Open Your Heart to ABQ

Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Posted by LC on April 10, 2008 at 5:09pm

So, warning, I'm writing this blog while bopping along to Madonna's Open Your Heart to Me. Love this song, by the way. Well, I gotta tell everyone who reads this that I truly love Albuquerque. It's like an old friend or an always-there-for-me boyfriend that I take for granted and then one day I have this realization that I really do love that person and I would never want them to go away no matter how much I get annoyed with them. Why the lovefest for ABQ? Just took a trip to Chicago for a business conference/mini vacation. First time to Chicago and I have to say I really enjoyed myself. What a cool city. But, my trip there made me giddy for Albuquerque when I came back. I'm not quite sure why. Chicago was a lot of fun. Tons of shopping, bars/restaurants, parks, the Lake, the constant buzz of city life... There is always something to do. I get back to Albuqueruqe and it's like I took this huge new breath of fresh air when I stepped out of the Sunport. I wanted to hug the Sandias like they were my grandpa, chuckling along with every story I tell him of my trip to Chicago. I wanted to walk downtown to Microbar and grab a Sleeping Dog Stout and sit with my fellow locals. I wanted to get a pizza with green chile on it, even though I liked the Chicago deep dish, but try a blue corn crust pizza with green chile from the Golden Crown Panaderia. Now that's what I call a New Mexico style pizza. There's no place like home. That's right. I see what Dorothy was saying with that line. Sure, Chicago is all technicolor compared to Albuquerque, according to some folks, but that doesn't really fly because the sunsets here are amazing. Just look to the sky if you want technicolor. Who knows how long these warm fuzzy feelings will last. ABQ might do something soon to piss me off or annoy me, but I know deep down I love it, no matter what.

Comment by chantal on April 10, 2008 at 5:37pm: Right on! I feel this way about flying home to Albuquerque every time despite being originally from Chicago (now my 2nd love). On my most recent trip, I almost smooched the brick floor outside that kitschy tourist store near Sunport security I was so damn giddy to be home. Deep breath, indeed.

One of my friends here in town heads to Los Cuates every single time he flies back from business. If I were to institute a similar ritual (which I haven't yet), it'd probably be mandatory phở upon reentry.

Comment by Ozyman666 on April 10, 2008 at 6:24pm: Just a little suggestion ... paragraphs are your friend, especially with blue on blue type.

Comment by Juan on April 10, 2008 at 6:30pm: I third these comments, have been in Pittsburgh and Memphis these past two months and despite having a great time in both of these cities, I started longing for Burque towards the end of each trip and felt very refreshed upon arrival back into the good ol' A B Q.

Comment by brendisimo on April 10, 2008 at 6:58pm: Great post. I feel the same way coming home too. The sky is so big, the food so tasty and the people (for the most part) are easy going. Of course I miss the ocean from time to time, and the "buzz" of big-city life, but there is something really unique about this place. You have to live here and get involved in it before you truly feel it, just blowing through here would give most people the wrong impression. But it stands alone when compared to most cities, magical might be the right word...

Comment by Don Pizzolato on April 10, 2008 at 7:08pm: The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Comment by Sarah Anonymous on April 10, 2008 at 7:49pm: I remember flying in (from Chicago actually) and the guy using flags to wave the plane in to the gate was wearing cutoffs and flip-flops. I was soooooo happy to be home. Hanging out with friends on the back porch, and our proximity to Mexico and the Pan American highway- priceless!

Comment by Doc Mara on April 10, 2008 at 8:26pm: You make me weep.

Comment by Nora on April 10, 2008 at 9:22pm: An friend going to school in Ohio tells me she feels like she can breathe better here because you can see the sky.

Comment by Laura on April 10, 2008 at 10:51pm: I feel that same way whenever flying home to Abq. I get all excited as the plane approaches for landing and I love peering out the window, checking out the greenbelt of the river and looking for streets I can recognize. I'm sure I annoy the people seated near me because I totally get all giddy. I also love strutting through the Sunport, feeling like I'm home, home, home. And then, to step outside and feel the desert air...I love it. And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.

Comment by Jay on April 11, 2008 at 4:53am: I totally agree. I love that feeling of seeing the Sandias as we approach by plane. Then, walking out of the plane and seeing our great and unique airport, and finally getting into my car, driving, and seeing the big blue skies with mountains in almost every direction. Although I've traveled to lots of great places, there's nothing like the comforts of breakfast burritos, green chile cheeseburgers, and experiencing our great outdoors.