Albuquerque, New Mexico - a visit with more visiting

The pets got tired of me sitting, so they encouraged me to go out in the yard and run around.

San Felipe de Neri church, built 1793. Don't expect to learn anything else in this blog.

I had never properly strolled Old Town Albuquerque, but now I can't say that anymore.

It's why I didn't see it the first time.

Papel picado ("peckered paper," Peter).

Joy and I have been friends since we were 14! That's almost twenty years! We're not so much young Turks anymore as we are young Turkish coffee-drinkers.

I've been enjoying Mike's blog (he lives in Eggbert, his trusty Geo Metro steed), and supplemental correspondence for a while. He was hanging around western Albuquerque, and so we met for coffee and unnecessary calories at Flying Star. He's a bigger introvert than I am! Still, he gave me more than my allotted sixty minutes of fun conversation and interesting ideas.

Wahnfried der Nomad, with Eggbert

I'm back again in Truth or Consequences, which holds more and more attraction for me.

I hadda turn left at Albuquoiky - Albuquerque, New Mexico

If Bugs had traveled earlier this week, he could ONLY have turned left at Albuquerque. I-40 east was closed altogether, so my choices were easier than Bugs'. 
I'm petsitting here in New Mexico's largest city; three dogs, two cats, and unnumbered finches are sharing their house with me.

Zip and Zelda

These guys are heelers (Australian cattle dogs), and if they detect me moving (unlikely), they attempt to gather me into a neat bundle. They're very social and sweet, and will choose a tile floor over their beds if it brings them closer to me.

Daisy

Daisy is ... I don't know Daisy's pedigree; she's about 90 pounds of OH MY GOD DON'T JUMP! Very sweet, thinks she's a Chihuahua. Spokesdog for the other two who goad her into climbing the stairs and waking me.

Widget

Widget is Sanskrit for "She Who Punishes Affection." You know that moment when you realize it's time to stop petting? She doesn't have that moment.

Yoda is elusive and camera-shy. An excellent black-and-white specimen.

I haven't taken pictures of the finches, because when I'm inside their aviary, I'm mostly thinking about getting out of their aviary. They're very cute, extraordinarily finchy, with birdlike toileting habits, and I'm just focusing on what they need from me so they can make their next nitrogenous deposit. There is an ingenious dinner theater situation here. The cats can dine (on kibble!), relax, and watch the show. Threatening behavior, like shouting "Show us your thighs, Two-Piece!" is discouraged, but not prohibited. 

I'll enjoy the house and critters for two more days, then I'll be on the loose.

Happy 2016 to you all. I'll be snuggled up here wishing I knew how to work the remote like I did two days ago, and listening to the ball drop in NYC. What will you do to usher out 2015?

Sightseeing by Train!: New Mexico Rail Runner

When animals make graffiti:  

"Who you callin' ... SQUIRREL!!!"

Belen, New Mexico

Right after I told someone there were no frogs in the desert.

Los Lunas, New Mexico

We took the train! I love public transportation, and light rail is exciting! Rio Metro Regional Transit is actually a network of transportation options, the most fun of which is the train from Belen to Santa Fe (and back). $11 bought me a day pass of rail travel. If you're 62+, you'll get that same fun for $8 - all zones, all day. We stopped first in Albuquerque for a 45 minute "layover."

"Hey! There's a discreet ... "

Thanks for being a gigantic buzzkill, Albuquerque.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Next we were off again riding the rails to Santa Fe.

"Urban Accessories" ... a stump ... get it?

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

I wanted to see the Loretto Chapel, and so I did. I had questions, so I played lightning round with the docent.

"How many steps are there?"
"How many years was Jesus on earth?"

"THIRTY-THREE!"

I won that round, and then I asked him about the possibility of Frenchy Rochas building the staircase. Here is his explanation, more or less, give or take, add or take away some words:

Sister Magdalena, of the Sisters of Loretto, was acquainted with Frenchy.
When questioned by the Mother Superior, she claimed not to know the identity of the mysterious carpenter.

Lying is a nun no-no.

Frenchy's obituary credited him with the staircase construction, but no one fact-checks obituaries.

Frenchy did build a staircase for the school.

This blog adds a few more details. 

I only know of one of you who has an opinion, so Betty, you can add the counterpoint.

I have been craving Thai food, and so I was treated to a birthday lunch at Thai Cafe. Yay! Yum!