Donna on the Side - touring Albuquerque

by Donna Dye

The Great Southwest Classic is set in southeast Albuquerque in the shadow of the Sandia Mountains. Albuquerque is a multi-cultural community formed from Indian, Spanish and Anglo heritages with a population of about 700,000.

Albuquerque, a name taken from a small village in Spain, was founded in 1706 on the banks of the Rio Grande River. The city embraces old west history, distinctive architecture, and leading edge science and technology. There are hot air balloons, chile peppers, adobe styled buildings, Sandia mountains, Sandia tram, indians and pottery. An hour's drive north is Santa Fe, with arts and crafts galore. There's a lot of fun and good times to have as part of the the Great Southwest Classic scene.

In April of this year Albuquerque began a year long celebration of its 300th anniversary. Many activities are planned to honor Albuquerque's rich history and tradition. A web site devoted to the celebration provides all the information needed to plan and partake in the activities.

Visit http://www.albuquerque300.org/ for information about the celebration.

As part of the scene for the Great Southwest Classic and in honor of the tricentennial celebration we spent some time in and around Old Town Albuquerque.

First Stop was the Albuquerque Museum of Art And History. The Museum opened Phase I of an expansion in February of this year just in time for the TriCentennial celebration. The new space adds 40,000 square feet to the original building

The first major exhibition to fill the Museum's new gallery is the impressive El Alma de España - The Soul of Spain and kicks off the city's Tri Centennial celebration. El Alma is the first of two Spanish exhibitions to be displayed in 2005. Prelude to Spanish Modernism: Fortuny to Picasso will fill the gallery August 21- November 27, 2005.

Next was the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the National Atomic Museum complete with protesters.

	The National Atomic Museum is the nation's only Congressionally chartered museum of nuclear science and history. The museum was established in 1969 as an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today's peaceful uses of nuclear technology. http://www.atomicmuseum.com/

Old Town was alive with activity with a festival of the San Felipe church on the square. Streets were closed to allow for rides and food stalls. The band played in the plaza gazebo while patrons danced and sang.

"Welcome to Old Town Plaza Vieja"
San Felipe de Neri Church

Lunch was at the Casa de Fiesta Mexican Grill in a building that dates back to 1840.

Lunch came with music at our table.

There are many activities planned for the TriCentennial celebration. So it will be a busy, fun filled year. See http://www.albuquerque300.org/ for more information.

Happy Birthday, Albuquerque!

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