All good things…
My carry on bag, around the world trip of 2017 was phenomenal. It was 3 months of travelling, which felt like forever at the beginning, but as it eventually started rolling to an end there were some pretty intense feelings.
So, I did what any reasonable adult would do.
I got a tattoo in Phoenix, Arizona. I think it’s safe to say my parents were thrilled.
Ok, so it wasn’t exactly a spur of the moment thing. I had actually been planning on getting a tattoo for a couple of years, and just hadn’t had the right moment and opportunity. In Phoenix we were staying with a friend of one of my travel buddies, who has many many tats, so we decided it was a cool time, and she took us to her favourite people. It was a really great experience. If you are thinking about getting inked in the US of A it’s worth noting that tipping is a thing for your artist. Coming from the south pacific this was something to get my head around. I went with 20% because my artist was really lovely and professional.
After tattoo-time we wandered off to check out the sights and sounds of Phoenix. I’m going to be honest, it’s not exactly a hotspot of attractions. The list of ‘things to do in Phoenix’ is odd and mostly museums and places with red dirt and cacti. We managed to get a solid chunk of red dirt seeing in, and even met a new lizard friend.
Would you believe that ‘Hole in a Rock’ is one of the top things to see in Phoenix on the cheap-to-free list? I mean, it’s a nice rock. Very red. Interesting textures. Nice view of the sunset.
It was a pretty great spot to sit and reflect on the past 3 months and think about our experiences. And there were some iconic looking cacti, which was a nice reminder of where we’d arrived.
And I licked a cactus, which I always wanted to do when I saw cartoons with classic cactus shaped cacti in them. I live life on the edge.
After a relaxed evening sunset watching, we decided to get in one last party, so headed into town for a night of dancing and good laughs. I was still on my Project #NoBeersies2017 drink-free year but had a blast dancing, and could also to be a sober driver afterwards.
Phoenix was our last major stop, and it’s a solid way from most places. The drive to LA was a full day, so to kill the time we made up a fantastic game. Country Bingo. You listen to the radio, and have a sheet of classic country music related themes and words. Like tractors and Jesus. We won. In about 1-2 hours.
It was a full on emotional journey driving into LA. We all knew it was our last day away, and that the real world was about to sucker-punch us in a few short days, and the evening absolutely played up the mood. Look at that nostalgia-inducing sunstrike-open-road vibe. Iconic. I should sell this one as a stock image.
And then this sweet as sunset past Manhattan Beach pier to the west, where home waited over the ocean.
There were tears, many utterings of love, and very deep sighs.
And of course, comfort food in true U S of A style as we waited for our flight out. Thanks, In n Out. (Shout out to the secret menu and the Animal style fries!)
Without trying to play into the stereotypes – it was an outlook-altering experience, a once in a lifetime trip, with friends who are like family now, to places I never dreamed I’d love as much as I did, in breathtaking countries, with tear-jerking landscapes and views that were like a 360 degree postcard, and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.
And yes, coming home felt like I was physically filling up with a warm fuzz.
xo cait
(oh, and shout out to Auckland airport for the water fountains! No single-use bottles for this gal!)
Wasteless Wanderess 