When I travel, I like to get away from the tourist spots and into the heart of the area. This is sometimes hard to do when I'm only in a place for a short period of time. Locals don't always want to share their non-tourist spots with, well, tourists. I get that. On the other hand, I'm pretty good at striking up conversations with strangers, and I can usually gain their trust. I'm hoping to capitalize on those traits during my upcoming trip. So far, I have come up with only two definite things to do: eating at a restaurant lauded by my boyfriend (Anthony Bourdain, in case you didn't know -- he doesn't know yet, but someday he will) and going on a llama trek. I'm not entirely sure what a llama trek is, but it's weird and exotic (and inexpensive) enough that I have to do it.
One of my guidebooks from the library (if I decide it's worthy, I'll buy a copy) suggests renting a bicycle to ride through one of the nearby parks or at the foothills below Santa Fe. I think the foothills will be best. I don't know how long it takes to adapt to the thinner high-altitude air. You'd think I would remember from my other trips there, but I don't. The guidebook also mentions several great ephemera shops, most of the consignment stores; I know I'll ending up popping into those. I'm filling my suitcase only half-full so it will accommodate my purchases, which will probably mainly Christmas gifts. How cool is it to be going two-thirds of the way across the country a month before Christmas?!
I want crazy (in a good way), kitschy, and cool. I want to do what everyone doesn't. If you have any suggestions, please pass them along.
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