But of the places I have been, I have been very lucky to be immersed in culture, surrounded by amazing friends and family, and enjoyed my time...for the most part.
San Francisco, California
This city is just amazing. Beautiful architecture, culture, and even crazier residents! To stay in downtown within Union Square is a shopper's delight, and your pocketbook's worst nightmare! Last visit was for work. Fortunately we were able to have a little fun at the same time though. We walked from Union Square, through Chinatown, up to the tourist attractions of Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square. I bought a beautiful Chanel handbag, and definitely spent more than I made on the trip. The best part of this trip was just walking around, shopping, eating, walking around some more, shopping, eating...I would visit this city again, not just because I have family that is close by, but because of all the elegant architecture, serene landscape, and, of course, the shopping. Did I mention I loved the shopping?
For reminiscence purposes, this city always reminds me of a visit I took with my dad when turning about 17. We flew up, just the 2 of us, to visit my Uncle, Aunt, and cousins. Aunt Janice drove me all over San Fran showing me the sights, telling me stories of her wild times as a teenager. For this reason, the city will always hold a special place in my heart thinking of my family, and spending time with my dad.
New Orleans, Louisiana
I have been to New Orleans (Nawlens) twice. The first time I was in high school, traveling with friends. This was before Hurricane Katrina desecrated the city under water. It was one of few experiences I was thankful to come home to the heat of an Arizona summer rather than deal with humidity any longer. Walking around French Quarter, eating beignets at Cafe du Monde, going into the little shops that were full of Cajun tradition of voodoo magic, taking a riverboat ride to see the different monuments and historical icons of the past. I was captured by the beauty of the South. Fell in love with the way the city smelled (except for lovely Bourbon St.). I decided I wanted to go back again, and as often as I could. The trip was for school, and because of that I saw things I may not have seen as a regular tourist. I toured the Mardi Gras warehouse where all the costumes, floats, etc. are stored. I tried on the costumes, bought beads, had a great time.
The second time I was in New Orleans, it was work related. Fortunately, the person who booked my flight had me arrive a day before the convention I was attending began. A whole day, touring French Quarter by myself. Taking in all the sites, walking down St. Charles Avenue, Decatur St., Canel St.; passing by St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, the shops, and of course, eating beignets at Cafe du Monde was heaven. Eating at Commander's Palace and Mothers's (very high scale down to the poor man's choice) and not wanting to leave. My favorite moments were at night, though. I was told not to go out at night by my employer. Okay, fair enough. Girl traveling alone wandering French Quarter at night is not something that is safe. I get it. I would sit in my hotel room, windows wide open, allowing the night air filled with jasmine to waft into the room, and the sound of jazz filter through the air. Those moments were my favorite.
Sedona, Arizona
Most people who go to Sedona fall in love with the red rock, the ambiance, the quiet little town with eclectic style. For me, this is just another place I may not want to return to. It is a lovely town, don't get me wrong. Unfortunately, I am not one that can sit still long enough to enjoy this. It is fun to wander the shops, look at the jewelry that has been created by local people, see the red rocks. But underneath that are memories of another life in which I have moved forward from.
Orlando, Florida
From my view of this city, I would never care to go back. This is just one tourist trap after another. My favorite part of this trip was riding around the airport...Granted, I was marooned at a resort, and a 1 mile cab ride to a 7-11 was over $20...I didn't go to Disneyworld, but I am not even sure I would want to go. One of the best parts of this trip? Listening to the news talking about tourists needing to be careful because violence and crime against tourists was high. Yeah! That is a great Chamber of Commerce moment. Another "best" part of this trip? Didn't make it to Disneyworld, but I rode the elevator at the resort like an amusement park ride! My trip out there and back was interesting when we had the same airline flight attendance on both flights willing to slip us alcohol under the boss's nose at no cost. He was hilarious, and made the flight so much easier.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Humidity, mosquitoes, Avon Skin-So-Soft as my best friend? I would visit Indi again, though. The place was beautiful, green, and the people were great. I visited the Indy 500 race track, met new friends, hung out with old friends. The trip getting there was horrible (thank you Continental Airlines - are you even in business any more?)
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio - home of every bumper sticker known to man that says "Don't mess with Texas". Another trip in high school, and I have never been back - on purpose. First off, when you have 40 people flying together, and you cancel the entire flight, and offer to put them up for the night? Yeah, not a good start. Once in this place it was so hot, but also so sticky and gross. Going over 4th of July was not the best idea either. We are staying in downtown San Antonio, walking distance from the Alamo (hence the bumper sticker haven for every red-necked hick), on the scenic Riverwalk. How do you not have any type of fireworks on the holiday celebrating America's day of independence? Oh, that is right, I forgot...Texas still thinks they are a separate country when it conveniences them (I can say this, though, after living in the state for 3 years). So, when going to the Six Flags over Texas park, learning that they had fireworks at the end of the night, only to learn it was a fireworks / laser show about the history of Texas? Frustration.
But, this is also the last trip I took with friends in that large of a group after graduation. I spent time with the people I would not be able to be around again. We gave people a hard time, saw the Violent Femmes play, and said goodbye to that part of our lives.
Kingfisher, Oklahoma
What can I say about Kingfisher! Red soil, kind old people, simple houses, and friends. Kingfisher is just a small town with kind residents who wave to you as you pass them on the road. They greet you like an old friend, treat you like family, and makes you realize how nice it is to slow down sometimes.
Globe, Arizona
Growing up in Payson, Globe was not a place you wanted to visit. This is where the county seat is, so if you were called for jury duty you had to go here. This is where the county juvenile detention center was, so if you were "visiting" Globe, chances are you had a rap sheet. I never went to Globe growing up.
It wasn't until I drove through Globe on my way to a training for work that I really saw what I was missing. Completely different from the town I grew up in, Globe has old Victorian style houses, a downtown that is not thriving but filled with beautiful architecture. They also have some awesome antique stores where I was able to shop for Christmas at. I wouldn't be able to stay long, but day trips to this town are quite a treat.
Orange County, California
I love going to Orange County. The place is filled with so many fake and plastic items, from merchandise you can buy to the people you see walking down the street. I love going to the Balboa pier and eating at Ruby's, or going to the other side of Balboa and riding the Ferris wheel. Balboa bars are one of the most amazing things to eat. Newport with the beautiful beach front houses, small little restaurants. Huntington with the amazing downtown. Going further inland to Garden Grove, Anaheim, etc., are all wonderful times in my mind. This is, of course, another place I enjoy going because of family. Sure, it is nice to see the beach. But it is even nicer to see my sisters and brothers-in-law, my little nephews, great grandpa. This is why I love going here almost more than any other place in the world.
Needles, California
The armpit of California...Needles is exactly as it's name - dry. But the people that live in this town are nothing short of entertaining and wonderful. I took a trip to see my friend graduate from Needles High School once. Took a little trip to the Colorado river...in June...with a swimsuit that someone actually asked my friend who the naked chick with the flower tattoos were because I was as white as the suit. That was, until our drive home when I became as red as the flowers on the suit because I was burned burned burned. My best friend and I stayed with a friend in Needles one spring break. We were actually going to Lake Havasu, but being able to see a friend was worth the 30 minute drive each way to Havasu each day we went.
Las Vegas, Nevada
So...I have only been to Vegas once. AND my trip was not as everyone may think. It was my 3rd week of college. My roommates were going to be out of town. I didn't want to stay in Tempe by myself at the time. So, this kid in my German class offered to take me to Vegas with him. We drove up to Vegas in a dump truck (his dad owned a residential construction company). Once we were in town I found my friend who was going to UNLV. I didn't know what dorm she was in, so I started calling the dorms out of the phone book. Lucky me, it was the 1st dorm I called. I get her on the phone, let her know I am in town, and the German class kid takes me to hang out with my friend all weekend. The only part of Vegas I saw was an In and Out, Target, and UNLV. I had so much fun, though. Going home, German class kid's dad bought me an airline ticket (kind of awkward since I was not nor planned on dating the kid), and his mom picked us up at the airport in Phoenix. It was one of the best weekends of my life! Someday I may go back and see Vegas as everyone else has seen it. But, my friend still lives there, out in the suburbs...who knows, maybe I will just crash with her and her family again!
Los Angeles, California
LA. Big, bustling, selfish LA! When I was a kid my parents took us on a family trip to Southern California. LA was a stop on the way. We rarely took vacations, so it really felt like an adventure. We went to Disneyland. We went to my parents Alma matter - LIFE Bible College. This was actually pretty cool though, because it was where my grandparents and great grandparents went to school, or attended church at the connecting Angeles Temple. I saw pictures on the walls of my family members at the college. Later, I learned this is also where Norma Jean Baker, a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe, was baptized as a baby.
Growing up, I had visited LA a few times. It usually was to visit an amusement park and not to spend time. Another spring break trip my best friend and I went on was to OC and LA. We drove around, saw the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, Mann's Chinese Theater and Marilyn Monroe's hand and shoe prints, Planet Hollywood (when that place was actually cool). Oh yeah, we also got lost, she got a bit freaked as the sun was setting and we were in the land of crazies, and I was having a blast.
No comments:
Post a Comment