The tiniest rangoli I saw in India

Usually I saw it all across the entry, as wide as the door, or in a central walking area. This was interestingly in the only available space. :-)

(If it is rangoli and not something else.)

Here are the beginnings of a larger one, in Bangalore, the neighbors of Hema's parents. The girl in the foreground in profile is Zoya, Hema's daughter.

Another little change (temperature considerations)

Summary: Shoes, and more warm clothes

I'm finding all the places I hadn't changed webpages, and am (still) updating for the new site (with the help of Mia Flore, who's coming from Kirkland, Washington with her husband and daughter).

This has changed, and I've removed it:

The hotel is all one building, so if kids are the rooms, they can get to where we are or back barefooted and in pajamas on carpetted hallways, and it's only a two-story building, so as safety in buildings goes, this is a good one.

The new hotel is three buildings, small and close. The conference rooms are separate, but only maybe fifteen feet from the main two-storey building. Still, people will need shoes and maybe a jacket to get back and forth.

As safety goes, the area between the buildings is fenced, and that's good! Kids can't easily wander into the parking lot.

One year it was 64 F degrees (about 18 C) in the daytime at this site, but there's really no tellin', with Albuquerque.

Back to the jackets, though:
A light jacket, hoodie, or sweater for in and out of the conference center will probably work.

When we go on the tram up to Sandia Crest, it is likely to be 30 degrees colder up there and windy, Even there, it's just a quick dash from the tram car to a warm building, but you will probably want to walk around a bit outside, and it WILL be cold. Thermal underwear and down jackets would not be unreasonable. Definitely a scarf, cap, or both I hope it's the only time you'll need such warm clothes, but DO bring warm things!!

Site Change (Yikes!)

Something very odd happened. The hotel we've used before was suddenly sold to developers, and will close at the end of November. I got a call last Wednesday morning, halfway through the unschooling chat. It was quite distracting!

After some search and research, we will be just around the corner, at the Howard Johnson's, at the same rates, with the same contract and arrangements.

If you had a reservation, it will be transferred. Give them a few days (today was the day the list was to be delivered by the wonderful Clyde Wanatee, the events manager at our old place).

Clyde not only found other hotels for me to interview, he drove me there and helped me out. What a guy! It looks like he's already got another job lined up, too, as events manager at a newer hotel near the airport. If he gets that job, that might be where we go next year.

BUT FOR NOW:

The good news is the rooms are nicer, and for $20 more you can get a suite. (New information is at the hotel link above, if you want to call them and upgrade.) There are also adjoining rooms you could request if you're getting two rooms.

Their pets fee is a bit more, but they're still pet-friendly. (No pets in the conference center, though.)

There isn't an elevator (same as the Ramada), so if stair are a problem, request ground floor.

They have breakfast. We're closer to Target, and they have groceries, so the list of food is still true except that it might be easier to drive to Sadies or The Owl Cafe if it's cold. They're near, but there are hotels and fences between us and them now. There is an Applebee's that's nearer to this one. An easy walk if it's not too wintry.

We can still have food in the conference center. This is unusual, for hotels in the world, and much appreciated. You might not need to go out for lunch or dinner, if we gather up enough finger-food to share. Or Keith's willing to make a pizza run. :-)

Wednesday I was very afraid.
By Friday, I was happily relieved.
I'm VERY glad it happened last week and not THIS week, because this Wednesday we will be driving to Las Vegas for Marty's wedding. We get back Friday night (Keith and Holly and I; Marty is riding out with us, and will be in Puerto Rico on his honeymoon) and Holly leaves for India on Sunday.

There was another hotel I seriously considered. Sleeping rooms were great, meeting rooms were crummy, but all they had within walking distance was a Burger King, a bar-and-grill (mostly bar, said the manager), and a fancy steak house. So that made me realize that what I really was going to miss was that Target parking lot with all the restaurants. :-) That tipped it.

Another advantage is that I didn't need to change the distances on the new list of museums! :-)

If you find references to the Ramada that I need to change, at any of the links, please let me know!

Museums added to FAQ

IF you're coming early or staying past New Year's Day, there are museums in Albuquerque you might like to see. The 26th is a good possibility, or the afternoon of the 30th is a possibility, but I think they're all closed on New Year's Day.

If you don't see them this trip, consider them if you pass through Albuquerque again. I've added links and notes at the bottom of the FAQ page.

Until they notice I've linked directly, maybe you can see this:



NICE! A mystery!! Click it to see the rest of the art, and where it lives. The site itself is fun even if you can't visit.