Tucson, Arizona: Cactus, Coffee, and Questionable Decisions
okay, so. tucson. wow. i didn’t really know what to expect, honestly. i just saw a number - 4004886 - and another - 1484793569 - and thought, ‘let’s go there.’ sounds like a good plan, right? hindsight, maybe not. but hey, stories, right?
I just checked and it’s drizzling, a proper, unexpected drizzle. Like, who expects rain in the desert? Apparently, tucson does. The air smells like wet creosote, which is… surprisingly nice? It’s clinging to everything, this dampness.
I’m here as a touring session drummer, you see. My band, 'Static Bloom,' we’re doing a weird little circuit of southwestern venues. Tucson was a stopover. A long stopover. We were supposed to be here for one night. That was three days ago. The van’s making a noise that sounds like a dying walrus, and the mechanic, apparently, is on vacation. So, yeah. Stuck.
I’ve been wandering around, trying to find something to do besides stare at the van and contemplate the existential dread of being a musician. The *historic district is… charming, I guess? Lots of adobe buildings, cacti growing out of every crack. I stumbled into this tiny coffee shop, 'Cartel Coffee Lab' (check them out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cartel-coffee-lab-tucson). Seriously, the best cold brew I’ve had in ages. The barista, a girl with bright pink hair and a nose ring, gave me some drunk advice about checking out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Apparently, it’s amazing. I might actually do that tomorrow.
I overheard some locals talking about Sentinel Peak - ‘A Mountain,’ they call it. Apparently, the views are incredible, especially at sunset. Someone told me that it’s a bit of a hike, though, and to watch out for rattlesnakes. Great. Just what I needed.
“Don’t trust the pigeons. They’re watching you.”
That’s what a guy with a handlebar mustache told me while I was waiting for a bus. I’m not sure what to make of that. Maybe tucson is weirder than I thought.
If you get bored, phoenix is just a short drive away. I’m considering it. Or maybe nogales, on the border. I found a forum online (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Forum/Tucson-Arizona/) where people were debating the best place to get authentic carne asada. That’s definitely on the agenda.
I’m also trying to find some vintage shops. I’m always on the lookout for a good band tee. I saw a listing on a local board (https://www.facebook.com/groups/tucsonsvintageshops/) for a place called 'Revival Vintage'. Apparently, they have a massive* collection. Fingers crossed.
Temperature-wise, it’s hovering around 6.62 degrees, feels like 5.75. Humidity is a shocking 93%. Who knew? The pressure is 1018, sea level is 1018, ground level is 869. I have no idea what any of that means, but it sounds… scientific.
Honestly, tucson is a bit of a mess. But a strangely appealing mess. Like a cactus covered in rain. I’m not sure I’ll be rushing back anytime soon, but I’m glad I came. And if you’re ever passing through, give it a shot. Just… watch out for the pigeons.
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