Melting in Phoenix

Day 22, March 25th

This day I left LA for Phoenix, Arizona. took a bus that departed early because I would be in that bus for 7 hours or so. After those 7 hours in the bus, that seemed to go over way faster than the previous bus I took, I arrived in Phoenix where I would spend another week in an airbnb. Met up with my host, Rico, who lives in a community home (where they have a swimming pool!) behind gates, which made me feel really safe. 

Day 23, March 26th

I had planned nothing for this day because I wanted to keep it a lazy day where I could explore the neighbourhood and run some errands and go try out the swimming pool. Rico went grocery shopping with me and showed me around in the neighbourhood, which was nice since he's the one who lives there so he knows it best. After that I went to the swimmingpool, which was cold but refreshing, and the best part, it felt like a private pool because no one was using it that day except me!

Day 24, March 27th

Went hiking in the Sonoran desert with Rico and a friend of his who knew the erea well, a private gids as you would call it. saw a lot of the saguaro cacti, which is the most portrayed cactus but only grows in the sonoran desert. We hiked around for 2 hours and after that we drove around for a bit to see the beautiful sights around Phoenix (and camelback mountain). They took me to chipotle,for me the very first time, which is a mexican food chain. 

Day 25, March 28th

I wanted to go to the hard rock cafe to eat some lunch and get a t-shirt, arriving at the railway station, the machine refused to take my card and unfortunatly I didn't have cash on me so I went back to my airbnb. Luckily I could also get railway tickets at the local Circe K, and Rico was sweet enough to drive me there on his way to the coffeeshop. I got a day ticket and went to the hard rock cafe where Iate a massive burger and bought my desired shirt. After this big lunch I wandered around downtown Phoenix for a bit and took the metro back home. 

Day 26, March 29th

I had booked an Grand Canyon trip and this was finally the day that I was going! Had to wake up really early since I had to be at my pickup point at 7 am. The tour was running a bit late and the bus arrived at 7.30 am. In the mean time I talked to the people that had the same pick up point as me, a father with his 11-year old daughter, which was nice to get to know the people I had to spend a whole day with. After a few hours of driving we arrived at the town of Williams, a nice little town along historic route 66. We could wander around for a bit and take pictures before we continued our trip to the grand canyon. The bus took off again and we went further to the south rim of the grand canyon, our first sights of the canyon! After the first stop at the canyon we drove a bit further to the town of the canyon where all the gift shops are located and more of the history is displayed. Took a lot of pictures and walked around the stores. After spending a good amout of time at the canyon it was time to return home, with 1 other stop along the way, Flagstaff. On my way back I sat next to Danika, the 11 year-old-girl from my pick up point which was actually a lot of fun. when we returned at our pick up (and drop off) point, her dad offered to bring me back to my airbnb which was nice and then I didn't have to pay for an uber. 

Day 27, March 30th

Danika texted me with the question if I wanted to get lunch with her and her dad, since yesterday was really fun I agreed. They picked me up and we went to have some lunch at a local place. After this lunch I said goodbye to her and her dad since I wouldn't see them again in Phoenix. Since one of my friends had her birthday recently she was giving a party, and because I couldn't be there they face timed me, it was nice to see all of their faces again. After this call I went back to the swimmingpool to relax in the hot weather.

Day 28, March 31st

This day i didn't do that much interesting, I went back to downtown Phoenix and visited some stores, saw some sightseeings and drank some coffee at starbucks

Day 29, April 1st

April fools day! But also my dad's birthday. First thing after I woke up was calling him to wish him a happy birthday. Since it was also my last day in Phoenix and I didn't feel the need to explore dowtown more than I already did, I decided to check out Wallmart for the first time. After spending some hours at wallmart, Rico picked me up and showed me what costco was all about, after that we went home and I packed all my stuff back up to go to Houston, where I would see my sister again!