July 26, 2009

After the Southwest Hebraic Roots Conference, I ate at my favorite place in Albuquerque, Taco Cabana, since I do not get to go there very often.  Their food is superb and reasonably priced.  I got the chicken enchilada plate to go ($5.12, including tax) and ate it in a park.

In the photo, you can see the two enchiladas, rice, and refried beans on the right.  I requested that the enchiladas be topped with red and green chili, as I like both equally.  Depending on the time of year, sometimes the red is hotter, and sometimes the green is hotter.  Since I prefer my chili extremely hot (like I prefer my Thai food), I have a better chance of receiving a very spicy meal if I order red and green.  Typically, at any New Mexican restaurant that serves Mexican food, the waiter/waitress will ask, “Red or green?” and the typical response by someone who wants both is “Christmas” (since red and green are the main colors of Christmas).

On the left side of the photo is a box of my favorite condiments: hot (caliente or picante) salsa, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, and extra green chili.  I like to think of the latter as “green gold”; it is so valuable in New Mexico that it almost could be used as a currency.  (Maybe it will be when the dollar fails.)  I opened one container of it so that you can see it.  Also, can you tell that I like jalapeños?  Admittedly, I ate three of them and took the rest with me.  I like to cut them up on other foods that I eat.  I can assure you that all of them will get eaten.

I took the opportunity to drive around and take photos of the surrounding area.  In the photo on the right are three volcanic mounds, clearly visible east of Albuquerque.  New Mexico is one of the most highly volcanic states, containing many volcanic fieldsIn fact, in the photo on the left, under the broad expanse of that long cloud, is the 175-square mile, 12-mile wide Valles Caldera, a Supervolcano, about 50 miles north of Albuquerque.  See a relief map of New Mexico, where I have encircled the huge Valles Caldera in red, Santa Fe in blue, and Albuquerque in green.

Incidentally, Santa Fe, the capital of NM, is believed by many to be the oldest city in the USA.  Its 400th birthday is next year (2010).  For certain, it is the oldest city that is a state capital.  It also is the highest state capital in the USA—highest in elevation (7,000 feet), that is, not necessarily in the frame of mind of its inhabitants, although that may be true as well.  At a minimum, many of them get “high” on red and green chili. 

I took a series of other photos in the area.  I am a cloud freak, probably because I know that Jesus is returning again on the clouds (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 14:14).  Thus, most of my pictures include clouds.  NM has some of the most awesome, spectacular clouds I have seen anywhere.  If you would like to see some of the photos I took, go here: A Few Scenic Photos of North Central New Mexico.