Sometimes a road warrior just needs a little down time. In old town Albuquerque, a quiet stroll and a leisurely meal fit the bill. The old section of town is a bit ragged around the edges. Shops have closed and the tourist traffic is light. But the streets and adobe buildings have a magic all their own.

A visit to San Felipe de Nero is absolutely on the agenda. Founded in 1706, it is one of the oldest buildings in town. It is lovely and peaceful. There is beautiful chapel, a small museum, and even a small Catholic store. The mission days don’t seem that distant from the interior of the compound.

The streets are quiet yet festive. I spend time wandering among shops. The squash blossom necklaces are thousands of dollars of crafted genius. And there are thousands of them to peruse. Sadly, they are out of my price range, but lovely to look at all the same.

I buy a peasant blouse and Christmas gifts while humming along to Mariachi music. The streets scream fiesta with colorful flags and autumn blooms. Shopping and dancing is a great way to spend the early evening.

At a restaurant called Casa del Sol, I indulged in a platter of Mexican tortillas, salsa, frijoles, and arroz. Delicious and just what I needed. I linger over my meal enjoying the atmosphere. Old town may not be the “it” destination, but it hasn’t lost its charm.