Way to GC

For the being that is said to be human who hasn’t set his sight on the Grand Canyon YET

Where do I begin.. to talk about a natural wonder which has no parallel. So I’ll start at the very beginning. We were 7 and since I’ve already been there once, I became the person to ask about what “this” is, where do we get that and all that. I played it down and didn’t hype thing up as they did it for me. It really is good to go see a beautiful place without any preconceptions. No expectations.. no big disappointments even if the day is cloudy and u cannot see half the canyon. Therefore half nods and mono-syllables were my replies to all their queries.

Being a student at the UofA, Tucson, people would laugh at u if after 5 years, u are talking to friends and u said u never set ur eyes on this marvel. What’s wrong with u, u lived in the GC state and u never saw it…. So it began.

Saturday morning, Veteran’s day… 11 a.m. The car arrives just as planned and space in it is just right for 7 gals. Awesome legroom and luggage space (chevy something… not one to remember car names and all). Loaded in and set off to Phoenix, capital of the state about 2 hours away. Anthakshari and regular gossip made the drive very smooth and quick.

Lunch at a Andhra restaurant in the capital, Priya’s. U will not believe it. I have never in my life in USA (by this I mean Tucson, only Tucson and no other place) eaten such good South Indian food. Mark my words and repeat, I will never eat at any other place if I am in Phoenix. The Buffet cost $10 but it was worth every penny and more. Being my veggie day (my friends call it my “dry” day), I couldn’t eat chicken. But still, I devoured every morsel of veggie food that I could lay my hands on. The owners are a friendly lot and since they were friends with our team leader, Miss Music, we got lots of inside info about some recipes (trade secrets!!). Had a photo session and then loaded into the car once more.

Drive to Flagstaff lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some more gossip and photo sessions later, we arrived at this beautiful little town which looked as if it were rooted out of sleepy Europe and placed on the typical American Inter State Highway. Slopy streets, and beautiful stone houses with gardens, lawns and pets on them with a climate to match. Could one ask for more. But there is more, a university in this town, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY. Blessed are those who get to study there. No need for a European vacation. Just camp outside ur dorm and save tons.

Then came Williams in another 45 minutes. This is another town known just for being the closest, cheapest place to stay in when u wish to go to GC. Our destination was 50 miles away.

One hour later came Tusayan (sorry if I got the spelling wrong) which is one mile from GC village. We were going to put up in the Red Feather Lodge. There was lots of merriment and dancing and games that night. The food was the American usual, pizza. 11.30 at night, I went to bed, tired out and slept like a log. For the next morning, we had to catch the sunrise.

Woke up with a jolt in the morning, got ready really early and stepped out. There was the usual smoker’s mouth gimmick to do and make others laugh. Stepped on the road and did some disco (there was ice on the tar road and being Indians who have never seen that, took pics of that too). The car was covered with a thin layer of ice which both Music and B scrapped up. Loading and going on.. The pass costed $25 for 7 people. I think a pass for one year costs $20 and if u are going to other national parks later in the year, u can get the pass here for $50.

Then the grandeur that is the GC rose before us. We were mesmerized. No one talks, no giggles.. just plain awe. We stood transfixed by the sight before us. The sun was playfully touching the mountain tops at one corner of the scenery while the other parts were still shrouded in darkness and then slowly she blushes like a newly wed. The pink changes to red as the sun rises and a gasp escaped from everyone’s lips. Time stood frozen as each eye vied with another to take in more of that …. what do I call it, FIRST LOVE…

Arcindya