Balloon Fiesta!!!

Albuquerque is known for their Balloon Fiesta. (If you have never heard of it.... It's okay! I had no clue what it was until I moved here.) Every October, for a week and a half, hundred of people and balloons come to Albuquerque from all around the world. Doesn't sound that excited.... but trust me, it's AWESOME!!!

During this week of festivities...... this is what I see every morning on my way to class! Hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky, equals one big smile on my face, and motivation to actually get up and go to class!

The balloons literally land all over the place. In the middle of street, parking lots.....

Pictures do not to it justice..... It truly is breathtaking.... as odd as this may sound to those who do not live in New Mexico. Anyway..... they could just do this every morning and I think all would be content. But this is just part of "Balloon Fiesta" week. This is just the balloon launch. They do it every morning (if weather permits) at around 6:45-7:45. They have chase crews to follow the balloons, and bring them back to the park. At the park there is tailgating, tons and tons of food, bands, shops and campers everywhere! At night they have "special-shape glowdeos", "night glows"..... different themes every night.... and awesome firework shows to follow.

These cute little bees are my favorite!!! They are considered some of the "special shaped" balloons.

Darth Vader Balloon.... came from China. You know you live in a crazy place when this was the highlight of the news every night for weeks before the fiesta..... "stay tuned to see why Darth Vader may be stuck in China and not make it to Albuquerque this year for balloon fiesta...."

View of the balloon launch from the eye of "balloon fiesta park"

Night Glow

Erik and I last year at the "special-shapes glowdeo." They do a count down, and
at the same time all the cute balloons light up.So this year...... I got to see balloons almost every morning driving to Albuquerque. Erik works in the opposite direction, and doesn't get to see the balloons. We planned a few mornings to get up early and make it to the balloon launch at the park..... never happened. The very last morning of "balloon fiesta" we were determined to make it to the farewell launch!! We got up at 5am, and headed into Albuquerque (20 minute drive). We parked at one of the park and rides (parking at the actual park is ridiculous!) got some hot chocolate and hopped on the bus. We were feeling pretty special because they didn't make us pay to park or ride the bus (normally $25 a person)!

These smiles quickly faded when we heard the reasoning of why we didn't have to pay..... the launch had been postponed due to high winds that made it too dangerous to fly (and by high winds.... and mean I very VERY slight breeze). When we were almost to the park.... over the radio, we heard the the farewell balloon launch had been officially canceled. We were sooooo upset!!!! They told us the park was not charging anyone to go in (normally $20 a person), but everything was still open (shops, food places, etc.) We decided to at least go into the park and have some breakfast, considering we did wake up at 5am! We got to see all the pilots packing up their balloons....
Looked around some of the shops.....
Ate some breakfast..... (please excuse the way we look..... it was 5am!!!) P.s. I know we look freezing cold and all bundled up, and that's because we were!.... but it was probably about 53 degrees at this time..... We really take advantage of this New Mexico weather!
Despite that fact we were extremely disipointed about not seeing the balloon launch and waking up so dang early!!!! All in all, it was still a good morning :). Got to spend some time with the love of my life.... we were on the news..... had lots and lots of laughs..... had some delicious food.... and saved about $100 that we would've had to spend. Look at the positive side, right?! There's always next year! I look forward to you, Balloon Fiesta 2010!!!

(Thanks to Christen and Stephan for the sweet pictures....... we live vicariously through you!!)