Driving to the airport this morning was pretty surreal. Unlike the early morning drive to the park and ride for the Balloon Fiesta, there was virtually no one on the road today. Maybe it's the cold, maybe it's that people are already taking days off for the holidays. Whatever it is, driving around on empty streets in Albuquerque is surreal.

And I don't mean surreal like "everything's in a fog and mysterious" surreal, more like superreal. You can actually see the houses and businesses that you pass by everyday and never notice. You see how the street lights illuminate forgotten buildings and corners. You pass by all the buses as they're getting ready to head out for the day, all lined up with their lights on and their destinations scrolling by on the fronts. And then you see the signs and light boards that are on all night, and wonder who they're actually advertising to at this hour.

Five thirty in the morning is an interesting time to gaze upon sleepy Albuquerque. Maybe one day I'll get up just to take early morning pictures and watch as the city awakes.