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Well, there are a few characters in Chama, but I've been going there for four decades for both business and pleasure and East LA it is not. Pretty much you're typical northern New Mexico town. I have a number of good friends there, most of them Hispanic, with a couple that could easily look like the ones in the Google Map photo. The ones I know are pretty normal folks--law-abiding citizens. By the way, I'm a middle-aged Anglo and I get along with the folks in Chama just fine--never felt unsafe there. Now, as I've posted before, if you go into that town, or many in New Mexico, with a big, fat yuppie chip on your shoulder, you may get it knocked off. Treat folks with some normal decency and respect and you should be fine.
As to the trailers, etc., there is no denying that New Mexico (like a lot of Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states) can be pretty improverished in its rural areas. Always has been, and probably always will be--the geography has a lot to do with that.
Well, there are a few characters in Chama, but I've been going there for four decades for both business and pleasure and East LA it is not. Pretty much you're typical northern New Mexico town. I have a number of good friends there, most of them Hispanic, with a couple that could easily look like the ones in the Google Map photo. The ones I know are pretty normal folks--law-abiding citizens. By the way, I'm a middle-aged Anglo and I get along with the folks in Chama just fine--never felt unsafe there. Now, as I've posted before, if you go into that town, or many in New Mexico, with a big, fat yuppie chip on your shoulder, you may get it knocked off. Treat folks with some normal decency and respect and you should be fine.
As to the trailers, etc., there is no denying that New Mexico (like a lot of Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states) can be pretty improverished in its rural areas. Always has been, and probably always will be--the geography has a lot to do with that.
Jazzlover, I don't expect to move to something like Silver City and act like it is New York City or a nice clean suburb of Atlanta. What I expect is a small town quiet atmosphere where people are respectful of each other, they know each other etc. I for sure don't expect cars driving by every few minutes with windows down, music and screaming. I also don't expect weird characters hanging out on corners staring you down.
But to label people as "yuppies" for wanting to have a quiet, undisturbed time in in a town of 10,000 (or 5,000 or 2,000) is on the other end of the spectrum. I treat everyone I meet with respect and most of the time just keep to myself anyways but take that photo from Google street maps as an example - I don't know those folks but I don't think we would be great friends. Driving by them would not make me feel very safe. Maybe they are law abiding but maybe not. Either way, that photo makes the place look weird.
Since I was born and raised in Europe maybe my expectation of a small town is very skewed....
I was talking to a friend about San Antonio, New Mexico and she said that there was no way in hell that she could see me moving to TEXAS. I did a double take and told her there was a San Antonio in New Mexico. Some other friends are also concerned that we would bake the incredibly high temperatures. Then I have to explain that Albuquerque is not Phoenix and is usually about 25 deg cooler. After a long conversation with a buddy connected with the VLA I'll have to add Magdalena to possible retirement or snowbird towns.
Jazzlover, I don't expect to move to something like Silver City and act like it is New York City or a nice clean suburb of Atlanta. What I expect is a small town quiet atmosphere where people are respectful of each other, they know each other etc. I for sure don't expect cars driving by every few minutes with windows down, music and screaming. I also don't expect weird characters hanging out on corners staring you down.
But to label people as "yuppies" for wanting to have a quiet, undisturbed time in in a town of 10,000 (or 5,000 or 2,000) is on the other end of the spectrum. I treat everyone I meet with respect and most of the time just keep to myself anyways but take that photo from Google street maps as an example - I don't know those folks but I don't think we would be great friends. Driving by them would not make me feel very safe. Maybe they are law abiding but maybe not. Either way, that photo makes the place look weird.
Since I was born and raised in Europe maybe my expectation of a small town is very skewed....
You're too hung up on your preconceptions about appearances. The northern New Mexico culture is different than most places. The mix of Native American and Hispanic cultures means that you will see more guys with ponytails, braids, bandanas, etc. Yes, to many Eastern US and Midwest sensibilities they may look like unsavory characters, but most aren't. They make the place look "weird" to you, but for down there, it's "normal." One of my best friends in Chama, a guy who would probably die for me (he's just that caring of a guy), for years wore a bandana or beret and had a braid clear down his back. He's since cut his braid shorter (he's now over 60 and he lamented that it was getting pretty gray). I'm sure if you saw him you might have the impression that he was a guy you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, but you would be wrong in that impression. If I ran into a guy who looked like him in east LA, I, too, might worry--in Chama, no.
I think cholos in dresses are sooo funny! Nice pic capture!
Terrifying!!!!
I have an invitation to take a test at the City of ELP but I am thinking with a new job in LC, I will not be able to make it to an interview, if I got the invitation to. I think I made my mind, Las Cruces it is and I am very happy to get out of this Las Vegas dirt!! G L A D!!!!
I had a friend recently ask me if you needed a passport visit me.
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Nice pic capture!
