I didn't expect to enjoy Albuquerque as much as I did, but I did. While the city itself wasn't that impressive to me, it was my experience walking through it that really made my trip. For one, I had a really awesome walking partner-- my roommate, whose adventurous attitude took us to all different parts of the city that I'm sure, even some locals don't ever walk through. Our first walking adventure (chronicled in the previous post) took us through some nice neighborhoods, with nice adobe homes, parks, and a general air of suburban calm. Our second walking adventure, the goal (more of a joke) of which was to reach the Rio Grande, was quite the opposite.
It's amazing how the simple act of walking can reveal so much about a city. I've always said that the best way to explore any place is to walk through it. Only then will you actually take the time to pace yourself and enjoy your surroundings. If you're lucky enough, you'll discover some hidden gem or interesting sight that would have been missed if you had driven through the city. On this walking tour toward the Rio Grande, we got lost more than a few times and walked through some "questionable" areas. And even though my ankles ached throughout (damn my inadequate shoes), I wouldn't have traded it for any other experience.
How else would I have seen the Rio Grande?! Sure, it was DRY and we had to walk through a sort of creepy bike trail in the dark to get there, but it was a joke between us that actually came true. Proves that if you approach the most far-off goals with persistence and most importantly, good humor, you'll achieve it and get a good laugh out of it too.
Our walking tour also led us to walk through the lower-income neighborhoods of Albuquerque, under freeway underpasses, and desolate streets. These parts of town, I'm sure, probably aren't recommended evening walking destinations for two females, but you know, it really confirmed that fears of these areas of towns are really misplaced. Because, not once, did I feel unsafe (only a little creeped out, but that's attributed to my fear of the supernatural). It's like when people express fears of East Side San Jose. Uggh. Annoys me so much. Why, because there's colored people?! Alert the police! Poor minorities live in the area! I'm scared they'll harass me! Hate that sentiment. These communities are a lot safer than people give credit. Anyways...end rant and back on-topic. Walking!
Walking took us through the Old Town of Albuquerque. The one interesting thing there was this 18th-century church. I love the gloomy night sky. Gives this image a sense of foreboding.
An intrinsic part of walking (and travel in general) is getting lost, of which we did plenty of. But that's the beauty of travel--to get lost and wander. If we hadn't got lost on our walking tour, I wouldn't have even known that there's a sort of Little Vietnam in Albuquerque.
Sure, it was isolated to about a 2 block radius, but it was neat to see Vietnamese coffee shops (yes, with the blacked out windows), noodle restaurants, and even an Asian supermarket. Who knew that Vietnamese people settled in New Mexico?
I definitely would not have seen all I have seen if it were not for walking. My trip would have been quite lame and my judgment of Albuquerque unfair if I not had taken the opportunity to walk around. It was by walking through Albuquerque that I learned to appreciate it for what it is. It's definitely not the type of city I would enjoy living in, but discovering this was the adventure in itself.
It's amazing how the simple act of walking can reveal so much about a city. I've always said that the best way to explore any place is to walk through it. Only then will you actually take the time to pace yourself and enjoy your surroundings. If you're lucky enough, you'll discover some hidden gem or interesting sight that would have been missed if you had driven through the city. On this walking tour toward the Rio Grande, we got lost more than a few times and walked through some "questionable" areas. And even though my ankles ached throughout (damn my inadequate shoes), I wouldn't have traded it for any other experience.
How else would I have seen the Rio Grande?! Sure, it was DRY and we had to walk through a sort of creepy bike trail in the dark to get there, but it was a joke between us that actually came true. Proves that if you approach the most far-off goals with persistence and most importantly, good humor, you'll achieve it and get a good laugh out of it too.
Our walking tour also led us to walk through the lower-income neighborhoods of Albuquerque, under freeway underpasses, and desolate streets. These parts of town, I'm sure, probably aren't recommended evening walking destinations for two females, but you know, it really confirmed that fears of these areas of towns are really misplaced. Because, not once, did I feel unsafe (only a little creeped out, but that's attributed to my fear of the supernatural). It's like when people express fears of East Side San Jose. Uggh. Annoys me so much. Why, because there's colored people?! Alert the police! Poor minorities live in the area! I'm scared they'll harass me! Hate that sentiment. These communities are a lot safer than people give credit. Anyways...end rant and back on-topic. Walking!
Walking took us through the Old Town of Albuquerque. The one interesting thing there was this 18th-century church. I love the gloomy night sky. Gives this image a sense of foreboding.
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| San Felipe de Neri Church |
Sure, it was isolated to about a 2 block radius, but it was neat to see Vietnamese coffee shops (yes, with the blacked out windows), noodle restaurants, and even an Asian supermarket. Who knew that Vietnamese people settled in New Mexico?
I definitely would not have seen all I have seen if it were not for walking. My trip would have been quite lame and my judgment of Albuquerque unfair if I not had taken the opportunity to walk around. It was by walking through Albuquerque that I learned to appreciate it for what it is. It's definitely not the type of city I would enjoy living in, but discovering this was the adventure in itself.
1 comment:
Picture of the church... kind of creepy! ha!
This is why I like to walk aimlessly especially when I travel...
Glad you enjoyed Albuquerque!
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