A City of Three Cultures: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque Mexico was established as a city in 1706 but there is evidence of a human presence in the area that is over 2,000 years old.
Our day started with a hike up the old volcano basin in Boca Negra which is part of the Petroglyph National Park. The main park was closed due to a shutdown but Boca Negra was open and I was able to take a short hike on some of the trails that surrounded that canyon.
On the way into the city center we went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which is run by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico. It is a gathering place for Native American history, art, and culture. It is also a great place to try some interesting recipes. Denise got a meat stew and I got a fry bread taco, but the show stopper for us were fried koolaid pickles. Yep, you read that right koolaid as in the drink, and yes, they were red. I don’t know if they were all that authentic, but they were very unique.
After visiting the cultural center we went to the city center which following Spanish building patterns is a plaza. Old town Albuquerque is fun place to visit. There are lots of different shops. My favorite shops was one with an entire wall of hot sauce and the American International Rattlesnake Museum. Also of interest was visiting the Candy Lady, where the show Breaking Bad was filmed.
On the way out of New Mexico we got to visit Hatch, New Mexico. Yes, it is named after the Hatch chili that is famous in New Mexico. We also went to Fort Craig that we found out was the location of the western most battle in the US Civil War. Not much are left but a few ruins but it was interesting to see what used to be there.
Border Crossing 1 of 2.
I really liked looking at the manhole covers in Albuquerque.
Onate has a very controversial history in Albuquerque. On the one side he was the founder, on the other side he was a conquistador.
Do you know the difference between a toxin, a poison, and venom? Until I visited the Rattlesnake Museum I thought they were the same thing but they are not.
Instead of a ticket you get a certificate of bravery for visiting the Rattlesnake Museum.
They say you are not supposed to look up but I did anyway.
The Story Teller, Pablita Velarde. Pabilita’s mother died when she was five years old and she was worried she would forget her which led to the idea of forgetting the stories of her ancestors which she made her mission to preserve.
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Zuni, is an excellent example of how the Pueblo nation has intertwined their culture with those of the Western world.
The menu at Pueblo Harvest is excellent. They have a traditional and modern section.
The Pueblo Cultural Center has their own cafe that is open to the public.
At the Hall of Governors you can learn about the chiefs of the 19 tribes that are represented.
Denise had some stew and I had chili verde fry bread. The appetizer was Kool Aid deep fried pickles.
Different traditional dwellings.
The Pueblo nation has an interesting view of themselves.
Found it funny to see a Snow Cone and a Hot Sauce store right next to each other.
My favorite hot sauce is Cholula, which is considered pretty mild on the heat scale.
The Candy Lady was the location for Los Pollos in the TV series Breaking Bad.
Having a historical marker for a city that is over three hundred years old is kind of funny to me.
Hatch is named for the chilis.
Hatch, New Mexico is my kind of town.
Love the modern Pueblo look.
I don’t known about happier but the Rattlesnake Museum is cheaper.
Fried Koolaid pickles.
Fort Craig Ruins.
Fort Craig walls
A map of the filming sites of Breaking Bad
Butterfield Station is the epitome of a tourist trap.
Border Crossing 2 of 2
This display talked about the Pueblo dances.
The ugliest pot in the museum was the oldest pot, but it still had a certain charm to it.
Each of the museum staff picked an artifact and described why it tied them to the museum.
It was a fun trip! I especially liked the Indian Cultural Center & Fort Craig
I’m surprised we haven’t been to the rattlesnake museum. I think it’s probably on Bob’s list now. Thanks a lot. 🙂
Wow, I am shocked you guys don’t have a lifetime membership.