What I've noticed about Sedona

           My move to Sedona has been one of the biggest changes (or Adventures) in my entire life.  Consequently, I had some serious reservations about making the move.  I mean, come on, I went from San Diego, the eighth largest city in America, to a town of 10,000.  It hasn’t been perfect, but I’ve surprised myself with how seamlessly I have adjusted so far.  Already I can tell this move has grown me tremendously and I’m happy with my decisions. 

            For those of you who don’t know, Sedona is a very different place.  I’m not just referring to the glaringly obvious fact that it’s a small town; it has a very distinct culture of its own.  Some describe it as a spiritual Mecca for one.  It’s difficult to put into words everything I’ve noticed so far but I thought it would be interesting to share with you some of what I’ve noticed so far.  So here’s the list:

1.  Demographic

This town consists of primarily two types of people; rich, old, retired people and the new age hippy types.  These are not exclusive demographics either, many fall into both categories.  As a result, there are any number of healing facilities, psychics, gem stone shops, spiritual hikes, alien sightings, overpriced teahouses, vortex’s, spa’s, peace parks and other strange establishments.  Most of this is very much outside the context of who I am, but I simply share with you what I've noticed. 

    

     

2.  Teal Arches

Our new age retro hippies, mentioned above, put up a stink when McDonalds wanted to come in and put their famous golden arches up.  The town told them that they would have to choose another color.  My understanding is that this has to do with maintaining aesthetic unity.  So McDonalds decided to pick Teal Green and the locals approved the decision.  I don’t know of any other place where this is the case. 

3.  The “Y”

When locals refer to the “Y”, they’re not talking about a fun place for young men to stay, they’re referring to a major intersection where the 89A hits the 179.  Coming from the west (my neck of the woods), you can either continue north on the 89A to uptown and eventually Flagstaff or go south on the 179 and hit up all the shops and restaurants you wallet can afford. 

4.  Round-a-bouts

While we’re on the subject, the “Y” is actually a round-a-bout.  I was first introduced to round-a-bouts when I visited Australia and since then San Diego has implemented a few.  It seems like Arizona’s high desert towns are a fan and so am I. 

5.  Hours of Operation

In San Diego if you wanted to get a drink at one in the morning it wouldn’t be that difficult to find a place.  If you wanted something at ten or eleven it would be even easier.  Here in Sedona, fat chance.  This town basically closes at 9 pm.  From what I’m told there are maybe two or three places that close well after the nine-o-clock bedtime but I have yet to see them for myself. 

I’m sure I’ll have more observations about Sedona in the future.  But until then, don’t take your own city for granted.  Go on an Adventure!

The Adventure Begins

I have now been living in Arizona for a little over a week.  Everyone has been asking me how I have been acclimating.  Honestly it’s been pretty easy.  The town I’m living in, Sedona, is small but has most of the things I need near by.  The weather is different; thankfully I came at a time when things are cooling off.  The summer might be a different story though.  It is a little dryer than I’m used to, which results in a more rigorous eye drop regime in the morning.  Overall things have been quite smooth.  I of course miss my friends and family back home, but that was an inevitable cost for pursuing this opportunity. 

For those of you who don’t know me as well as you should, I guess I should back-track a little and give some background / details.  Such as, what is this opportunity, where is home and why is he talking about Arizona.  I’m getting all “Quentin Tarantino” on you and telling you things out of order. 

I am a passionate person and have several passions.  One of them is Hospitality.  After much soul searching and irrelevant classes at the local community college I discovered San Diego State Universitie’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program (HTM for short).  I pursued it and received my Bachelor’s of Science (clearly there is so much more to be said about those years but that will have to wait).  During my studies I received several years of industry experience.  Upon graduating I was somewhat at a loss.  It was a little more difficult getting a job than I had anticipated, which scared the shit out of me!  I stressed out, and came to the conclusion that I needed to open myself up to some BIG changes.  This brings us to Sedona.  It was my hope to stay in San Diego, but I said to the world I am open to change, what do you have for me?  When I heard back from Sedona I new that it was the right choice.  It was simply too good to pass up. So I packed up and shipped out (of course with help from some loved ones). 

Thus began a new chapter in my life.  The San Diego college grad who moved out to a small town in Arizona to pursue his passion for hospitality (maybe I’m just full of it, but I swear my life could be a series of films).  So here I am, about a week later living in Arizona.  Unfortunately, I’m at a point in my life where my job is most of my life, but do not fear fellow blog readers I will still have plenty of Adventure to speak of.  And if I don’t… then I guess I’ll have to quite my blog (gosh, it’s only the second post and I’m talking about quitting).  No, I won’t quit.  I know I’ll have Adventures; it’s in my blood.  It’s a major part of who I am.  So with the promise of more Adventures to come I leave you with this: Stay classy San Diego, and for the rest of you (I don’t know) keep doing your thing…?

It's kind of a weird feeling seeing 80% of what you own compacted into such a small area.

On the way up I had to eat fast food (yuck!). 

Admittedly, I am obsessed with San Diego, but I sure picked a beautiful place to spend some time.  

P.S.  Thank you to those of you who helped me, I love you always!