone for the holidays and shops perpetually closed down. We took this time to wander the streets, take in the beautiful Albuquerque mural work and ride our bikes until we got flat tires. One of the great things about this city is that historic Route 66 cuts right through the middle of it. There are unique stores and restaurants that line both sides of it as it travels through the city and, even if you don’t go inside any, you can still have a fulfilling day just by checking out the cool signs and neon lights.
When New Year’s Eve came around, we decided to try something a little different than going to a bar, which you can do anywhere! Our new friend Monique invited us to join her at an awesome, modern Asian restaurant on Central Ave (aka Route 66) and then attend a New Year’s Eve showing of Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. Wasn’t that movie made in 1983, you might ask? Well it was, but this cool little low-price theater, The Guild, smartly picked it to be its one movie for the night. We not only really like Monty Python, but we also went because we love unique, small town theaters (for all you Richmonders, we miss the Byrd!). The Guild definitely fits that description with its outdoor ticket kiosk and one room theater. It also mainly shows older films, artistic films, or even subject films (for example, they have one coming up about feminism in art). We absolutely love theaters that stray from the mainstream! All in all, it was a lovely and successful New Years Eve for us.
We have about one week left in New Mexico before we head to either Phoenix or San Diego and one of the last things we plan to do is head to some hot springs with our friends Emmy and Christina. Neither Daniel nor I have ever been to them and we think it will be an even cooler experience with snow all around. We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and that 2012 will bring you all everything you wish for and more. Good health to all!
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