22nd Day - 04 March 2022

I wake up early because some idiot starts his car but doesn't drive off, instead letting the engine run for 15 minutes. Unfortunately, I experience this nuisance here quite often. And when I compare the fuel prices here with those currently in Germany, it doesn't surprise me much either. The price for a liter of regular gasoline here is 85-90 cents. It's simply worlds apart. I haven't seen many electric cars here either. A few Teslas. The country is still dominated by combustion engines. And since the cities are so spacious, everything is simply driven by car. You don't see anyone walking around with shopping bags here.

On the other hand, I find the food prices to be significantly higher than in Germany. An apple can easily cost one euro here. Packaged cheese with ten slices costs 2.50 euros. A few slices of ham cost three euros. But the real shocker is the price they charge for a can of deodorant. If you buy the spray version, it will cost you four euros. On the other hand, clothes are much cheaper here. And so are many medicines. 500 aspirin tablets cost less than three euros.

I leave relatively early, skipping breakfast and only taking a few apples with me. Considering the mentioned prices, this is actually a more cost-effective option than some of the breakfasts I've had. It had rained overnight. But at 8:30 am, the sun is shining again as I merge onto Interstate 40. I only drive on it for a few minutes, and then I continue on a single-lane road, Route 84, towards Las Vegas. Las Vegas, New Mexico, by the way, not Las Vegas, Nevada. The landscape is now characterized by higher rocks on the right and left, which are also plentifully covered in vegetation. The small shrubs have been replaced by larger ones. And once again, the plain opens up, sometimes offering a magnificent view.

Just before Las Vegas, I turn onto Interstate 25. From here, the way to Santa Fe on the small roads would be twice as long in terms of time. That would take up too much time for me. Besides, the interstate here is very interesting because it passes by increasingly higher mountains, and in the background on the horizon, you can see the snow-covered foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The downside is that you can't stop. Unless you come across one of the not so numerous rest areas.

The entrance to Santa Fe already shows how beautiful this city is. Houses in Pueblo style are lined up one after another. I read that the city administration requires this style of architecture to preserve the cityscape. And it's worth it. For me, Santa Fe is the most beautiful city in the USA that I have seen so far, alongside San Francisco. I find a parking space right at the Plaza, the center of downtown. Three hours here cost a reasonable five dollars. And you are right in the middle of the action.

Here, the action consists of beautiful houses that are harmoniously incorporated into the cityscape, numerous cafes and shops, and hundreds of vendors offering jewelry, ceramics, and other local products. And all of this happens in a completely relaxed atmosphere without any aggressive hustle and bustle. It's just fun to walk around here. It's very clean, and the large square in the middle, the Plaza, invites you to linger with its numerous benches. Long dried chili peppers are hung on the lanterns.

The three hours really fly by. For lunch, I visit a small Mexican restaurant and get taco chips with salsa, two bean tacos, and a Pepsi for $15, including the tip. And that in the capital of New Mexico. I could really stay here longer. The art scene alone would be worth a one-week stay. The density of art galleries and museums is remarkable. I decide that this will not be my last stay here before I continue the journey after three great hours.

The route through the suburbs is typically American again. One fast food restaurant next to another and numerous motels. And of course, not in this beautiful style. You can't have it all. After stopping at 13 red lights - a green wave is completely unknown here - I am finally on Route 14, which is known as a scenic road. And it truly is. Numerous pull-outs invite you to enjoy the landscape. The vastness of New Mexico is incredible to see here.

After 30 minutes, I arrive in Madrid. Madrid, New Mexico, that is, not Madrid, Spain. And this little place is incredible. In addition to the reminder to drive only 15 miles per hour because there are so many pets on the road, it is more crowded here than in Santa Fe. Art galleries and cafes line up one after another. I actually want to stop, but it's so crowded that I decide not to. By the way, I didn't see any pets.

Route 14 remains as beautiful as it was at the beginning. One of the most beautiful stretches so far. And it continues all the way to Albuquerque, the destination of my stage. Before I drive to my motel, I make a short detour into the mountains. From there, you have a fantastic view of the entire plain with Albuquerque in the foreground. Numerous trails invite you to go hiking from here, but the number of parked cars is manageable. It can't be the weather; I think it's just not the season yet.

It takes me half an hour from here to reach my accommodation, which turns out to be very lovely. Attention has been paid to every detail here. The floor in my room is laminate wood, and the refrigerator and microwave are brightly red. The furniture is made of dark wood and not shabby junk. The walls are tastefully decorated. Someone really put some thought into this. Only the bathroom is standard.

There is chocolate on my bed as a welcome greeting. I've never had that before. And even though it's just a small gesture, it creates an overall feeling of coziness. The San Mateo Motel is a real lucky find at an affordable price. Since there is also a small laundry facility here, I wash some of my clothes. By the way, shampoo is a good detergent, just don't use too much because it foams a lot. The prices here are more than affordable, the washing machine costs $1.50, and the dryer is one dollar. And the wash cycle doesn't even take 40 minutes. They think our long washing times are crazy anyway.

I go to bed early, at 9:00 pm, the day is over for me. And I look back on a day that was probably one of the most beautiful here. Everything was just perfect today. The weather, the route, a super great city, great food, and a nice accommodation. What a day!