Cities, friends and a Church!

(Part IV of the Round Trip series)

There was a two-hour layover to connect to my next destination from Phoenix. After a couple of unforgettable evenings in Sin City, Las Vegas, I was off to another city. It is a city that not many people hear about. Part of the large Texas state, it has a reputation not as famous as its neighbors Houston or San Antonio, but it is home to one of the country's largest university-Texas Tech University with one of the country's best football teams, the TT Red Raiders. But more importantly, Lubbock, Texas is home to a couple of childhood friends from my hometown Liloan. I just can't miss out on visiting them!

It's been almost three years since I last saw these "rascals", RJ Orat, who flew to the US a few weeks after his wedding some two years ago, and Jasper Cañete whom I visited in 2004 and got married the year after that. We were all looking forward to this reunion.

Of course, the four days I spent with the two and their families was everything I hoped for and more. On my first night, we practically spent the entire evening chatting-catching up on the news back home and rekindled earlier times. I toured the small city, got to meet new people and yes, there was a little shopping. After seven days of moving and flying, this was my only chance to relax. It was a delightful visit.

I flew out of Lubbock on a Sunday evening, which just gave me enough time to rest for the next day's itinerary. I have a feeling that the only time you've ever heard of Tucson, Arizona was in the comedy flick Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. Hah, gotcha! Don't fret because that makes two of us. Well, initially, that's where I learned of this progressive city but after several visits to the state, the city is no longer foreign.

With the intention of visiting a family friend and a corporate headquarters, never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find myself in a mystery in the middle of the desert. Under my brother's influence I was dragged into an atypical experience.

Known as the 'White Dove of the Desert' the San Xavier Del Bac church sits magnificently just right outside of the city. Its size and color are striking amidst a backdrop of blue skies and desert tan. Founded by a Jesuit priest Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in the 1600s, its architectural distinction is timeless. Okay, we are in the middle of the Arizona summer but once we entered those massive, carved mesquite wooden doors, an embracing calm welcomed us. The sight of colorful paintings, carvings, frescoes and statues immediately stole our fancy. Inside the church is a 360-degree panorama that evokes both spiritual and emotional responses. Just simply awesome!

(Next week, we conclude our trip as we make a full circle as we make our turn back to the City of Angels. You don't wanna miss out on this one. Stay tuned for the concluding story.)