Being the seasoned backpackers that we are, we were willing to accept our fate of an uncomfortably long layover. We’ve slept on airport floors before, we’ll do so again! It wasn’t until we realized that the Phoenix airport (our stopover point between Vancouver and Puerto Vallarta) is basically downtown and that motels nearby are basically cheap that we decided to venture out from the airport walls.
An overnight stop for us totalling 15 hours. While Phoenix would never be a personal destination of choice, I found myself pleasantly surprised by our brief nighttime tour of the city. I was stunned by the beauty of the desert as we flew across. (Well, I guess an overwhelming view of the Grand Canyon from above may have helped.) Once landed, El Mono kept his eyes to the sky in the hopes of a UFO sighting. Alas, he saw nothing but a dozen or so aircraft at any given moment. We ate tasty food at The Arrogant Butcher, wandered past the fortress of sports complexes, rode the bus and admired the unique architecture. All despite being thrown off by the empty Monday night streets.
The classy *ahem* restaurant next door to our motel. They also had plastic bulls on the roof!
Our very not classy motel. Featuring a filled in pool.
Peering through the window of a vintagey barber shop
The Arrogant Butcher. A great pub/restaurant downtown right next to the city’s mass of sporting stadiums.
Entering into the Halloween Spirit… A gorgeous mansion found on the Arizona State University Campus.
We’ve since arrived in Sayulita, Mexico. All ready for the next leg of this adventure! Central America, we’re here!
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
The Great Gallivant 