Back to ABQ and it was bright sunshine, mid sixties. We stayed at the El Vado which describes itself as a boutique motel. It was a one floor motel with doors facing a courtyard. Lobby was a hip bar that hosted a pop-up comedy show which we were lucky to catch the end of. A few doors down was their sister motel which boasted a hip cocktail lounge. I was there less than ten minutes before I broke a coffee mug.

El Vado and the Monterey Motel

Back on the train now. We are moving but at a walking pace and I’m not sure why. Like with every long distance train we have been on, present are several Amish families. Playing   cards I caught one such family staring at me while I shuffled. Speaking Pennsylvania Dutch (which to my ear sounds almost Gaelic) they occasionally pointed at me while laughing. Were they in awe of my shuffling skills? Or maybe my loud shuffling was just a bit too much for them. I wanted to do my best Joe Pesci impression (What, am I clown, do I amuse you?) but thought it would go over their heads.