February 17th
– February 23rd 2014
Monday, Tuesday 17th
and 18th
Work. Small stuff. School. Getting ready to leave.
Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday 19th, 20th, 21st
Tucson, described below.
Saturday 22nd
Another slower day. We did not really have any plans and
we felt somewhat tired and lazy. It was nice to open windows, watch
blue sky and sunshine and listen to birds chirping. It is hard to
believe that we are driving from desert in Arizona to Alaska (end of
winter, more less). On the other hand, it is Alaska – still very
unique and special experience (even if we have to fight some cold and
wintery weather). Downtown Phoenix had its annual Japanese festival -
http://www.azmatsuri.org/ -
Arizona Matsuri. It was in downtown area called Heritage Square. Few
streets closed, some construction, a bit of traffic – we parked in
the garage just next to the festival. Another beautiful day. So so so
many people. Music. Sword and other fighting. People in all kinds of
costumes and dresses (impossible to describe, one has to see it).
Food stands with 20 – 30 foot lines. And again, so so so many
people. Stage with some music group playing Japanese music – very
interesting. Other stands – arts, bonsai, toys. Stands of local
high schools that may have Japanese programs. More people in very
unique dresses. It is hard to believe that this was Arizona (state
viewed as conservative and gun loving). It looked more like “hippie”
New York. Or San Francisco. I guess we should be too fast to judge
things without deeper knowledge. It was also pretty nice part of the
city. Trees. Older buildings (not many of them). Interesting
structure for markets and gatherings.
http://phoenix.gov/parks/parks/heritagepk.html
It got pretty warm. We were thinking about some hike or desert
garden, but we were too warm and tired. Home. Few blocks from
Heritage Square we found empty lots, goofy streets, and very sad
looking parts of town. Poor Phoenix. One of the last days in Phoenix,
good one.
Sunday 23rd
Work. Nothing special.
