Cameras do not bounce

I forgot to mention a discovery I made while observing the sandhill cranes: Sony cameras do not bounce. And, even more startling, they still work after not bouncing on the sidewalk!! Yes, while futzing around getting my hood up to block the chill wind, I caught the strap of my camera sending it tumbling to the sidewalk. Heart in mouth I picked it up, not daring to breathe and certainly not expecting it to still work but, lo! it did! A big WHEW!!

Blue skies of Albuquerque

Fifteen hours on the train from LA to Albuquerque was much easier, most of those hours spent sleeping. Train left LA at around 7:00 so there wasn't much to see until morning. A very different sort of seat mate this time, a self proclaimed semi-psychotic Vietnam vet who carried on a steady monologue detailing his mental illness resulting from his duty in Vietnam after the conflict officially ended looking for POW camps, shooting the teenage Vietnamese kids who were left to guard the camps, watching his comrades die in various ways, etc. He professed difficulty in understanding why he was mentally troubled. Now he teaches kindergarten in Gallup, NM!!!??? I hoped I'd survive the night by his side and was glad to awaken unscathed in the morning. Those sleeping pills the psychiatrists give him so that he can sleep at all and not commit acts of violence that he can't remember did their job, thankfully.

Watched the sunrise over the desert from the observation car glad to be back in the southwest. Got in to Albuquerque around noon and took the city bus to my cousin's place. Despite a woefully inadequate bus system, I like Albuquerque a lot. Big deep blue sky, gnarly cottonwoods bare of foliage this time of year, nice crisp, cool, dry air. As I walked home yesterday afternoon from the store, the sunset illuminated Sandia Mt. turning it the watermelon colour it is named for.

Today, after a long time on the internet arranging travel (see below), I went for a long walk on the bicycle/foot path that parallels the Rio Grande, the warm sunshine causing me to shed layers and revel in the warmth. I went by the field where the Sandhill Cranes were hanging out as they do this time of year on their migratory journey. Big talkative birds busily foraging in the grass quite unafraid and very photogenic.

Travel plans have changed significantly. The Mexican consulate here no longer gives out tourist cards which you must have to enter Mexico, and getting one crossing the border by bus would be a huge rigmarole. So I'm flying to Xalapa (the capitol of Vera Cruz), originally my final destination. Despite the expense, this actually works out well giving me much more time to spend enjoying the stops along the way and less time on the bus.

More from Xalapa. Adios amigos!

In LA

Jan 27, I think: What a long train ride! Not sure I'll do that again. It was scenic for the first part along Puget Sound and the last part along the coast south of San Luis Obispo but the rest wasn't especially noteworthy. I get a kick out of Amtrak employees. My impression is that it's their train and you're riding by their good graces and you better behave. A pillow? Not time for pillows. You'll get one later. Overheard a guy with the temerity to ask for one and was told, "we already gave pillows out!" "But I just got on??!!" Grudgingly, with exasperation, "I'll see what I can do." Later, "where did my pillow go?" "We have to get this car cleaned up now." And so on. Definitely not like the airlines.

My seat mate, Elvis Rosales was from Honduras so I got to practice my Spanish. Wish my comprehension was better. Elvis invited me to his home in Honduras if I ever get down that way, assuming he returns there.

Got in to LA yesterday evening about 9:30. Glad to have my fleece on; it was cold! My cousin, Anita, came to pick me up and took me back to her home in Santa Monica; gave me food and she and her husband, Gary, and I chatted while her three teenage kids made sporadic appearances. Woke up to guess what? A nice day. Like always in LA; or mostly according to Gary. Went for a long walk on the beach. Saw some dolphins; at least I think that's what they were. Glorious, warm sunshine and endless beach. All sorts of LA types in attendance: skateboarders with surfboard under arm, gangbanger dudes, glamour folks, beautiful people and just regular folks.

Pretty soon I'll take the bus downtown to catch the train to Albuquerque.

Take care everyone. Sending my love.

Seattle Jan 24/09

I'm off!! Arrived here at Demian's on the Clipper last night. An uneventful trip thus far. Nice to be here with the kids. Will continue Demian's 40th birthday celebrations this weekend before getting on the train Monday morning bound for LA.

Publish Post