Exploring the Land of Cactus...

Waking up for the first time on the West Coast was not difficult because we were too excited to sleep any longer! We had an amazing breakfast and packed our bags once to tour around Phoenix before continuing to the Grand Canyon.

We had a chance to see Arizona State University and the buildings were so different...the architect Frank Lloyd Wright really showed how gifted he was by the building he designed for the university's auditorium. After, we headed to the State Capitol where we saw the anchor of the USS Arizona, a ship bombed during Pearl Harbor, a statue of the goddess of Victory, Nike, and some cool big cactuses. We learned that if you cut down a cactus, you can get up to 25 years in prison!

The next stop was the Hole in the Rock at Papagos Park where we hiked up to the top and filled the entire hole with people. It was a nice view of the desert.

We then made a stop at the mall for some lunch and shopping for a couple hours. A lot of us bought something to remind us of the first stop on this awesome trip!

Before leaving Phoenix, we visited where the rich people live - the Biltmore Mansions. We all agree that the residents here should start hosting! HAHA.

Then the three hour bus drive to the Grand Canyon began, filled with conversation, music and movies.

We are arrived at the hotel in the middle of nowhere, and immediately ran to the fields to play soccer, volleyball, and tennis...or swim...or even visit the horses in the stable!

Our first full day of the West Coast trip has exceeded our expectations by far and we can't wait for the day tomorrow, we can't imagine an experience better than today, but we just know that tomorrow will be!

Dean from Thailand, Caro from Germany