Day 11 – Old Town Albuquerque

We plan to spend the morning and early afternoon doing a walking tour of Old Town Albuquerque.  The last time we were here (many years ago); they had a bank robbery show with the sheriff and bank robbers shooting it out in the street.  Not this time.  Instead on San Felipe Street and under the portal of La Placita Restaurant, there are Native American artisans setting up blankets to sell their jewelry and other things.

Walking around the quaint historic downtown and narrow alleyways, there are many nice places to stop, rest, see and smell the flowers.

Carmen was sitting at a table while I was walking around one of the small shopping squares.  I took this picture of her while I was on the other side of the faux well.

Some of the other alleyways in town; this one was for a café.  There are lots of earth and sky colors around town; here blue is prominent.

There are many of the peppers hanging around town.  This is one of the pepper clusters hanging in front of a shop.

Another of the meeting places that are around town; the one here also has an outdoor fire place.

Albuquerque is on the old route 66.  The Mother Road as it was called back in the 40’s and 50’s.  It continues to conger visions of travel that remains today. 

Iglesia de San Felipe de Neri is a historic Catholic church located in the Old Town Plaza.  The original church was started in 1706.  That church collapsed in 1792 during a very rainy summer.  The church you now see was started in the following year 1793.  The church is constructed in the shape of a cross and constructed of adobe with walls 5 feet thick.

Here we are inside of the church looking towards the front. 

There are many large pots in old town with brightly colored flowers in front of shops and restaurants. 

In the historic heart of the old city, the plaza’s central gazebo has live music and dancing artists.  In this case a number of people were gathered to watch Native American dancers.  This young man’s costume has an impressive array of feathers. 

We came across these Navajo Code Talkers who were having a book signing while we were in town. 

Later we met with everyone traveling with us on this RV trip and had lunch at the Square Café.  The food was very good.  Even Carmen who is not a fan of Mexican styled food found something to eat.  From left to right Rick, Shirley, Dick, Lorraine, Van, Gina, Jennet, Don, Carmen, and finally me.

After lunch we continued our walking tour around town.  Here are more of the peppers, these different sizes and colors.

Some of the dream catchers arrayed in front of one of the shops. 

I always wanted to have one of these for my room.  Wouldn’t this be great in your media room or man cave?

Didn’t I say there were nice flowers all around old town? 

Many of the art studios in old town have outside patios leading to their front door and the art inside.  The artistic arrangement of these areas is just as nice to look at.

We finished our walking tour with a picture of one of the small alleyways that we have passed.  As you can see there are many plantings and seats.  Many of the walkways around town have been like this.  Some wider and with a musician or two.  

We are now heading back to the campground as we plan on getting an early start.  Tomorrow we are going to the Petroglyph national Monument.