Albakerky

Well? Well? That’s how it’s pronounced, isn’t it! Bigger town than I would have thought, maybe a million or so.

The flight from San Francisco landed just about the time the solar eclipse was beginning. I shared a taxi with Navid to the hotel; we found many colleagues (and others) watching through heavily tinted sunglasses. One or two of them lent their sunglasses to us, and I have to admit, it really was worth seeing. Having checked in and dropped our things off in our rooms, we were outdoors just about the time the eclipse was at its maximum. Cool!

The taxi driver had recommended the St Clair Winery and Bistro, only a block or two from the hotel, so we decided to give it a try. As those who know me can attest, I’m more of a beer guy than a wine aficionado, but the menu listed an oatmeal stout that was pretty good. A lamb stew sprinkled with feta cheese, and once again, I’m pretty spoiled.

Very spoiled.

As to names, I asked our waiter Mark whether it was Rio Grand, or Rio Grande. He had always pronounced it just English grand, but he took a poll in the kitchen and came back with mixed results. So the Spanish haven’t completely surrendered the language!

Tags: Albuquerque, Solar eclipse, St Clair Winery and Bistro