Hearts and Bones

The Castle at UWC-USA

Recently I had the privilege to travel to the United World College – USA in Las Vegas, NM. The UWC hosts students from around the world for an International Baccalaureate program that is international in every sense of the word. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains, the UWC-USA is housed in an amazing structure originally built in 1885. It served as a hotel for elite railroad travelers around the turn of the century. It was an incredible setting for an equally incredible program. We were busy the first night giving a recruiting presentation for UF and then spent a full day interviewing prospective Honors students the next day. I met students from Afghanistan, the Philippines, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Spain, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Mexico, Ghana, India, Canada and Barbados. We interviewed a promising herpetologist from Oswego, Kansas as well as a future biologist who was a Chinese-Chilean! We need more programs like the UWC. It made an indelible impression upon me and gave me faith that maybe; just maybe humans may one day get their shit together and live in harmony.

After a long day of interviews, we ventured out to Dick’s Liquors, one of the few watering holes in Las Vegas. If Las Vegas, Nevada is one end of the entertainment spectrum, Las Vegas, NM is truly on the polar opposite. That being said, if I had to have a bar in a one-trick pony town (let’s see, how many more Paul Simon references can I fit in here?), it would be Dick’s. Going in the front door, you enter into to what appears to be a standard package store. Dick’s has a fine selection of western beers including New Belgium and Stone Brewing Co. Heading to the back of the liquor store, Dick’s transitions into a classic blue-collar bar, complete with Sweet Child O’ Mine on the jukebox and waitresses that call you honey. I tried two local brews: Santa Fe Pale Ale and Monk’s Ale. The SFPA was not as citrusy as I like. It tasted more like a Sierra Nevada, with a more earthy tone. I bet there are Centennial Hops in there. The Monk’s Ale was a fine full-bodied Amber, which tasted very good in the chilly New Mexican air (the 50’s in September qualify as chilly for a Floridian). To my surprise, Dick’s was like the Energizer bunny. It kept going! One passes through the bar section to a nice restaurant complete with linen napkins. I filled my belly with an Christmas style Enchilada (red and green Chile sauce). Good thing I don’t live in New Mexico. Between the beer and food, I’d weigh 350 pounds.

New Mexico and the UWC are amazing places to visit. Now I’m headed back to Gainesville for the Mother and Child Reunion, Still Crazy After All These Years….