Anh T Hoang

Sabatino Mangini
English 112
3/5/15

TRAVELING TO CALIFORNIA
Pennsylvania, which is one of the Middle Atlantic States of America, entered the Union in
1787 as the second state (Pennsylvania). It marked a historic milestone because Declaration of
Independence and the United States Constitution were drawn up and signed in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. I came to Pennsylvania in December, 2012. I was welcomed by the snow which I
used to wish that I could watch snowflakes, walk in the snow and pick up fists of snow, and
throw at my friends cheerfully. I really desired the cold weather because my hometowns climate
is tropical with two seasons such as dry and rainy season. In reality, snow or snow storms are
terrible if you walk in the snow storms with spells of strong winds. The strong winds look like
the fire which licks my face skin. My skin became more itching, my cheeks became more
blushing, and my lips were dry and cracking. The landscapes were covered with the white of
snow. The atmosphere was dull and boring. On the big trees were branches as fire woods . It
lacked life energy to survive. This was the first time I had celebrated Christmas and New Year far
from hometown in a sad mood. I found it difficult to be adapted to the unusual weather. Luckily,
my high school friends invited me to their house in Orange County, California. California, which
is one of the Pacific Coast States of America, entered the Union in 1850 as the thirty-first state
(California). When I got off the plane in Los Angles, I felt the dramatic change of the climate
between the East and the West. I look like bears that sleep in the winter, and get up in the spring.

The landscapes were overwhelmed with the green of vegetation. Every house was filled with
sunlight, and birds were dancing beautifully in the sky. I felt as if I reached the paradise. The
large streets were crowded with cars. The shops, malls, and restaurants are busy with customers
in nice clothes. Especially, it was nearly Vietnamese Lunar New Years Day, there was a flower
fair in front of the commercial center Phuoc, Loc, Tho in Little Saigon, Orange County. I was
getting lost in the fairy garden with traditional flowers as apricot blossoms and a wide variety of
colorful flowers as orchids, mimosas, peach blossoms, and so on. On weekends, Vietnamese
people rushed to this commercial center in order to not only go shopping but also enjoy this
special atmosphere of hometown. Traditional dresses ao dai, red papers written poems,
proverbs, and idioms, red envelopes put in lucky money, special foods such as square sticky rice
with pickles, candied fruits and fruits offered ancestral altars are sold here. Also, there is a
Dragon-Lion dance held to bring luck, happiness, and prosperity to the shops.

California is renowned for tourism which lures about three hundred million domestic and
foreign travelers. Southern California has some of the countrys most outstanding entertainment
attractions, including Disneyland, in Anaheim; Universal Studios Hollywood, in Universal City;
Knotts Berry Farm, in Buena Park; Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Valencia (near Los Angeles);
and Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, both in San Diego( California). On my next day,

it rained a little when we went to Disneyland Amusement Park. This was the first time I visited it
although I had heard of it and seen it through vivid pictures of advertising on TV. A proverb says
Seeing is believing. I was bewitched by spectacular scenery as if I were lost into a fairy world
or a mythical world. I paid a visit to legendary castles in the cartoons as Cinderella, The
Princess sleeps in the forest, and Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, spent an exciting
submarine voyage in Finding Nemo, witnessed fierce fights in Pirates of Caribbean , was
terrified of Haunted Mansion and so on. However, one of the games which impressed me was
Splash Mountain. The scene from the mountain peak which I would have to slide over the
waterfall by a kayak or boat was frightening to me. I had a phobia of height, so I refused to join
it. Even so, I was encouraged by two close friends named Kathy and Hero and their daughter,
Jessica. Jessica, aged 13, tried to persuade me and said that If I can join it, you can. At last, I
decided to join it. First, together with their family, I got on a small boat. Jessica, who was a brave
girl, sat in the first position and I was in the second. We sailed in a dim, well-decorated cave with
solemn music, so it made everything more mysterious. I couldnt predict hardships to overcome.
Our boat sometimes collided big rocks as rapids which seemed to break it into pieces. I felt more
nervous that suddenly some mischievous monkeys appeared and jumped up and down eagerly in
front of us. Finally, while I was enjoying fresh air and sunshine with luxuriant trees and nice
rabbits dancing along both sides, I suddenly realized that I was facing up a new challenge. Our
boat was preparing to plunge into the waterfall. I hurriedly gripped the boat sides, closed my
eyes and shouted loudly to restrain from the terror. My face and body were wet because of
splashes of water. Can you imagine that all was taken by a camera? Whenever I look at this
unique photo, I cant stop laughing.

My journey to California would not have been perfect if I had not spent two days in Las
Vegas, a famous tourist resort. It is located in Las Vegas city, Southeast Nevada, which is not far
from Orange County. It took us two and a half hours to drive there. This was a good opportunity
for me to observe the scenery along the streets. There were too many hills and mountains with
shrubs and cactuses, so the landscapes looked like a desert. Strangely, I couldnt believe in my
own eyes because in front of me a magnificent city appeared. I thought that I was daydreaming
because this city might be built for the upper class. Black Limousines, red Rolls-Royce and
different expensive cars were moving to and fro; hundreds of passengers in colorful clothes were
strolling, talking together eagerly. Tall modern buildings and historic architectural buildings in
the world seemed to have been gathered here, so travelers only needed to go to Las Vegas to
admire Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, Pyramid, Rome, and so on. According to Funk &
Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, it is well- known for numerous glittering casinos and
luxury hotels and nightclubs. The many theme hotels that replicate world-famous attractions
include the pyramid-shaped Luxor; the Excalibur, a medieval castle; the Paris Las Vegas, with a
50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower; and New York-New York, with an imitation Statue of
Liberty, a roller coaster and arcade, and a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building. The
Stratosphere, a 383-m/1149-ft tall observation tower, is also here. Nellis Air Force Base (a major
regional employer), Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area are nearby.(Las
Vegas) In fact, it provides a wide variety of forms of entertainment. Also, it is an ideal place to
relax for us to forget stressful job and sorrows.
Traveling helps us widen knowledge by learning good things around us. A Vietnamese
proverb says: Traveling forms a young man. Compared to Europe or Asia, America has young

history but its development and civilization are supreme. It is considered as a shining city on the
hill.

Works cited:
"California." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (2014):
1p. 1. Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 4 Mar.
2015
"Pennsylvania." Funk & Wagnalls New World
Encyclopedia (2014): 1p. 1. Funk & Wagnalls New World
Encyclopedia. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.
"Las Vegas." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (2014):
1p. 1. Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 9 Mar.
2015.