Anh T Hoang

Sabatino Mangini
English 112
4/14/2015

TRAVELING TO THE WEST COAST OF AMERICA( Final)

My dream became true when I reached America called the promising land in the late of
2012. I was welcomed by the heavy snow in Pennsylvania, one of the Middle Atlantic States of
America, where I used to wish that I could look at snowflakes, walk in the snow, pick up fists of
snow, and throw at my friends cheerfully. I really desired the cold weather because Vietnam, 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. On the big trees were branches as fire woods and seldom were passengers in
the streets. The atmosphere was dull and boring because this place 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, is one of the Pacific Coast
States of America. When I got off the plane in Los Angles, I felt the dramatic change of the
climate between the East (Pennsylvania) and the West ( California). I look like bears that sleep to

avoid the cold of the winter, and get up to welcome the warmth of the spring. The beauties of
nature can be found here by Geoffrey- Winthrop Young
Sun and rain and the smell of grass and trees,
Rushing of wind and the slanting yellow gleam
Of sunset, these are pleasures and only these.
In fact, 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 were busy
with customers in nice clothes. Especially, it was nearly traditional Vietnamese Lunar New
Years Day called Tet, so 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, cherry blossoms and a wide variety of colorful flowers as orchids,
mimosas, and so on. On weekends before Tet, Vietnamese overseas 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 worn, 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 were seen here. Also, there is a Dragon-Lion dance held
to bring luck, happiness, and prosperity to the shops.

FLOWER FAIR in front of

Little Saigon, Orange County in California
Shops Inside Little
Saigons commercial
center at Tet

Amazingly, I could enjoy the beauty of the Vietnamese tradition, which was preserved through
these festivals here.
On my next day, it rained a little when we went to Disneyland Amusement Park. I hardly
described my feeling about this place.
Like a kid,
I expect Christmas gifts
From Santa Claude
I am looking forward day by day to
Discovering Disneyland .
Welcomed by Snow White Princess,
Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and
Dumbo Flying Elephant in nice costumes,
With warm hugs or friendly handshakes,
I pet their velvet fur.
Lost in legendary world,
Disguised into favorite cartoon characters,
Interesting to hear whispers of the animal world.
An unforgettable grand Disney Parade 2012.(Video)

This was the first time I visited it although I had heard of it and seen it through vivid pictures of
advertising on TV. Disneyland in California is the first theme park in the world in 1955. With
endless renovation, it is divided into eight main sections such as Main Street, Adventureland,
New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Mickeys Toontown, and
Tomorrowland that attract both children and adults. 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 Sleeping Beauty, 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
most 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. It looks like the mouth open of the
monster. 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. Hero poked fun at me You dont have less courage than
Jessica. 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

In Walter E. Disneys speech at Disneyland opening ceremony on July 17, 1955,

To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond
memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.
Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America,
with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.

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 and
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. (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.

The hotel I was impressed most was the replica of Venice, Italy. It is called as floating city, love
city, or romantic city. In reality, the city is covered with the Grand Canal with many bridges;
however, Rialto Bridge is famous for historical features. Las Vegas in February was rather hot,
but the atmosphere of this hotel was cool because there is a canal right here. Two couples were
cruising on the canal with two small boats. The scene became more romantic with sweet love

songs. It reminded me of girls in my countryside who was rowing, singing Vietnamese

traditional songs. The hotel was more and more magnificent at night. Shops along the canal
which were decorated with colorful lights were busy with visitors. Particularly, the hotel has put
on unique features as both ancient and modern.

My visit to California is a good start of getting access to a new world. Today, I would like to
express my heartfelt thanks to my high school friends.
Dear my beloved friends,
I am grateful to you for the donation of this journey. Although you have lived in America for a
long time, you arent influenced by Western culture. Your emotion is full of enthusiasm, intimacy
and hospitality. It warms up my heart, and I dont feel lonely when I live in this new land. All of
you are always around me to give me more strength, and encouragement. Visiting California is
useful because I can observe the modernity of America with my naked eyes. I wonder when
Vietnam can reach these achievements. Again, I thank you for welcoming me warmly.
Best wishes,
Anh Hoang
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. In fact, it is considered as a shining city on the
hill.