El Paso and the drive to Alamogordo

Before finally departing from Dallas Fort Worth Airport, we felt in need of sustenance for the onward journey, and because we happened to be sitting right next to it, we opted to try out the food and drink at TheTequileria. The name might just offer a hint at the type of liquid refreshment on offer, but we weren't just there for the tequila, but for good wholesome food (hee hee!). We approached the receptionist/hostess and asked to look at the menu. We decided on salads, Audrey opting for a fresh fruit salad, and I, venturing in to the unknown decided to try a Jicam Salad. This promised tomatoes and cucumbers over jicama. Now not being expert in Mexican culinary matters, I had not a clue about the nature of a jicama. Naturally I asked the young lady what jicama was and she looked at me asconce (I think that meanls with puzzled amazement) - "How do I know/" she responded, "I don't speak Spanish". She must have realised from the expression on our faces that this wasn't the answer we had expected, and so offered to find out from someone who did (..speak Spanish, that is.) A tall young woman with short dark hair came over and explained that the jicama was like a fruit, but a vegetable, and that it was nutty and a bit like a pear. Having cleared that up, we went to a table and placed our order for two Imperial Margheritas and the aforementioned salads. After a couple of sips of the margherita, I didn't really care what a jicama was, but when it arrived I was slightly puzled. Audrey's fruit platter was exactly that - a platter of fresh pineapple, melon, mango and strawberries. Mine was a very l;arge plater of what looked like raw chips with a smattering of finely diced tomatoes on top, and liberally coated with pepper. So this was what a jicama was. Hmmm - ythe taste test. Not bad... bit like very mild turnip

. I'm sure it must be very good for you, particularly if your digestive system is suffering from too many hours of sedentary travel. Having consumed about 75% of the salad, and supplemented it with a little of the fruit which Audrey had saved for me, I felt replete, and gently refused the offer of a takeout bag. We then concentrated on finishing the less healthy tequila option and made our way the 50 yards to check in at the AA Gate, gliding smoothly across the floor, with slightly foolish grins on our faces. We waited for abbout half an hour before boarding the aircraft which then proceeded to take off on time to fly us to El Paso. The inevitable packet of corn nibbles and soft drink was proffered by Colette, our flight attendant for today's flight. The flight was uneventful until we approached El Paso, but the landscape below was fascijnating. For the most paert it was very flat, and at times lookedd like a multi-coloured printed circuit board. Irfrigation and agricultural patterns were amazing - multi-coloured circles of varying diameters. If you want to see what they look like, use Google Eartjh to fly to the part of Texas,west of Abilene. Of course there were also hundreds of oil wells.

The captain had warned us that because of the gust winds in El Paso it might be  little bumpy as we came in to land  - and it was. The horizon was masked by dust-storms, and the mountains were also hidden by what looked like yellow mist.

We touched down successfully and made our way through the air;port, to find Peter and Doreen waiting for us. Afte big hugs all round, we collected our bags and made our way outside. Yes!!!! It was about 80 degrees F, and the gusty wind was no great hardship at that temperature. We found the car and set off on the drive to Alamogordo. Once on the Inter State Highway we followed along a rail road track for many miles, and even saw a train.We passed a penitent

iary, an old gold mining town (Oro Grande), and came to an immigration control set forty miles inside the US, designed to catch out illegal immigrants who might b that stage think they have made it. We showed our various IDs and carried on until we reached Alamogordo, a sprawling town of single storey buildings, with towering  mountains just to the East of it. We had a brief tour of the surroundings before arriving at P & D's house, where on the press of a button the garage door opened and we drove straight in.

Having freshened up and had a cup of tea, we then went out for something to eat at Margot's Mexican Restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed Margot's Special, ($6.25 instead of $7.95), which consisted of beef taco, cheese and onion enchiladas, refried beans, guacamole and spanish rice, all washed down with iced water with lemon. Audrey had the same, and enjoyed everything but the guacamole, which was surprisingly spicy.

Conveniently Margot's is situated next to a large WalMart, so we did some shopping, comparing prices and then returned 'home', where we enjoyed a pleasant libation and looked at some photos of Tim and Claire's house in Spain. Ventured to the Land of Nod just after 11.00..