Sometimes being in a place on your own attracts like souls like you — and I’m so grateful.
I made a quick 3-day trip out to Albuquerque, New Mexico this past August because, why the hell not? I had some extra time to embrace my free bird, book a flight, and explore someplace new. My good friends in Incubus were performing that Friday night at Rio Rancho Events Center and Michael Einziger was gracious enough to let me hang, jam and learn more about his new skincare company Mother Science.
Sometimes trips like these can be a little anxiety-inducing when you have no plan, no agenda, and no familiarity with your whereabouts. It would also be my first time traveling without my love (who I love so much and thank him for truly understanding my whimsical ways and dropping me off at the airport during the wee hours of a weekday morning).
Check out my “Reflections Backstage with Incubus” post here.
Day 1: Arrival
That Thursday morning I eased into my 7am flight (that was delayed two hours) and sleepily wandered around LAX airport and wrote some reflections in my journal. I landed by noon and called an Uber to the Tamaya Resort & Spa (easily one of the nicest places I have ever stayed in). That day I was able to just enjoy the sun, the Albuquerque thunder and rain to sun, and engage in some conversations that had me think about youth, my upbringing, the power of music to save a life, my aging body, running, and the confidence that comes from what comes naturally to you.
Day 2: Free Friday from the Mountains to Incubus
I had a free afternoon before Friday’s Incubus show and decided to book a tram ride up the Sandia Mountain Peak, one of Albuquerque’s most popular tourist attractions. I was able to take in the sweet, sultry desert vibes and calm mountain peaks that New Mexico had to offer. It really was a sight to see, as I roamed about and saw couples and families traveling together. A part of me missed my love, as I wasn’t able to experience and see these sights with him (is that how you know you’re in love?). On top of that mountain during a very low moment during the trip, I met a fellow female solo hiker who I caught conversation with during the tram ride down. We talked about her life in environmental sustainability, her doing a podcast, how she moved here a few years ago and works completely remote and loves it, and loves meeting other artists, creatives and community people, especially from a city like Los Angeles.
Her conversation really sparked a light in me as the pure joy and passion her work gave her exuded from her — something I have been looking for and craving for myself — and I was so stoked to hear more about her work and podcast.
From my Uber driver who offered to drive me around and show me Albuquerque (um, no?!) to the heartwarming ex-police officer and veteran who picked me up from the Sandia Mountain Tramway to Incubus on Friday night who told me about his life of crime, stopping drug dealers, helping his dying family members and being so grateful that he is still living to this day (heartwarming, for sure), it made me so happy to meet and talk with people from all these different walks of life. It’s as if that “inner journalist” in me that has always been present — my passion, curiosity and excitement for witnessing, hearing and documenting the human experience — was reignited.
To add to that, the Friday Incubus show side-stage was a memorable experience. The show was packed, the energy was electric, the other VIPs beside me onstage were so welcoming. I got to talking to the huge group of Filipinos that were next to me at the show backstage, who were DJ Kilmore’s friends, and we got to spend a whole night just hanging, drinking, taking tequila shots and reflecting on past tours and shows in Manila to Albuquerque until 1am. The group felt super comforting and familiar, like old friends I haven’t seen in a while. They talked about their past lives living in Los Angeles and recent move to New Mexico (cheaper housing and better quality-of-life, they noted). We drove around town as they showed me their “hood” (not much to see, to be honest). The fact they were around my age and friends that were trusted by Kilmore himself, made the hang all the more comforting and heartwarming. It was a night to remember by us all, as the long night continued on and I met friends from the Philippines to Los Angeles to a Miss Philippines gone to the U.S. Navy (salute you, Kait!). There’s something about Filipinos meeting other Filipinos in a new city where you become immediate family and share some core memories together, and I’m here for it.
Day 3: My Solo Send-off and Day to Roam Albuquerque
That Saturday was my last day at the resort to have a quiet morning and sleep in, shower, enjoy the resort’s food and desert sun and finally make a trip to downtown Albuquerque. I was quite isolated the whole trip and wasn’t able to freely roam Albuquerque, so I changed my morning flight to the late afternoon give myself a full day to explore and window-shop and get my best wandering soul on.
I saw the old Mission, dropped by for a yummy tea latte at a local coffee shop, walk through a locals art gallery, visit the famed Breaking Bad store, and get my fill of Albuquerque.
There’s something about the slow-paced lifestyle that always calls to me. A friend used to say to me that as you grow older, you naturally try to recreate the kind of environment you grew up in.
Solo trips can be weird especially when you’re in love, but I like to think things like these can only deepen and test your love.
The love for nature, outdoors, community, and the warmth of the Albuquerque people was really felt here. From the friendly drivers and locals taking me around town and eager to chat, to the Filipinos taking me in saying they were so happy and lucky to have met me (maybe nights like these are hard to come by in a town like Albuquerque), to the sweet lady who drove me to the airport and said I have to come back, the love felt for this town was so palpable.
Being in a place on your own can be scary, but I’m so lucky to have met these people who have been so sweet and warm and welcoming to me. Making new friends and sharing some really special moments on this short trip left a real imprint on my heart. And I’ve a feeling it’s because this trip made me come alive again.
My knack for meeting people, sharing conversations as a lone traveler, enjoying the music and intertwining myself in that world, and exploring new places as the free-spirit I am, was all properly engaged. And I couldn’t be happier.
A solo trip can truly make you come alive and become your best self all over again.
Thank you for the good times Albuquerque. ‘Til next time 
#quirkyinalbuquerque
With love and honesty,
Rachel
beauty within 