By: Jennifer Ziemba
The skies over Albuquerque in early October are nothing short of breathtaking. The vibrant reds, blues and yellows cascade over the desert landscape transforming the typical brown back drop into a magical scene surrounding those nearby.
Not being from New Mexico I didn’t know much about ballooning. We had a small local airport where maybe 5 balloons at most would go up and I thought that was the coolest thing. I would see those 5 balloons floating above the houses and people waving down at the onlookers, but that was nothing compared to what I encountered when I moved here. No one prepared me for what was coming in October.
Imagine my surprise driving down 25 at 8am during Balloon Fiesta and not knowing what I was about to encounter. First there were just hundreds and hundreds of specks in the sky. That alone was awesome, but I drove closer. Soon I was surrounded by majestic colors and shapes all around me. There were hot air balloons above me, to my left and to my right. The balloons were so close I could hear the fire and see the smiles on the rider’s faces. Pure joy was exuded from their faces. I drove through those balloons for what seemed like forever. It gave me a sense of calm and wonderment. Almost like I was transported to a different world. A world of pure peace and contentment. A world full of vibrant colors and fun shapes partnered with excitement and jubilation.
Not being from here means I didn’t get to experience the feelings these balloons can invoke. When you are from here you are used to the beauty of hundreds of balloons floating past your window, but when you aren’t from here it is magical. Looking out the window and seeing a penguin balloon just floating past is nothing short of miraculous. Hearing the fire from your window brings a different sense of excitement that I had never experienced before. I wanted to experience the entire thing in person. I wanted to go to the mass ascension.
Arriving before the sun comes up in layers of clothing and lugging chairs to the perfect spot is all part of one of the best experiences I have ever had in my many years here on earth. My children and my parents went with me for the mass ascension. The word “mass” alone invokes images of grandeur and extreme. And that is exactly what occurred.
First the dawn patrol went up and lit up the dark sky. That was pretty awesome in itself. Then the all clear was called and the green flag was raised. Soon the entire field was covered in baskets and balloons. All of them were beginning to inflate with the sounds of fire and laughter. I had my breakfast burrito and pinon coffee in hand while watching the hundreds of balloons pop up one by one and then take off with loud cheers and screaming. It was like a rock show for balloons. Each time one went up there was more and more cheering.
Finally the last balloon took off. Nothing prepared me for what I saw that early October morning. I thought seeing the balloons flying all around me while I was driving was the coolest thing ever, but that did not even compare to the scene that unfolded in front of my eyes. There were hundreds and I mean hundreds of hot air balloons surrounding us at every angle. I stood there in that field and felt like I was the only one there. I felt alive and overjoyed. The feeling I got when driving through the balloons didn’t even compare to the wonderment I felt in that moment there on the field. The colors were stunning against the mountain back drop. The shapes danced against the colors like a well-choreographed routine. The cow, the stagecoach, the pig, and so many more played amongst the colors. People cheered and pointed at their favorite balloons all while enjoying the sense of community. Everyone had a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eye.
I looked at my children and the amazement on their faces was enough to last a lifetime. This was a moment I will never forget. A moment that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives. The skies over Albuquerque come alive and paint a picture that is better than any painting and deserve all the attention and respect in the world.
