As you know I lived in the mountains of NM for 14 years.
I was thinking today of if I heard one more time from
someone that hasn't really lived anywhere outside of their
safety zone - "People are all the same everywhere you live."
I'd puke. Until you've experienced it, let me tell you that
regional differences, culture, and people are different
even in different parts of this country! You'd be surprised
at the number of people in the United States that think
the state of New Mexico is part of old Mexico. So I was
thinking today of someone who never traveled through
NM before suddenly doing so. And here are a few tips for
ya:
*Upon ordering breakfast in a restaurant, expect to be
asked if you want tortilla or toast. Many people do eat
tortillas with their eggs.
*Ah while we're on the subject of restaurants - let's not
forget the one question you'll hear a lot upon ordering in
New Mexico - "Red or Green?" OF COURSE they are
referring to red or green chile, not to be confused with the
chili dish one eats in the midwest of hamburger, tomato
sauce, and beans. It is common for an outsider to immediately
reply to this question with "Which one is hotter, red or green?"
(Insert buzzer sound here) That is not the correct answer.
You see, it varies upon restaurant which chile is hotter (usually).
ASK the waitress which one is better, as most chile is made from
scratch there at the restaurant that very day, and the waitress
will be delighted to be asked a question she can actually answer.
A general rule of thumb is the green chile is hotter. But this
depends on the chile pepper.
*People in NM tend to have an accent. No it's not a heavy
southern drawl, or even twang. But the way to recognize
a local versus a tourist is how they pronounce the words
with 'r' in them. New Mexico people tend to roll their 'r's,
kind of a variation with the Spanish language I'm thinking.
Ask them to say words like 'fire' and you'll know what I'm
talking about.
*Unless you are traveling to New Mexico in July or August,
or are going to extreme southern NM, be sure to take a
heavy coat, hat, mittens or gloves, etc. The weather can be
positively anything!
*Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT shellfish! Do NOT order
them if you do not know what they are!! (Google it if
you don't believe me).
*New Mexico by and large is a democratic state. Pretend if
you are not a liberal. Or unless you find other republicans.
*Do NOT just take a highway you see on the map as a shortcut,
unless you REALLY know that road and have traveled it
before! You could end up lost in the mountains and New
Mexican's will hear about you on the local news as Search
and Rescue went out looking for you. If you do decide to
take a 'scenic' route, fill up your gas tank, go potty, and eat
first! Better yet take some snacks with you! And just DON'T
do it from October through April!
*Sopapillas - be aware that in NM sopas are NOT a little
hard pastry dessert type item. Sopapillas are a fluffy pastry
type bread that you can eat before, during, or after dinner.
Many restaurants serve complimentary sopas before you
even get the menu. Yes honey is still good with them, usually
there is not any cinammon on them though.
*Water - Don't waste water! Many areas don't have it to spare.
*Bears and other critters - Yes NM has black bear, mountain
lions, and bobcats, as well as other critters. When you hear
someone say to take everything edible out of your car before
locking it up for the night - believe them. This means everything,
including cantaloupe, chocolate, granola bars, etc. Do not
leave your McDonald's wrappers near your door or tent. You
will have a visitor! I cannot tell you how many times I heard
the story of someone who had relatives visiting from out of state,
and they told them to take all food out of the car. The next
morning they awoke and the windows were smashed or something.
The visitors response was always something like - "Well I never
thought bears liked cantaloupe!" When they say take all food
away from your campsite or out of your car, LISTEN TO THEM.
*The people - ah yes they are different than what you might be used
to. There is a certain independence about them. This often times
comes over as having an 'attitude'. While Colorado identifies
more with the west, NM really identifies with themselves. Just
be persistent and patient and you can get along with them!
