ALBUQUERQUE AND THE FLYING STAR CAFE

(sigh)

You know, I've written about Albuquerque several times on southernsighs1, primarily because there's so much to write about and also because I love it out there. I have friends who were assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base in the seventies, and the females of those couples had nothing good to say about ABQ.......too dry, too much dust, too uncivilized, nothing to do, etc.

I hadn't been to ABQ then so I don't know if their assessment at the time was correct or not; but today that beautiful city has taken on a cosmopolitan feel while still maintaining its individuality. Its natural beauty is breathtaking, its architecture amazing, its history revered, its culture celebrated. It doesn't take long to fall in love with the place.

I was there just before Christmas several years ago visiting friends, and we were strolling through Old Town just at dusk. It was cold and all the boutiques on the square were shimmering with Christmas lights. It started to snow, and it was such a magical moment that I'll never forget it. There's something unusual but endearing about scores of hanging red chile peppers interspersed with tiny white lights.

Sixty miles north of there is Santa Fe -- a truly beautiful and upscale, artsy community full of interesting people, homes, ranches, shopping. Santa Fe has its own personality and it's a fun place to visit -- it has a "small town" feel to it but it's home to some big money folks. There's a bit of snobbishness about some of the "new money" here, but the locals are kind, warm people.

Back in ABQ there's a wonderful small local chain of eateries called The Flying Star Cafe. They're unique places filled with wonderful food, walls of current magazines, interesting outside places to sit and sip some of the best coffee you'll ever have. One of the locations sits just at the base of the Sandia Mountains, and the scenery is gorgeous. These cafes are not the least bit pretentious -- they're just warm, cozy places to have a terrific meal, sandwich, or one of their unbelievable desserts. The service is caring but slow, but it doesn't matter. You can spend your time people-watching, browsing their stacks of mags or just taking in the surrounding views.

I'm ready to go back.

(sigh)