Albuquerque New Mexico 10, 11 May

We are staying in sunny Old Town Albuquerque, which has many original adobe buildings dating from the 1706. It is a maze of cobbled courtyards and walkways leading to patios and pretty gardens

Welcome to Old Town.

 

The adobe walls are made from mud mixed with straw.

 

 

Some of the abobe walls are charmingly decorated, like this one sprouting flowers.

 

The courtyards are so attractive .

 

 

There was a display of flamenco dancing at the bandstand in the charming plaza in Old Town. Albuquerque is the USA's biggest centre for flamenco.

 

 

A busking mariachi band. Mariachi is regional Mexican music going back to at least the 18th Century.

 

 

The Church Cafe is in the oldest house in the city.

 

 

The Church of San Felipe de Neri was the first building erected in 1706.

 

 

The fountains have not yet been turned on for the summer season as the water freezes over in winter.

 

 

Early evening and tango dancing is happening in the bandstand.

 

 

A painting in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre, run by 19 Indian Pueblo that line the Rio Grande around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

 

 

A traditional kiva fireplace.

 

The Pueblo Indian clay pottery storytellers, passing on traditions to the children.

 

 

The New Mexico Musuem of Natural History and Science.

 

 

Inside they had a special exhibition on Birds of Paradise.

 

 

You could see Route 66 from the bedroom window of our bed and breakfast.

 

 

This is Typical of the old motels along the Route.

 

 

Despite the fact that Route 66 is now a great tourist attraction, many of the motels are closed down and looking very sad.

 

 

The mighty Rio Grande River runs through Albuquerque.

 

 

The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is well worth visiting. A lot of the local art attracted our interest, like this one, Pueblo Women of Taos 1925 Oscar Berminghaus.

 

 

Star Road and White Sun 1920, Ernest L Blumenschein.

 

 

Pueblo Series-Taos 1026, Raymond Jonson.