Daily Times

When the first-time visitor heads to Arizona, he expects to see the Grand Canyon. Years after my first visit to the state, I did get to see it, once in December and once in April. Between those two months, the contrast in temperatures and in the visual landscape was striking. This natural wonder is without compare. https://dailytimes.com.pk/174806/sunrise-grand-canyon/

My first trip to Arizona was a business trip in the summer of the early 1980s. As the plane crossed over the California border into Arizona, the scenery began changing rapidly. The new landscape was pock-marked with a series of dark mountains sculpted by the wind.

The plane landed and docked at the airport. In those days, there were no jet ways. You had to climb down a ladder. As I stepped out of the plane onto the steps, something hit me. It was invisible. I could not figure out what it was. It was the heat. The mercury had hit 105 degrees F.

Later I would learn that the Phoenix experiences a 100 days a year with temperatures that exceed 100 degrees F. It is located in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert in a 500 square mile area known appropriately as the Valley of the Sun.

According to legend, Phoenix sits on the site of a vanquished city. That evoked in the mind of the city’s founder the bird in ancient Greek mythology that is associated with the sun and which rises from the ashes of its predecessor. The iconic architecture in Phoenix is that of Saint Mary’s Basilica which was founded in 1881 by Franciscan Friars. Pope John Paul II spoke there in 1987 and unsurprisingly drew an overflow crowd that spilled out on the streets.

A theater and opera complex is located nearby and so is the Arizona Center, a complex of high rise office buildings and low-rise restaurants which offer a diverse array of cuisines. Not too far away is the Banner Hospital which was never on my itinerary. But on a business trip I ended up missing the meeting and visiting the hospital’s Emergency Room. All types of tests were carried out. And then I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I thought my time had come up since seven figures in white robes were looking at me. The person in the lead smiled, introduced himself as the head of neurosurgery, and said he was pleased to meet an economist. He said nothing was wrong with me. That unexpected side trip of 36 hours added quite a bit of color and texture to my memories of Phoenix. Other places worth checking out in Phoenix are the Zoo, with 1,200 animals, the Desert Botanical Garden with its cacti and native plants, and Papago Park, a hiker’s heaven.

Near Phoenix is Scottsdale, an upscale retirement community. It has numerous attractions including golf courses, restaurants, and Camel Back Mountain, an iconic peak for hikers and those wanting to get a sweeping view of the valley. Frank Lloyd Wright, the world-renowned architect lived in Scottsdale for 20 years. His house, Taliesin West, is a great place to check out and offers guided tours. Another nearby town is Tempe located on the banks of the Salt River. It has some incredible shopping opportunities. It is also home to the Pera Club, which serves as the recreation facility for one of the local agencies and is located at the edge of the Phoenix Zoo.

I was invited to speak there once. As I approached the gate, I noticed two SWAT police were standing guard in full battle attire with bullet proof vests and automatic rifles at the ready. I texted my family that I was about to enter a building with SWAT police. My younger daughter said, “Dad, get the hell out of there.” I replied it’s my job. I have no choice.

And so I entered the compound. The meeting was held in a cavernous barn-like structure. Some 500 members of the public were there to get their voices heard on a matter involving solar energy. To say the setting was controversial would be to make an understatement. SWAT police were visible even inside the barn. I was to come back two more times. They were there every time. A couple of years passed. I was in Tucson, just 60 miles north of the Mexican border. In that meeting, I encountered the counsel who had cross-examined me in Tempe. After the second cross examination, I asked him why there were so many SWAT police in the Pera Club. He said they were there for your protection. I was not flattered.

That meeting happened to fall on the day when the presidential primaries were being held. On the way back to the airport, I asked the driver about the motorcades that seemed to be coming out of the airport. He said they were the presidential candidate. I said one of them wants to build a war on the boarder. He said that’s just ridiculous. He was a navy veteran who had served in Vietnam. When we reached the airport, he said I should tell you whom I will vote for: Donald Trump. I was stunned. I asked why. He said because I want to vote for a winner. I asked if there was any other reason. He said because I don’t want the US to get involved in wars.

High up in the hills is the quaint town of Sedona. You will run into fortune tellers and organic food. Nature dominates the conversation and mountains made of red rock are ubiquitous. The State Park is the best place to view them. You can see the mountains being reflected in the waters of Oak Creek. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is located high up in the mountains. It provides grand views of the scenery. The chapel, built in 1956, features modern architecture.

The most famous restaurant is Mariposa. It offers the best Latin American cuisine outside of that continent. Its ambience includes an intimate interior and a view of the Red Rock Mountains.

One time my wife and I stayed at the Enchantment Resort which is located in Boynton Canyon with its dramatic red rocks. Another time we stayed with our daughters at La Auberge de Sedona, which is situated on the banks of Oak Creek. Both are superbly located, beautifully architected, and serve great food.

Arizona has just about something for every taste. I have not run into any person who has come home disappointed after visiting Arizona.

The writer can be reached at ahmadfaruqui@gmail.com. He Tweets at @AhmadFaruqui