Old Town Albuquerque

At something dark, cold and silly o’clock we hauled ourselves out of bed and drove to Belen to catch the New Mexico Rail Runner to Santa Fe.   It’s a great service the price of the ticket also includes the bus in Albuquerque.

 

The train arrives at the Alvarado (named for the now demolished Harvey House) Transit Centre in Albuquerque

 

from there we took the westbound 766 bus to Old Town.   To return to the train station the eastbound bus stop is across the road outside the community police station.

Standing on the Camino Real (Royal Road) running between Mexico City and Santa Fe, Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez, Duke of Albuquerque, Governor of the Spanish Province of New Mexico.    Albuquerque became the areas agricultural centre and the regional seat of government for the Rio Abajo (Lower River). 

In 1862 during the Civil War the Confederate Flag flew over Albuquerque and soldiers who served in General Sibley’s Brig with Major Trevanion T Teel were buried on the plaza.

San Felipe De Neri is the oldest church in Albuquerque continuously serving the community since it was built in 1706.

 After visiting the church we explored the narrow streets of Old Town

 

and found some lovely hidden plazas

and most unexpectedly a Christmas shop absolutely chock full of goodies, it’s a good job my friend wasn’t with us as we’d’ve had awful trouble getting her out of there.

 

Have fun, we are!