Tucson

Through the miserably small window of the airplane, I could see a stretch of land with small houses, here and there. I wasn’t sure whether or not that was Tucson, until the plane started flying low. Then it felt like it was getting farther and farther away from the town, because I could only see the desert and some sparse vegetation. For about 5 minutes I kept wondering where this plane is planning on landing. Out of nowhere a runway appeared and the plane touched down! I was in Tucson, Arizona.

“Nice, little airport,” I thought, walking to pick up my baggage. I walked out of the air conditioned airport, and the “HOT HEAT” hit my face! On the ride to my uncle’s house, I tried to be as observant as possible. The houses are so short, that they can be well hidden by shrubs! Most houses have an adobe color on the outside, just to once more remind you that you are in the desert, in case you have forgotten about the heat! Stretches of open and arid land can be found between buildings at any part of the city, which strikes me as strange. Why wouldn’t they do anything to increase the aesthetic value of it, if they are not building anything useful on it! Regardless, the downtown has some taller buildings to resemble a legitimate downtown:

Tucson (the Old Pueblo) is the largest city in southern Arizona and the second largest in the state, with a metropolitan population of 946,362. Tucson is also home to the University of Arizona Wildcats, which is the second largest employer in the city! Davis-Monthan Air Force Base also provides many jobs for Tucson residents. Its presence, as well as the presence of a US Army Intelligence Center (Fort Huachuca, the largest employer in the region in nearby Sierra Vista), has led to the development of a significant number of high-tech industries. Advanced technology companies like Raytheon Missile Systems, Texas Insutruments, IBM, Intuit Inc., Universal Avionics, Misys Healthcare Systems, Sanofi-Avents, Ventana Medical Systems, and Bombardier all have a significant presence in Tucson. Roughly 150 Tucson companies are in the optics industry, earning Tucson the nickname “Optics Valley”.

Driving through the town on a Saturday evening, I felt like I was in a ghost town. Then my uncle reminded me that more than half of the population of town is comprised of students and Snowbirds, who spend fall and winter in Tucson. In winter the temperature ranges between 44-75 during a day! Those numbers are 70-over 100 for the summer!

I have not have enough time and interaction with the people of Tucson, yet, to write about them. That shall have its own post! For now, I am off to enjoy a nice swim in the year around out-doors pool!