The Grand Canyon by rail, courtesy of AmTrak.Very romantic, very scenic, and at times very frustrating. With that in mind, I'd like to talk about Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Albuquerque is the epicenter of Suck.
This was scientifically tested and proven during our trip west.
If you live in or are from Albuquerque, I am sorry. Really, really sorry. You should move! Your life would be a whole lot better! Just ask NPH or French Stewart!
The trouble started about an hour outside of the city.
We were informed that we would be spending over an hour at the station, so practically no one made reservations for dinner on board the train. Because everybody knows that the one thing Albuquerque has going for it, besides hot-air balloons, is burritos.
BUT THEN - We started hitting unexpected red signals, requiring super slow speeds and verification from the home station and a whole bunch of hassle.
By the time we got to the station, we were informed that it would only be a 15 minute stop, and if you had to disembark, you should stay close. So, no yummy overstuffed burritos laced with fresh green chiles for us. Instead: microwavable pizza from the snack car!
But here's the kicker: Because the resident citizenry of Albuquerque is too stupid to realize that unticketed people actually do have to get off the train at some point, we were actually at the station for over an hour!!! Not allowed to go search out yummy food, but put behind schedule minute by minute because people's family and friends wouldn't get off the train!!!!
What is up with that??
[deep breath to decompress]
(This helps, a little...)So, I have figured out the formula for Albuquerque: The closer you get, the more things suck. The further away you are, the more things improve. But you are left with a residual craving for burritos.
On the way back east, we were given an unexpected gift. We arrived in Albuquerque an hour ahead of the time printed in the schedule, for an hour-plus stay (must've been a typo). We managed to blindly find some super delicious burritos within three or four blocks of the train station.
Fellow passengers were violently jealous.
We were threatened with stoning.
Good times!
An added bonus to train travel: We arrived back in Chicago three hours before our bus was scheduled to depart. In that time, we managed to track down a Pizano's location within walking distance - home to the best pizza we've ever had, and a super selection of draft beer, to boot. Hadn't visited in 4 years. SO glad we had the opportunity.
On the way back east, we were given an unexpected gift. We arrived in Albuquerque an hour ahead of the time printed in the schedule, for an hour-plus stay (must've been a typo). We managed to blindly find some super delicious burritos within three or four blocks of the train station.
Fellow passengers were violently jealous.
We were threatened with stoning.
Good times!
An added bonus to train travel: We arrived back in Chicago three hours before our bus was scheduled to depart. In that time, we managed to track down a Pizano's location within walking distance - home to the best pizza we've ever had, and a super selection of draft beer, to boot. Hadn't visited in 4 years. SO glad we had the opportunity.
So I suppose it's all good, despite the existence of Albuquerque.
Travel by train.
Seriously - DO IT.
If you can at all afford it, do it.
At least once.
If you don't, you might miss something you can never imagine.
Good or bad, it's still a happening.
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