phoenix: where the concrete meets the cactus
just landed in this desert city and already feeling the dryness in my throat. lugging my camera gear around like it's my entire life-which it pretty much is. the air here? it's like someone took a hairdryer to the whole state. *saguaro cactuses are towering over everything like ancient bodyguards. i just checked and it's currently hovering at 18.78°C, which feels more like 17.44°C if you're into that breezy kind of warmth. honestly? it's perfect for avoiding sweat stains on my vintage tees. when the city's got you down, scottsdale and tempe are just a quick drive away for when you need a change of scenery.
started my day at this weird little coffee joint near the monorail. the barista looked like he hadn't slept since the clinton administration, but his pour-overs were fire. grabbed a mesquite bean pastry that tasted like desert rain. while shooting street portraits, i overheard two tourists arguing about whether a prickly pear was a fruit or a suicide attempt. honestly? both vibes.
heard some guy at the food truck park whispering that the 'ghost pepper tacos' at taco haven are basically edible napalm. tried 'em. he wasn't wrong.
met this street painter downtown whose canvas was literally a mexican blanket*. his work was unreal-sorta like if picasso had a heatstroke. he swore by the 'golden hour' light here said it's less golden and more 'molten copper'. the humidity's at 28% so it's not sticky, just... aggressively dry? my camera lenses keep fogging up when i step inside.
some local warned me that camelback mountain trails are basically nature's stairmaster. said he saw a tourist crying while hiking it. brought water.
ended up at this dive bar called the rattler. guy next to me claimed the heard museum has secret underground tunnels. sounds like tourist bait but i'm still tempted. pressure's at 1019 hpa-whatever that means, but my sinuses feel clearer than my life choices. honestly? phoenix is a fever dream wrapped in sunbaked concrete. gonna shoot the sunrise at south mountain tomorrow. hope my tripod doesn't melt.
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