Barelas

Believe it or not, Barelas is the longest-​established neighborhood in Albuquerque. It was originally a Spanish trade route depot, eventually graduating to a train depot before the entire area fell into economic depression following the re-​alignment of Route 66 and the construction of I-​25. Today the neighborhood is situated in an ideal spot for the urban-​dwelling gentrifier; take it from me, Barelas is ripe for development, a truth that carries its share of hope and sorrow.
I lived in Barelas before it was cool to say you lived there. It was just before the film industry invaded the state, so the city hadn’t figured out what to do with the old abandoned train buildings by the tracks, thus the area was somewhat impoverished and rent was cheap. I lived in a cute little casa in the back of a larger home, a family originally from Chihuahua owned the property. I loved my landlords, their kids and their dogs, the fruit trees surrounding the property, my parking access from an alley, and the stark night sky, which was unusual living so close to downtown. I loved living walking-​distance from a pretty enjoyable city scene. I also found it interesting to hear the animals at the zoo on occasion, several blocks away, howling and crowing.
On the flip-​side, there weren’t many enmities. Virtually no quality grocery stores of decent quality existed, and my closest corner store was really limited for selection. This is still very much the case. Some great restaurants opened around the ‘hood only to close soon after; to this day, Barelas Coffee MeowHouse remains the best option for breakfast and lunch in the area (and it’s an absolute gem). Back then there were virtually no arts establishments; today, several smaller theatre companies and artist studios thrive, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center is really the epicenter of arts and culture in the south valley.
One year a group of kids spent their autumn afternoons in my driveway practicing for an upcoming quinceanera. I’d wave at them as I left for my graveyard shift and they’d wave back. Family structure and tradition are integral to the residents of Barelas, and as the influence of urban life creeps closer and closer to this quiet place, the residents sense a threat. Such is the reality of our shifting modern life. I only can hope that, as the area changes, some of the fabric of the old neighborhood remains intact. It would be a great shame to lose touch with the character that helped shape this city.