I always saw Tucson as big, and crowded. Lots of graffiti, lots of crime... lots of people in general. It isn't anything spectacular, the traffic is horrendous, and the University makes it feel rather shifty at all times. The wards don't even feel stable. So I never really wanted to settle into Tucson. I always said... one day we would move (to that perfect place unknown). But sadly, I felt I was wasting time waiting for that perfect place, when there really are some amazing things about Tucson that can and should enjoy! Now that being said Jesse grew up East side, and while we know plenty of things East side to enjoy, I struggle with the West Side... which is way WAY different. They are like 2 different cities.
So I finally decided to dig my feet in and get cozy with Tucson. And this week has been amazingly pleasant.
It started off with Library story time... which as you know is free! And fun! I never went unless friends invited me (we have been about 4 times) and it was always at a "nicer library". As in, nicer than the scary south side valencia library closest to us. But I decided to try our story time, on our side of town. And what do you know?! It was amazing! And the preschool time backed right up to the babytime, so both my darlings got a storytime that fit them perfectly... all in one trip. I'm usually a home body, but I think this may just go into our routine!
Then we decided to try something outrageously new... the Santa Cruz River Farmers Market. Right near us, promoting homegrown veggies, with a promise of live music and slices of pie... what didn't sound fantastic about that? So I packed my kids up and went. It was in an old Mexican plaza/square, with live fiddler and banjo playing these great tunes. Kids were running around everywhere dancing to the music in the grassy central area as mothers meandered around buying organic produce and carrying their babies in canvas packs. Hippies were abundant. Which I don't mind, I find myself wanting to run up and ask them where they bought their flowered skirt and which midwife they use for their homebirths (totally stereotypical... I know). There is something deep inside me screaming to be a hippy. I suppress it most days : ) Although I do nurse in public, I prefer to not let everyone see my breasts. I did see a few breasts at the farmers market. So while I munched on lard free tamales with homemade salsa, prickly pear popscicles and a decadent slice of pie, I watched my kids dance with the hippy ladies kids and put flowers in their hair (okay only Lyla did that... Spencer doesn't have hair), and let them run to the top of the adobe buildings and look out over the city through the old rusty railings. In 3 words: It. Was. Perfect.
We also decided to go to the community food bank... also on this side of town, because I had heard they have lots of free classes on gardening and composting (2 of my loves, which I am actually horrible at, but wish I was good at). It was so cool! They gave me free seeds and free compost, and lots of literature on how to have a great garden in the desert! Then we walked out side to the food banks marvelous garden and snooped around, looked at the chickens, and played on the coolest playground I have been to in a long time! It even had a complete shade over it (which is rare on the west side of town). We will return. I want to help on the gardening days, and give back to the community.
So now I am on a quest to find all the hidden gems my side of town has to offer! And I can't wait! I've always known about the zoo, the childrens museum, the desert museum, the splash pad, and other things like that around tucson, but I always felt they were too far. But they aren't! I was house sitting for the inlaws on the east side, and it took me just as long to get to the zoo and childrens museum from their house as from mine. Now I feel like I don't live in the middle of nowhere! But my side of town does have community events and things that would be closer to me, and I am excited to learn about them and try them out!
So Tucson, I hope our little love affair turns out to be a full on relationship, because I have an inkling that our family won't be going anywhere for a very long time (courtesy of the hubby : )
