7/6/21

There is a pool one strolling distance block from where I have the RV docked. I walked over there prepped for a dip and boy was it great. Super duper clear water, 4 lap lanes, lots of grassy area, shaded or sunny, friendly staff. And inexpensive. $15 for a monthly pass. Was there about an hour which felt just right

Serious heat is descending upon ABQ beginning today. Expecting to hit 100° +, yikes . And J'll say it again, the temp difference between NM and Tex, altho identical , feels different. As far as the RV goes, it heats up fast when El Sol is shining directly upon it. For a while I was in a shady spot in front of the complex, on the street, but had to move it to the back of C's complex. Even yesterday, where it was in the lower 90's it got pretty damn hot inside. Today may be unbearable. Shade makes ALL the difference. There is a carport with several empty spaces that I'm next to. I've tape measured the height and altho close, the RV is too tall by several inches. I must think of a better parking solution if I am to stay here for 3 more weeks.

7/10

Rocking along in ABQ. Biking, visiting Java Joe's daily (but not on crazy busy weekends), swimming, all the while getting a gradual, better feel for the city. Neighborhood feels good, comfortable, and chill. I'm not far from main thoroughfare Central Ave, ART bus lines (free! and it takes me straight to UNM) Close to a grocery store, JJ's coffee shop, restaurants laundromat, just about every big or little thing I need. Yesterday evening there was an event called the "Friday Art Walk" not too far from here. Chiquita was working one of her jobs at a thrift store a short 15 minute stroll from here. It went on all day till after sundown. So I wandered on over there and saw all I had to see rather quickly. Hundred's of people milling (my GOD, the beautiful you women here!), walking, laughing like hyena's, vintage cars poking along, competing music blaring, you get the picture. Found C, gave her a flashlight so she could see her way home, strolled back to the RV and mixed up tall Vodka Tonic. The public radio here, can report, is excellent. DJs rather excellent. Listened to Spanish music all night long.

7/10

"Everyone out of the pool!". I was done with my laps and was dozing on my beach blanket bingo - didn't even stir, what for? I thought it was routine, time for the LG's to treat the pool like they do every 2 hours or so. But the life guard bellowed the same demand again, this time with a little more urgency, so I sat up on one elbow to see what was up. The LG's were running around with some urgency. A lady had gone under in one of the lap lanes. In no time flat, they pulled her out and laid her on a board and went to work on her. Pool now empty, everyone standing around staring, a somber pall. One lady kept doing the sign of the cross. About half hour later, the EMS wheeled her away in a recumbent position. She was going to be OK. Everyone exhaled, and spontaneously clapped. The way the LG's responded, and they're really just a bunch of kids, took my breath away. All their lifesaving training had kicked in, and boy were they up to the task. Calm, composed, efficient and effective. I thanked them when I left. I was grateful for their actions, and truly impressed by what I had witnessed.

AND BY THE WAY, Rio Grande Pool is among the best pool's I have ever had the pleasure of swimming in. Super clean water. Long lap lanes. Crazy lax rules for bringing food in (families have big birthday parties there, folks picnic, snacking everywhere, food? whatever.) And the Lifeguards, altho professional, are laidback and super friendly (just teenagers).

6/12

In Albuquerque, tattoos are the thing. It seems EVERYone is covered in INK, and covered all fucking over. Arms, legs, and even here and there, a swirling tattoo decorates the occasional face. It's a big thing here, a collective fad gone wild. I don't find it objectionable whatsoever, FYI. Like the Pope said just the other day, "Who am I to judge?" Hope I don't caught up and get some ink myself!

I was inside the truck compartment messing around, looking for the master cruise control switch when an SUV pulled up.. I rolled the window down. Little old, smiling, lady told my RV was a rare, "don't see them too often any more". I concurred. The she asked me if it was for sale. Variations of this encounter have occurred since I've been on the road. Before I finally got my hands on the Toyota RV, I myself had approached ToyRV owners with similar observations and queries of my own.

6/14

Bringing along my bike was a damn good idea. I've used it every day since I arrived in ABQ. Going to Java Joe's every morning, biking to the grocery store, exploring the neighborhood (tennis courts!). Excellent form of transpo, even for longer journey's (e.g., UNM, 2.5 miles). Way better than driving places in the RV. Every time I pull the RV from where it's docked, I have to secure the inside, disconnect power, an entire check list. It's not a terribly long process, I'm getting pretty efficient at it. But once the RV's in a spot, my tendency is to leave it there. And I do, for several days at a time. Getting around on a bike is the way to go..

Yesterday, me and "The ChickBug" went out to eat for a change, but we found it difficult to find anything open. We settled on, of all things, a Food Court(!) . It was, surprisingly good. ABQ, even tho it's the biggest city in NM, and in my opinion anyway, starts shutting down a little on the early side. But I could be wrong. Tonight there's a Flamenco performance we're going to this evening that begins rather late - 10:30p. It's not something that I would naturally attend (other things that I would naturally be disinclined to attend include Opera, any play or any popular movie in any theater) . BUT, I'm keeping a open mind., Tastefully flamboyant dancing castanet-ing, rapid fire heel clicking, and boy, that guitar playing, Why The Heck Not. Even if it's just the one time. Plus, PLUS, I'm told, there will be a bar!

And FYI y'all. I have yet to find a frozen Margarita anywhere in all of ABQ :(

6/15

Well, the Flamenco recital was OK. Mercifully short (about an hour), flamboyant, ornate shaking of a leg, waving of arms and a lot of foot stomping. Not ideal seating for me, but all worked out for the best (I was standing room only) Chiquita's seat, on the was one short row from the stage. She's going to attend another performance tonight and another tomorrow. Me? I've crossed out witnessing a Flamenco performance off my list, thank you. Solamente Uno.