Returning to Albuquerque - TN&O bus down from the mountains

I woke up this morning with a foot of snow outside and it still falling.

The winter weather has followed me down from Taos. We are very high up here. The altitude is higher then you think and the air feels crisp and bracing. Luckily the heating had been on all night but the open air in front of the arcades in the hostel was very slippery. I saw a couple of people nearly land on their behind when I walking to breakfast.

Santa Fe looked stunning in the snow. It hangs on the contours and niches of the adobe buildings making them look absolutely enchanting and covers the parked cars in a blanket

There isnt an actual breakfast at the hostel but for a few more dollars you can help yourself to hot buttered toast and sticky jam (jelly). I sat around the common room and chatted to the other hostelers including an American from Florida called Ty. There seems to be more Americans at this hostel then others I have visited. I think they are interested in the New age spirituality and its the cheapest place to sleep in chic expensive Santa Fe.

Several Americans told me I MUST see the Grand Canyon. The south rim is very touristy but get to the North rim if I can. I asked about Las Vegas and opinion was divided some saying "only in America" others saying 'give it a wide berth'. Perhaps Americans have a different opinion of Vegas then the rest of us. Its the OTT feel of Vegas that signifies America for foreigners and I am certainly looking forward to it.

I got on so well with Ty that I suggested lunch (my bus doesnt leave until 3.00pm) and we drove the half mile or so to the plaza. Santa Fe looked stunning in the snow. It hangs on the contours and niches of the adobe buildings making them look absolutely enchanting and covers the parked cars in a blanket. We ate Tex Mex, which I adore, at Tomasitas and Ty was good company. Americans are very intelligent and are interested in outside cultures. Certainly I learned more about this country and Americans opinions of it then I would from any travel guide.

Ty drove me back and then stayed with me until it was time to leave. I then said my goodbyes to the people at the hostel and trudged down the Cerillos Road in the snow carrying a heavy backpack. The bus ticket to Albuquerque was only $6 and once again strangers started conversations with me. I must look so distinct with my big heavy canvas green backpack. The drive down to Albuerque took only an hour and guess what? The skies were clear and brilliantly blue.

I knew the way to the hostel pretty well by now and still think of it as one of the friendliest in the country. I was back in the mens dorm in the basement with clean sheets, a heater and a shower that sounds like a motor starting up but once again as there was no TV I chatted with the guests who including a librarian doing research on the area who had one of the first laptops I had ever seen.