Sitting here, avoiding some homework (don't worry...it's not due until Friday!) I realized that I hadn't written about my Sunday evening experience in Tucson yet! And thusly...
So around 2:30pm I get the call from Sarah that she's coming to pick me up. We were going to meet Dan with big van at a Fry's grocery store a few blocks away. Sarah, Richard (another drumming classmate), and I headed over to Fry's and met Dan, Pat, and Bill. We all clambered into the 12 passenger van (so there was plenty of stretching room!) and started on our merry way towards Tucson. After so many stressful weeks of papers, tests, classes, and deadlines, all the stress just melted away as we zipped along the Arizona interstate. Late afternoon and sunset in the desert with the windows down, The Who streaming out of the speakers. It was one of those moments and feelings you try and imprint in your memory as it's happening because you know it will remind you of good times.
We arrived in Tucson about an hour early and headed over to the will call booth to pick up our tickets for the Youssou N'Dour concert. After grabbing the tickets, Sarah, Bill, Richard, and I walked over to a place called "
Chipotle." Now, Chipotle is a small chain restaurant and is kind of the Subway of burritos. It serves that special kind of burrito I never knew existed until I moved down here and, after four years, will probably be glad to never see again (I have one at least once a week)...they are massive and filled with all sorts of fresh ingredients. They're wonderful (I call them "miracle burritos" because after eating one you don't need to eat again for about 24 hours!).
Filled with burrito-y goodness, we went back to Centennial Hall and settled in for the concert. About five minutes later, the lights dropped and the orchestra of Cairo filed on stage with their beautiful exotic instruments. Then, after the strings kicked up and started a beautiful piece, Youssou walks on stage with his flowing white robe...he moved so gracefully and confidently. He came up to the microphone and you could feel the entire hall tense up in anticipation (droves of drummers and dancers came from all over the Phoenix area to see this concert). From the very first note he sang, I was so excited...this is the voice I know and love and have been anxious to hear in person since September!
The two hours flew by and the energy was amazing! I couldn't believe I'd just seen such an amazing concert...it was beautiful. Clambering back into the van, Sarah and I chattered about the concert. Halfway back to Tempe a hush fell on the van as all the passengers (myself included) fell asleep. I woke up just outside of town and sat in that comfy half-awake state and didn't even worry about the upcoming week. It was wonderful!
Transplanted Potato
