Back from Albuquerque

• Where hundreds of hot air balloons pumped full of free porpane gathered for the International Hot Air Balloon fiesta, but the only fire during the past week took place at a Little Anita's restaurant miles away. Go figure.

• Where there's a shop selling "authentic Indian jewelry" around every corner.

• Where the freeways are painted pink and turquoise. I'm serious.

• Where they put green chile in everything. Even white chocolate.

But seriously, I had a good time. Due to a computer glitch at the local Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Chris and I ended up renting a white Chevy Suburban (a car so big, adjectives about how big it was are unnecessary) for the price of a Kia Rio.

We helped Chris' friends chase a hot air balloon (see earlier entry), still managed to see the special shapes balloons the next day, went shopping, went to the zoo (monkeys, koalas, polar bears, rhinos and they're trying to get a Panda, which would be prestigious for the zoo), visited Native American ruins, attended a wedding, went to the Natural History Museum.

I had fun, like I always manage to do when hanging out with Chris.