We desert people are a proud nation. We live for the rain but thrive in the heat, and we are always ready for a random adventure when all other nightly prospects seem bleak. Having lived in Arizona for the majority of my life, I’d like to think I am a connoisseur of all things that occur in 120-degree temperatures. I have concluded that these are some genuine signs of a desert native:
1. You have attempted to bake cookies on your car dashboard.
Don’t deny it! We have tried (perhaps even successfully) to harness the powers of the desert sun and bake on our dashboards. From personal experience, there truly is more dignity in eating a cookie made from the actual Hell’s Kitchen.
2. You have no concept of winter attire.
Winter clothing for the children of the sun equals long sleeves and maybe jeans if we’re feeling extra chilly. We may own a winter coat for trips away, but mostly we hang it in our closets to foster the idea that, if it were to snow, we would be completely prepared to take on the fiercest of colds.
3. You are a pool party aficionado.
Dayges, daygers, darties. Whatever you may call it, we’ve got you covered! We know the importance of a good time and a good swim, and pool parties are the surefire way to both beat the heat and spice up the typical party scene.
4. You’ve journeyed to a mountain at night.
When the night initially seems dead, desert people love to trek up to a mountain to enjoy the views of the surrounding cities. The mountains are usually prime spots for stargazing, making them hotspots for dates or just hanging out with adventurous friends.
5. You’ve posted at least one Snapchat story of the sunset.
Speaking of views, we desert natives love to pay homage continually to our breathtaking sunsets via Snapchat. The amount of identical stories posted of the same sunset image may seem like an overload, but can you blame us? There is no sight comparable to that of the pinks and oranges of a desert sunset.
6. When you hear the word “haboob,” you don’t giggle.
Haboobs are a kind of dust storm common in a desert environment. We desert people have experienced our fair share of haboobs, and we always have to explain what exactly these are to outsiders. (Admittedly, we all still giggle a little at the name.)
7. A cactus has personally victimized you.
While the myth of cacti being on every single street corner is false, it is typically true that we desert folk have had some sort of encounter with a cactus. Whether we’ve simply pricked ourselves or fully fallen into one, we have left the Battle of the Cacti 0-1, with the cacti being the ultimate victors.
At the end of the day, those of us who were born and raised under the desert sun hold a special bond. We understand what it really means to sweat, we love to enjoy and flaunt the desert aesthetic, and, regardless of where we may travel, we are always proud to represent our fiery roots.
