 |
| LOVE, BIG THE GRAND CANYON |
First of all, the thing that it surprised me most was the buildings during the South West trip. When the airplane that I rode made it landing at New Mexico, I saw some interesting scenery. It was that the land was expanded to enormous desert. I can not believe this was in America. I had never seen real desert, so it was my first time to see such landscape. I am used to the nature in Spokane. As a result, my image about America is that it has a lot of nature everywhere. I thought it is natural. However, my selfish wrong impression was overturned by the scenery that I saw from airplane. My great trip was started from this new discovery.
Second, I met fabulous people through New Mexico and Arizona. I especially enjoyed talking to students who commute to the University of New Mexico. They are studying Japanese, so they can speak a little Japanese. Listening and trying to understand what they told me were enjoyable for me, so I was able to feel the American feelings that they talked about. I think it is a kind of harmonious thing. When I saw their attitude of trying to tell their opinion to us, I felt really happy. This experience was supported my new discovery, because I am also studying English as my second language. We are in the same position for studying another language. If their grammar and words have mistakes, it would not make me uncomfortable. I had never felt thiese feelings. I was afraid of making a mistake, but I changed my mind. Making a mistake is good. We can learn more from mistakes. During the South West trip, I learned my attitude as a person who is studying another language.
Third, I saw an impressive and fantastic spiral staircase at Loretto Chapel. This spiral staircase was built without the central pole. There was a reason that I was impressed when I saw it. An old man told us the three mysteries about the spiral staircase. The mysteries are "Who built it?","Why is this staircase keep standing without a pole?" and "What material was used this staircase?". People still don't know the fact of matter. I like such a mysterious things, so I was interested in it a lot. Before we visited the chapel, we were able to learn the mysteries. As a result, I really enjoyed sightseeing in this chapel. Having the knowledge about things helps me to be active and understand history better. I think it is difficult to experience this in Japan, so I could think about the profits of the trip for me.
Forth, there was a substantial opportunity that I think about races. This new thinking was caused when I visited the Sky City where Acoma pueblo is. I didn't have enough knowledge about Acoma and I couldn't imagine their life. I had felt their life exists only in a dream. However, Acoma people are staying the sky city and retaining their tradition. When I saw them, in fact, I thought their tradition was their everyday life. I was also surprised at the difference between Acoma people and Japanese. Most Japanese don't care about their tradition and races because it is remarkable. In addition, most Japanese haven't experienced the differences about races. Acoma people is always thinking about it. We are far apart from Acoma people not only in distance, but also in thinking. I would like to ask them "Your life is impacted and controlled by your tradition. Is it too heavy for you?". However, I couldn't ask about it. They try to keep their tradition. I thought this question may be rude for Acoma people. After all, I couldn't ask, but it was a good opportunity to judge in myself if it is correct or incorrect.
Finally, through the all days on the trip, I noticed one valuable thing that it always exists in my heart. It is thankfulness to my mother. I thought it all the time from the bottom of my heart like when I saw the milky way on the Grand Canyon, looked at the scenery and even ate food. I was able to feel the happiness. Moreover, I thought it is not usual. I am able to stay here by an approval from my mother. I could feel that, so I would like to tell my mother about this thankfulness.
This time was absolutely fabulous trip for me. It is like a jewel box that filled with a lot of gorgeous jewels. If I open the box, a lot of awesome memories would overflow. I intend to keep holding this important jewel box in my mind. I can open it easily when I am suffering from hardships, because this gives me encourage. What a amazing trip!!!!!!!