Oklahoma City and Albuquerque (New Mexico)

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After leaving Texas- apparently the best place in America according to the Texan cowboy even though he had been to less places in the USA than us- basically if it's not in Texas then it must be rubbish seems to be their philosophy we headed to Oklamoma and then on to New Mexico.

Wed 29th Sept- Our inn was just outside an area of ​​downtown called bricktown so we took a taxi so that we could go and explore. We went to the monument for the victims of a terror attack in the city which was very moving. There was a chair cast out of bronze for each person that died in the attack plus a tree to remember those that survived and a reflecting pool. We then took the trolley around the city but there was not a lot to see so we decided to head to the library to book our accommodation for las vegas which is very exciting. We then took the trolley back to bricktown an area by the canal where warehouses have been turned into bars and restaurants. The weather was like a British summers evening so we ate outside overlooking the canal. We then

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decided to head to the movie theater for our first movie experience in the USA, we chose to see Not You Again which was pretty funny and we embarrassed ourselves when we asked for two spoons so we could share what we thought was a tub of mint choc Chip ice cream, the staff looked at us gone out and asked why we needed spoons. turns out it wasn't ice cream but mini choc ices which you could pick up with your fingers so that explained why they were confused and we felt very stupid!!

Thurs 30th Sept- We headed to the stockyards area which was very quiet compared to Fort Worth but apparently it livens up on weekends and cattle market days, it was however the place to be for all your essential cowboy wear and we had a cheap and yummy Lunch at the famous Cattleman's steak house which has been visited by many famous people including George Bush Senior. We ended up being sat between a huge group of oap ladies all dressed in red and purple (not really sure why) and we could not work out if the one token male was gay or if

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he was the city's version of Hugh Hefner!!

Friday 1st Oct- As we traveled on the bus we passed through masses of farm land and any ranches in north west texas, we also passed possibly the worlds smallest county airport which consisted of a strip of mud in a field and a tin shed. As we passed into New Mexico we began to climb as Albuquerque lies nearly one mile above sea level. The mountain scenery was stunning. The hostel is a big old house on old route 66 walking distance from downtown and old town and everyone is really friendly.

Sat 2nd October- The hostel provides free eggs so cooked some up for breakfast before taking a walk downtown, it was very quiet so after wondering around we sat and had a drink outside a cafe on the crossroads of old route 66. The world famous hot air balloon fiesta was on just outside town, we had no transport and no wish to get up at 5am to go see the morning balloon display but headed with an english couple from Selby who had a hire car to the evening activities, we walked around the stalls and

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exhibits before settling down on the grass hoping to see hundreds of balloons inflate and glow as the sun set, unfortunately the wind got up and then it got to dark for the event to happen but the sunset and later the lightning storm over the mountains was amazing to see and we stayed around to watch the firework display which was actually very impressive so it wasn't a completely wasted evening. Back at the hostel we joined another English couple, the guy was from Grimsby so I couldn't lie and say I lived in Lincoln like I normally do, although as he pointed out Grimsby is probably worse than Scunthorpe, And we played a board game called battle of the sexes where guys have to answer questions on things all females should apparently know and visa versa, it soon emerged that according to this game the only things women should know about are cleaning, cooking and being a mother!!

Sun 3rd October- Headed to the old town which we were expecting to be quiet but there was a fiesta on with all the li9ttle gifts shop open, art stalls, music and flamenco dancing. The atmosphere was great and

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the weather perfect so it was a really great afternoon.

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