Red or Green?

Albuquerque has many quirky things about it, but the most prevalent by far is the question you will be asked at almost every eating establishment... "Red or Green?" For those of you who are not familiar with this phrase, allow me to translate...

New Mexican: "Red or Green?"
English: "Would you like us to drench your meal in red or green chile?"

Notice how they do not give you an option for 'no chile.' For those people who do not like spicy things and say 'no chile' are given dirty looks and I am sure talked about behind their backs. Who wouldn't want chile?!



Sometimes the waitress will get advanced and asked "Red, Green or Christmas?" which translates into "Would you like us to drown your food in red chile, green chile, or a mix of both?" These people must have cast iron stomachs.

New Mexico is known for their Green Chile. You will find it everywhere. Literally everywhere. Here is a short list of things these people put green chiles on:
- pizza
- Subway sandwiches
- McDonalds cheeseburgers
- any 'New Mexican' food
- breakfast burritos

and the list goes on and on.



I actually enjoy the chile. I have enjoyed all the food down here. I don't do well with lots of spice, so I am usually coughing and chugging water the first few bites, but then my body seems to ignore it and lets me eat in peace. Life is good.

Land of 'Entrapment'

I meet people who are from Albuquerque... been here their entire lives... and have no desire to leave. I have even met people who have left... moved to Denver and LA... then CAME BACK to the big Q... WHAT?!?

At this point, I am afraid that I am surrounded by crazy people. What is more scary is when I ask these people WHY they want to stay or WHY they moved back almost all of them have said, "Yeah... we joke that New Mexico is the 'Land of Entrapment'." Yikes!

On one hand I want to embrace this city and love what it offers. At the same time I am worried about getting too attached and not being able to move away!

So far... their mountains have become more picturesque to me... uh oh... is this the beginning?!