Tucson, Arizona: Cactus, Chaos, and Questionable Burritos
okay, so. tucson. i didn’t really plan to be in tucson. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in denver, the next we’re staring at a giant saguaro. it’s… a lot.
I just checked and it’s drizzling a bit, like the sky’s having a tiny existential crisis. the kind of drizzle that makes the desert smell extra earthy, which is… nice, i guess? i’m not a huge rain person, but it’s a change from the usual scorching heat.
we’re staying near the university, which is cool. lots of students, lots of… energy. if you get bored, phoenix is just a hop, skip, and a slightly terrifying drive down the interstate.
let’s talk food. i’ve been on a quest for the perfect burrito. it’s a serious mission. i’ve hit up a few places. someone told me that el guero is the place to go, but the line was insane. like, people camping out for a tortilla insane. i ended up at some random spot on *speedway and… it was okay. not life-changing. definitely needed more cilantro. i’m starting to think the perfect burrito is a myth. maybe i should just open my own place. “drummer’s burritos: rhythm and relleno.” has a ring to it, right?
“Don’t trust the guy selling prickly pear lemonade on 4th Avenue. He’s got a whole operation going, and it’s probably not entirely legal.”
that’s what a very intense woman with a chihuahua told me. i didn’t ask questions. i just kept walking.
gear-wise, i’m mostly just lugging around my drums and a whole lot of anxiety. but i did pick up a really cool vintage turquoise bracelet at some shop downtown. it’s probably fake, but i don’t care. it’s got good vibes. check out some local shops here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g30982-Activities-Tucson_Arizona.html
“The sunsets here are beautiful, but watch out for the javelinas. They’re surprisingly aggressive.”
apparently, javelinas are like desert pigs. and they’re not afraid to charge. i’m sticking to indoor activities for now.
okay, quick pro-tips for anyone else ending up in tucson unexpectedly:
*hydrate. seriously. it’s dry. like, desert-dry.
wear sunscreen. even if it’s cloudy. the sun is sneaky.
check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. it’s actually really cool. https://www.desertmuseum.org/
don’t argue with the chihuahua lady.
be prepared for questionable burrito experiences.
and finally, a word of warning i overheard at a coffee shop (because, of course, i needed coffee): “avoid the vintage shops on fourth avenue* on weekends. tourists. everywhere.” i can’t say i disagree. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=vintage+shops&find_loc=Tucson%2C+AZ
so yeah. tucson. it’s… something. i’m not sure i’d move here, but it’s definitely a story. and i’ve got a lot of cilantro to buy.