The Arid Zone's Staff of the Flag

I was lucky enough to be able to spend this weekend in Flagstaff, Arizona and managed to take notes on the wonderful and beautiful city along with its inhabitants.  My day consisted of meeting with a friend who showed me around the city with all of its spots and events that were going on.  First of all, the city is a beauty, never did I know there'd be snow in an Arizona city.  I love snow!  It was a remarkable experience being there not only because of the scenery, but because of the people, the interactions, and the environment.  Never have I ever been near that or experienced it.  I can honestly say that I am a different person than before I left to make the trip.  It lit up a part of me that is now going to be shining from here on.

The town of Flagstaff is a bit of a college town, home to Northern Arizona University (NAU) Lumberjacks, a bit like the regular sized town of Las Cruces.  You will mostly find young adults and college students around the town.  The amazing feat that I fell in love with was their downtown.  Usually, the city's downtowns that I've been to have been dead, not popular, and just not really moving.  This city's downtown was unique and alive.  To start my first beautiful morning there, I found myself at The Place.  A breakfast and brunch diner.  Locally owned and really nice.  I looked around, of course, the majority were Caucasian, but I did notice that there were also many Native American folk enjoying their meals along with everyone else.  Being from El Paso and seeing/hearing the news of racism and prejudice everywhere, especially in Arizona, I started to think of the possibilities that I may encounter and got ready to handle it if it ever occurred.  From the moment I entered the state of Arizona, all the stops I made from gas stations to visitor centers, there was nothing but friendliness, politeness, and hospitality.  Very welcoming and courteous.

I was finally taken downtown to see all the plethora of stores, tea/coffee shops, and whatnot.  Luckily, it was First Friday (live shows, art walks, etc.) and was able to see all the various events.  There was a group of people in the middle of one of the plazas; almost all of them had a type of drum, congas, or tambourines.  They were improvising and all playing some nice beats while some people decided to dance along with the music.

I then found myself at a tea shop where it was very calm and chill.  Every one in there seemed very relaxed and friendly.  There was then a duo that walked in with a guitar and a sort of box, which come to find out later was a beat-keeping type of drum that only used the hands to hit it, and they had a live show to play.  Guitars were strummed and the drums were heard and all was extremely awesome in that shop room for about 2 1/2 hours.  At this moment, I realized that this city along with its people was something else that I've never seen before.  Exactly as I had explained to my wonderful friend, "The people here don't care what you think about them, but they care about each other."  In other words, they are going to do what ever makes them happy and continue to be a wonderful person that they are.  They will not stop caring for each other.  I noticed that there was a lot of talk between people that didn't know each other.  I was even involved with those conversations at times and with getting put on the spotlight on one of the live shows, which was executed nicely.

The city of Flagstaff really does have its beauties ranging from beautiful views of snowy mountains, beautiful ridges that carry on to Phoenix, a beautiful town of people, to exciting events that go on almost everyday.

I got a lot from that city, a sort of openness that I feel now from all the nice and wonderful environments.  Which must explain how and why they are how they are in Flagstaff.  Comfortable and free.  Like a flock of birds getting let out.