Route 66 (3) – Lost in Time with Candlelight.

To be honest: Route 66 between Illinois and Oklahoma is as exciting as the Autobahn between Wuppertal and Herne in Germany. That means fields, fields, electrical towers, fields and scruffy advertisements alongside the road.

Swallowed by beauty. Better than death by tornado. Oh by the way: I met Simon and Michael from my storm day again. We came together in Tucumcari to have Mexican dinner. There are special vibes between those people traveling Route 66 and the people living alongside of that historical road. Everyone out here knows that it is not just a dream-road but everyday a new challenge. Everyone stands together, gives hugs and best wishes. Moreover, it is common, to yell “Awesome!” and “Wow!” all the way with a big smile on your face.

The next day I arrived in Santa Fe. Guys, this city is so different from everything else in the United States. Like Venice in Italy is different from all the other cities in Europe. Squarish adobe buildings in Pueblo style were framing the cute streets. Everything looked warm and quiet. About 300 art galleries, potteries, jewelry shops and fantastic restaurants had to be discovered. I took all the time I needed and wasted the whole day by talking to artists and just lingering around. Turquoise tiles and wooden beads all around. I’m not sure if I have seen clocks in Santa Fe. But I’m sure they would have no hands in that place 6,500 feet elevated and surrounded by snow-capped mountains and red sand.

My next ride took me down the beautiful Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. 65 miles of scenic road and wonderful little villages.

My favorite one has been Madrid. Gosh, I loved that place. A former ghost town occupied by Hippies now. It was a magical journey back in time with incredible pieces of art and extremely welcoming people. A purple diner stood next to a green jewelry store and a yellow pottery. This town only has one main street but I spent my whole day there. The smell of joss sticks was in the air. So if somebody has stolen the hands of the clocks in Santa Fe then there are definitely no clocks in Madrid at all. I was feeling like Momo in Arabian Nights with some breadcrumbs of Hansel and Gretel.

Only a few days later I left New Mexico to head to Arizona. That’s what a long term journey is about: Leaving. Following roads and trails. To stay nowhere. But everything will stay in my heart.

Now I’m off to the big National Parks in Utah and Arizona. The treasure chest of architecture and roadside attractions will be closed for a while but the door to Nature’s wonders opens. I’m just thinking about a song from Iggy Pop: We'll see the bright and hollow sky. We'll see the stars that shine so bright. The sky was made for us tonight. Oh the passenger, he rides and he rides.