Santa Fe in Bloom

Things I'll Miss in Santa Fe

There are a few places that you run into where you feel automatically welcome and you just keep going back. Los Amigos (the friends) is that place for me. It's about a mile from my house and Rudy always has a smile and a welcome for everyone. Their huevos rancheros is addictive (I have it almost every visit) and Los Amigos is where I learned to always ask about the hotness of chile. When you are asked if you want red or green chile, you need to ask, "which is the hottest today?"
I love all the new experiences of traveling, but sometimes it's comforting to know that you will always have a welcoming experience. It can get to be a habit!
As for the world trip - Saudia Arabia has eliminated itself. When I looked up their visa requirements it basically said "don't even think about coming here." I can take a hint.

Ramblin Again

There is nothing as exciting as planning a trip and I am in the process of planning my next trip around the world. It's that time where anything is possible. Thanks to Delta Skymiles, I'll be traveling to Jakarta (Indonesia), Bangkok, (Thailand), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Prague (Czech Rebublic). The fun now is planning all the side trips around these stops. All day yesterday was spent finding a way from Jakarta to Brunei and I'm booked.
Now for all the rest, including the visa application process. My favorite so far is the Czech Republic where you have to prove that you have at least $38,000 in travel insurance that is good in the Czech Republic. Where did they get this number? It seems so specific. Do they know something that I don't? Should I worry?
By Oct 30, I have to move all my stuff into storage before I can take off for the 7 month trip. Before then I have 2 sets of visitors (dear friends from the past), who will help me take a last good look at New Mexico - especially the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque the first week in Oct.
So stay tuned....
[This photo is from the gorgeous Aug, 2009 issue of "Architectural Digest." The entire issue is devoted to unique homes in exotic locations. It's a must for any traveler.]