I
flew in to Albuquerque, which has the main airport
in the state. (Visitors to the lower half of New Mexico
often fly into the airport at El Paso, Texas.) And
no, I didn't use that old joke, "Do I need a
passport to visit?" You would be amazed at how
many people (Americans!) ask that question. They must
not realize that New Mexico is the 47th state, although
personally I was surprised to hear that it's only
been a state since 1912.
Guest
Room at the Albuquerque MarriottPlenty of visitors,
particularly Europeans, are drawn here because
of the lure of the Wild West. Route 66 passes right
through
the compact downtown area. Albuquerque was just
a quick stopover for me. I stayed in the Albuquerque
Marriott, about a fifteen minute drive from the
airport.
This is a good, reliable business hotel with free
parking, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and a
fitness center. A short walk away is the new ABQ
Uptown district,
where shops, a big-box bookstore and of course,
a Starbucks are arranged around a pedestrian area.
(Although
I personally held out for Satellite Coffee just
down the street - my coffee-connoisseur friend
gave their
brew two thumbs up, they had fresh lemon and really
good tea, and as a bonus, very yummy breakfast burritos.)
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