50th Annual Indian Arts Show and Market, Phoenix

I began the day at Starbucks checking GoogleMaps for directions to the Indian Arts Show and Market at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. I discovered that Camelback is an east-to-west roadway that connects Scottsdale with Phoenix, and so I drove that way into town.

I passed Fashion Square, and immediately knew it would become a favorite part of town for me. Further west as you get closer to downtown Phoenix, another shopping mecca appears. It is a huge, up-scale, retail and mixed-use development with all the great places I love: Macy's, Border's Bookstore, Cheesecake Factory, Neiman Marcus (what us Texas refer to as "Needless Markups"), Starbucks, and other stores waiting to take my meager earnings. I'm writing this update from the Border's Bookstore.

One thing I've noticed about this area: I've never seen so many retail shopping centers, golf courses, country clubs, resorts, high-end restaurants and manicured lawns.

The Heard Museum is a sprawling complex located on North Central in downtown Phoenix. Unfortunately, Central Ave. is under construction. (See photo below.)

The city is constructing a light-rail system down the middle of Central Ave., and therefore many of the streets are torn up and blocked off. In the above photo that I took this morning in front of the museum, you'll notice the huge spools of cable. Central is a major north-south corridor in the heart of downtown, and no doubt the rail system will be a great people-mover once it's completed. But for now, it is a major pain in the butt to travel down Central. So, if you come to Phoenix, avoid Central Ave. it if you can.

I arrived at the Indian Arts Show at 9:30 a.m., the scheduled opening time, and I was already late to find parking. Luckily they had a parking garage available to handle the huge crowds and it was only three blocks from the main entrance. Walking along Central Ave. toward the museum I could already hear a live show underway, Indian chanting and the thumping of drums in the distance. I expected the Calvary to arrive at any minute to encourage me to retreat back to my car. Did someone just shoot an arrow over my head?

I paid my $15 entry fee and purchased $10 worth of Food Tickets asking the guy in the ticket booth, "That should be enough to buy me a Coke, right?" He didn't laugh. But it you glanced at the food menu, you discovered a bottled water cost two tickets. I spent my $10 worth of tickets on a hot dog, diet Pepsi, chips, and the traditional "fried bread" you find at these kind of events.

Here are some pictures and comments from my visit:

Live entertainment was underway when I entered the museum area, and I took this photo of a "native ceremonial dance." After he was done, a kid who must have been all of 11-years old danced a "hoop dance". See the photos below.

The kid received a great round of applause from the crowd: he was really amazing. He placed six hoops on the ground and then began to dance around them, toss them up to his hands with his feet, then did all kinds of dance maneuvers. According to the narrator, he was imitating various animal lifeforms with the hoops. Whatever he was doing, it went on for about 10 minutes and I was exhausted just watching him.

The photo above was taken while I was fighting for my life. This was "Area 1" of six tented areas that contained numerous booths of Indian artists and craftsmen. The crowd was already bursting at the seams, and it was only 10:30 in the morning. The other five tents were just as crowded.

I had to take a picture of my "fried bread" with cinnamon sugar and honey. Not exactly a part of my daily diet.

The patio area of the Heard Museum was full of people trying to find a place to sit down. Although the weather was perfect and the temperature was not that hot, a chair still came in handy after walking around for three hours. Since there were few chairs, you found whatever you could to sit on. Mostly, people sat on the ground or a curb.

This Apache woman is painting a small ceramic bowl.

Starbucks is everywhere.

A woman demonstrates the ancient art of basket weaving.

A group of Hawaiian women dance for the crowd. I was craving pineapple juice, but had to settle for a diet Pepsi.

Hello, Scottsdale...and Phoenix

I arrived today in Scottsdale to begin my extended stay, what I like to refer to as my "March Madness." I'll be here to watch the Texas Rangers play some ball and also tour the area.

This is actually my second visit here. I was here for the weekend of the Super Bowl about a month ago. I was only here for a couple of nights. Now I'll have the time to get to the know the place. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Surprise are all crammed together attached by Loops and Highways.

Any way, it should be fun to spend some time in the central Arizona sun.

By the Time I Get to Phoenix...My Car's Emissions Will Be Clean

I began this day with a mission: get my Arizona car tags before leaving Tucson. One year ago this month I was in east Texas and had my car inspected. I then returned to Dallas and renewed my license registration with no problems.

But now my car tags and inspection sticker are set to expire. I have discovered this about Arizona: (1) they do not require car inspections as in Texas, (2) they DO require an emissions test on your car if it's older than a 2004 model, (3) if you fail the emissions test it is a pain in the ass to repair it so you can get on with your life, and (4) you must pass the emissions test or you cannot register your car in Arizona.

None of this would matter to me, except I failed the test. I drove to the local DMV, where next door they have an emissions testing center. After 5 minutes and $12.50, I was told I failed the test. Oops. What now?

Well, you find a mechanic to fix it. Happily, and suspiciously, there were a dozen mechanic shops next to the DMV all licking their chops hoping to get your money to repair your car. (Seems like a set up to me.) The mechanics, some standing outside looking at me, reminded me of hookers posing on the streets in Singapore (I've seen photos) trying to lure you inside their domain. I chose to drive back to Sears Automotive at the Parks Place Mall to have them fix my problem. At least I can walk the mall while they tinker with my catalytic converter or air pump.

But the Sears mechanic tells me, "Sorry, we don't do emissions work."

Give me a break. "So, where should I go?" I ask.

"Go to CP's on 22nd Street. He'll treat you right."

So I drove to CP's and left him my car. I then walked back to the Park Place Mall for the day while CP tinkers with my hoses and sensors. The walk was pleasant, though tedious. I'm not used to walking for 45 minutes without sitting down for a while. Only in Tucson would I even attempt such a trek.

So here I am at the Border's Bookstore, laptop in lap, killing time until my car is repaired. I hope to pass the emissions test later today, maybe tomorrow. I think, however, I'll get a taxi back to the auto shop.

Time to Move On, For Now

It's been a fun time here in the desert, but it's time to move on. I'll be driving to Scottsdale tomorrow. My plans are to remain in the Phoenix area through the month of March. I've got tickets to see the Texas Rangers play some Spring ball in Surprise, Arizona. I'll also be studying art and will continue to visit artists and galleries in the area.

I've been in Tucson since October 29 (you can read my blog entry on that day: http://2vegas.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-made-it-to-tucson-today-monday-after.html ). I love it here, and I can't think of a better place to spend the Winter. I'll be back, guaranteed.

To Britta, Kasie Jo, and Lettie: thanks for keeping me out of trouble...don't work too hard.

To the dealers at the del Sol: thanks for making me feel comfortable and easy and part of the family in your poker room. Keep up the friendly atmosphere and "down home" approach...and let me hit a nut-flush once in a while, OK?

To Linda, Don, Two-Pair, Dave, Fast Eddie, and other players: spend my money wisely. And Linda, keep in touch...we'll meet up again. Have fun in Hawaii.