My Unforgettable Southwest Trip

I had an amazing time on the Southwest trip from October 10th to 16th with all extension students. There were a lot of natures which was the first time to feel or me in New Mexico and in Arizona. South West was different with East coast. I could feel new American cultures and history. This one week trip was absolutely fascinating. In this week, time blew so fast. Each day was all nice. I enjoyed  to go some places where make me impressive.

A Staircase of Loretto Chapel

First, I really enjoyed spending time in Santa Fe. Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. I spent much time here. I like its atmosphere like a Pueblo style building, it’s made by Adobe. In front of Palace of Governors, there were some street stall. Native American sell art and jewelry such as pottery, turquoise or silver accessories, and other beautiful handmade items there. I bought a turquoise a pair of earrings. It’s so cute. Also, I enjoyed a Mexican food at not only Santa Fe, but also during whole this trip. For instance, I ate a tortilla at Cowgirl Restaurant. Tortilla is Mexican traditional food. We choose some ingredient by buffet style. My favorite ingredients were green pepper, mushroom and beef. There was a lot of chili goods such as real pepper, processed food, and accessories. I ate red chill and green chill. Both of them were nice. Red one is hotter than green one. I preferred green one. Moreover, I visited some chapel. My most favorite chapel was “The Loretto Chapel”. In this chapel, there was a staircase. This chapel is known as famous for this staircase. I was interested in story that it is miracle that staircase is made by man for sisters with no nail. Some of my friends said they can’t believe this story, but I can believe it. I want to visit Santa Fe again.

With my wonderful friends and nice guide of UNM

Second, I enjoyed to visiting the University of New Mexico. This school has a lot of majors. It’s about 220. We had a tour of campus. Of course, campus was so huge. At first, I was surprised by movie theater. I want it at MFWI or MWU! Also there were some Pueblo style buildings, so campus’s atmosphere was beautiful. I learned a lot of things about UNM. The mascot of UNM is wolf, Lobo. And then we talked with two students of UNM. They spoke Japanese fluently, and they are supposed to go to Akita, Japan next year as a exchange student. One of them said he want to teach English in Japan in the future, and they told us interesting story of them and about UNM. Also I told them about Japanese. Moreover, the teacher was really good at speaking Japanese, because she had lived in Japan for about three years, and she said she loved Rakugo. We talked both in English and in Japanese. It was so fun. I could eat lunch with them. At dinning hole, called Raposada, there were a lot of kind of food we can eat. I ate fries, pork soup,and berry smoothie. All of it was delicious. This university was very exciting. I really enjoyed the UNM.

Finally, I was impressed by Grand Canyon. To go Grand Canyon is one of my reason why I decided to join the Extension Program, so one of my dreams came true. These view were really magnificent and enormous more than I expected. The first view moved me. I thought it is easy to fall into the under of bluff. On the free day, I really enjoyed to feel something new into me with my group members. I could see the sunrise. I got up in early morning, and went to Hopi point. It was so cold and dark, but became warm and bright as rising sun. I’d never seen such a beautiful sunrise. We went to some point where we can see Grand Canyon impressively, and took a lot of nice picture. These scenery depended on the point of view. Also we went to Hopi point to see the sunset. It was more fantastic than the sunrise for me. During sunrise and sunset, movement was so fast. Also I went to

Before sunset at Grand Canyon

Market to buy dinner, and Japanese tourist talked me. They live in Osaka in Japan. I enjoyed talking with them. Then I thought my Japanese was little strange, because I’m trying to speak English only with my group members. It is not good that can’t speak Japanese well, but I felt a little pleasure. I promised again to keep speaking English only as possible as I can. That opportunity was one of my memories of Grand Canyon. At Grand Canyon I thought my life is in a small world. I want to go abroad more. I’ll never forget this amazing experience. I want to take my family to Grand Canyon someday. They could surely enjoy. At Grand Canyon, my sense of values is a little bit changed. I'm glad to be able to went to Grand Canyon.

Through this trip, I could make unforgettable memories in my life. I could know the culture of Southwest such as history of nature,museums, and food. I started to feel like I want to go place where I can feel something new by nature around the world by this trip. Also the weather was good all day. We were lucky. I really had a fabulous time. I want to go Southwest again someday.