Advance to New Mexico @ 41st Day

I arrived at Albuquerque, New Mexico in the early morning.

Here, Albuquerque is the biggest city in NM.

What are there in Albuquerque??

Umm... I didn't know, neither.

In my guidebook, there is nothing about Albuquerque....

In the morning, I visited travelers' information.

I got a map and interesting information.

This is downtown the city.

Oh, this seems small city... The downtown is only several blocks.

From downtown, I walked to Old Town Plaza.

This place is the original Albuquerque.

Since Mexico occupied Western area, Albuquerque has floulished.

Old Town is small area, but there are a lot of souvenir shops.

I think almost all shops in Albuquerque are gathering here.
 

I sometimes saw Indian Souvenir shops.

The population of Native Indian in the state is more than any other states such as Utah, Colorado and Arizona.

They spread away from New Mexico, I heard from a clerk.

This must be fun, but I couldn't enjoy a lot.

Because many shops are closed, and even opening, I don't have much money to spend.


I heard Albuquerque is famous for balloon.

And there is fun museum in the suburb.

I have to go!!

It took about 2 hours to get there.

If I had a car, it would take only 30 min...

Anyway I arrived the museum.

I knew about balloon history, how to do, and  festival.

In 1978, some people succeeded to fly across Atlantic.

So next is Pacific!

In 1981, this balloon (model) flew from Japan to the US across Pacific Ocean.

They arrived for only 3 days!

How amazing this is!

They have International Balloon Festival in October.

Every year, about 550 balloons come from all over the world.

In this field, now I can see only ground and a mountain over there...

 

But in the season, this field is full of balloons.

This view must be great!!

If you pay $6, you can see this in the field!!

I think I will never come here again...


If I have a chance, I will go to Saga, Japan.

They have also balloon festival.

Let's go to Saga~~



Back to downtown, I walked to look around restaurants.

These days I haven't eaten good food.

Moreover this state is close to Mexico, so I wanna eat Mexican!!

I found No.1 Mexican restaurant,,, but  it are closed for taking film.

I was lucky to see rare scene, but unlucky not to eat...

That's too bad...

Instead of this restaurant, i went to No.2 Mexican restaurant, which is also good!!

After I came to the US, I got to like Mexican~~



Now I am in Greyhound bus terminal in this building.

I will take a night bus again.

Tomorrow I will be in Flagstaff, a town near Grand Canyon