Kevin's Watch

A different kind of question. Safety in Albuquerque? Are there some areas one should avoid? Safe for a young woman to walk alone in the center and any precautions one should take? Gang activity? Anything else that may seem matter-of-fact for a local but perhaps not so for a visitor that one should take into account?

lorin wrote:It may just be the New Yorker in me but I would estimate 30/meal.

That is absolutely the New Yorker in you. You and your $12 hot dogs ...

Re: weather - in hot places like ABQ, the only time the weather affects you is walking to/from the car. Hiking, etc, excluded of course. Really, a little heat never killed anyone! ;} Don't over worry.

Re: Safety - only a local would know. But this should not be a concern unless you plan on trying to find the bad parts of town. Just be sensible.

Well, it's +18 here and everyone wears sandals, capris, and t-shirts. This was called "mid-spring heat wave" in the news. Cannot lighten the outfit much more...
Oh, and I'm staying in that Best Western Airport InnSuites hotel.

It'll likely be +30c there during the day. If you plan on doing a lot of walking, carry water with you. You'll go through a lot there. It cools off quickly there after sunset though. You'll want a light jacket and slacks for then.

Yeah, lurch informed about the daytime sauna conditions...I'm just going to accept the fact that this isn't one of those activity vacations.

Re meal prices: this page has good info, restaurant prices broken down by category. For planning purposes, this should give you a good idea how much you could spend. Especially if dollars are not your dollars.

wikitravel.org/en/Albuquerque

Don't forget Barbeque Nite at danlo's! Ask for the vegetarian armadillo brisket with a side of green chili wings. Mmm mmm.

Iolanthe wrote:Ha ha! I've been warned about the size of American portions. I have never been a big eater and am quite willing to share. I love Salad, it is the mainstay of my diet at the moment. I'll work something out and load the card appropriately; I can always get the money that is left over off again.

Keep in mind we will be in the desert southwest. New Mexican cuisine rocks! Try not to limit your options so you don't at least try some chili or huevos rancheros or something of the sort.

SD plans to make at least one return visit to Cocina Azul (although it looks like it may now be called Cafe Azul, or Azul Burrito Company), where he and I ate during last 'fest. We enjoyed it very much.

As it happens, that is the place I wanted to suggest for lorin's birthday celebration. Excellent non-meat choices; try their calabacitas or Menolly's perennial favorite, the huevos rancheros.

Talk to me-I'll keep you safe---you're always in good hands with danlo.

I'm still taking small donations and will have better allocations ideas in the next two days when Jenn comes to stay with us for a week, before pulling the plug on her past location and moving to Albq. permanently. Just got donations from Romeo and Eric A (Cag's buddy who's coming again). so here's the current breakdown:

Not including the buffet-priced at 2036.80 for 40 people which includes choice of prime rib, citrus chicken or talapia as well as veggies, awesome salad, potato, and carrot cake which breaks down to 50.82 per person including tax and gratuity. Our expenses break down as thus:

reception room: 388.44
cash bar and bartender: 194.20
film budget 350.00
SRD and quest meals: 101.64
Romeo's prepaid meal: 101.64
total: 1135.92
deposit on hand: 1200.00, in Elohimfest acct: 750.00

So we're paid up + 4 meals leaving about 824.00 on hand. If we have any more coming in I suggest we put a fund together to repay lurch 500.00 as he contributed 1k up front. Other expenses that that money can cover are t-shirts (yes Jenn and I will be heading up the committee for commemorative t-shirts), high tea and party expenses. And if we have more left over I suggest we try to fund a watchers trip, if we can afford it, or if people want to chip in for anyone who can give up those days but can't quite afford airfare, etc...

I plan on donating at the event, if that is ok. Although I might be able to convince my wife to use her paypal account to donate if you'd prefer the money ahead of time, and I wouldn't have to try to keep money around to donate.

An *extremely* tangential side note....

A couple of Watchers asked me on Facebook today about getting copies of my books from me at Efest. Please note that I have zero interest (none, zip, nada) in stealing the thunder from SRD! He is the focus of the weekend, and rightfully so. But if anybody wants one of my books, pm me so I can bring enough copies along.

When I've done personal appearances in the past (oh haha, like I've done a ton of 'em...), I've charged $5 per paperback. (Yes, I take credit cards -- I have a Square. )

Well, my wife, who now deals poker at the inn of the mountain gods can not attend because that weekend is "blacked out" meaning she can not ask for the weekend off.
We have a new baby and only one car, so I will be counting on my mother in law to free me up to attend.
I am up against a whole lot!
My mother in law came up here with a very nasty, ignorant, and troublesome street cadaver of a boyfriend who is a drug addict, a user, and a parasite on all of us. she is trying to find a place to live so she can get away from him, but he is a major stumbling block against her being able to make plans and commit to them.
She is also a little flaky and may agree to stay at my house and help my wife get through the weekend without me, but end up traveling to Mississippi instead to get one of her grandkids.
This is very important to me, and I have a duty to present Worm at the World's End's copy of "the Last Dark" for an autograph. If I can not make it I will be sending his book and mine up there with Sgt. Null, but I will feel really cheated if I can't make it this time.
I hope to record a song about the Thomas Covenant series and make a video for it to be viewed by attendees and presented as a gift to SRD, but with our new baby I barely have a chance to pick up my guitar these days.
Wish me luck, because I would just die if I missed this.
I plan on staying through the field trip this time, and as I will be alone I would like it if somebody can tell me where I can camp out in my tent near Albuquerque. Can you recommend a campsite, Danlo?

Aliantha: $5 for a copy of "A Maiden's War" for you to sign, please!

You can camp in my back yard, but you'll need to break down for parties and KEEP IT CLEAN DAMMIT!

thanks, Danlo

Ali may have to hire a truck; I'm going to ask for copies as well.

Hear ye, Eurofolk! I asked about the functionality of European phones/SIM cards in America from a friend who visited the States two years back, and the SIM cards don't necessarily work. I was adviced to test mine first and then buy a pre-paid American SIM card on the airport (hers cost about 30$). So as I theoretically might have a different number during my stay, it would be nice if I could exchange relevant information (Also names! I doubt I will find something in the lines of Loric Vilesilencer in the local phonebook. ) with a) the Santa Fe company b) anyone who wanted their birthdays celebrated before the fest c) someone of the arrangers so I don't miss the entire event, etc.
I probably will have internet access in the hotel, although with my 5-year-old mobile, the wifi is always a question mark. I cannot afford a new phone right now.

She also suggested pre-arranging one meeting with someone (Locals? Early arrivers?) in case all phones die and the Worm eats the internet.

Savor Dam wrote:Good to hear from you, Lore...even if you are not coming. Glad you were here last time; was a pleasure to meet you.

Thank you for noticing, Savor.

Loremaster wrote:

Savor Dam wrote:Good to hear from you, Lore...even if you are not coming. Glad you were here last time; was a pleasure to meet you.

Thank you for noticing, Savor.

but you must come. I will miss you terribly if you do not.

it was a fight, but I have the days off from work. Julie and I will be staying at the KOA's throughout our trip. we will be hitting Carlsbad again and then after E-Fest heading to the Grand Canyon.

I am praying that Coz can make it.

Ali - how many books in the series?

and I must get a picture of the Vietnamese Paul Bunyan this time.

E-fest, eh?