Impressions and Reflections
As I slowly opened my eyes, my vision became clear as light faded and my eyes focused, and then I remembered that I was on a field trip with the MESA organization to the Griffith Observatory. The...
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A Token of Gratitude
From my aunt’s hillside cabin in Silver Gate, Montana I could hear the strums of a guitar in the children’s park below. My dad had already set up our chairs in the lawn so we could...
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The Never Ending Journey
Traveling, it's a never ending journey. Traveling through life, through memories, through stages and phases. It also signifies journeying to a new landscape. Facing new climates, challenges,...
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Chased down the Mountain
An Adventure and beautiful scenery– that was the promise my dad and younger brother made to me as we made our way to the trailhead for the MacRae Peak hike on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. ...
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The Kintamani Experience
If you saw my family and me in the early morning hours of June 17th, 2008, you would never guess that we were in for the experience of a lifetime. It came in the form of a bicycle tour...
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I Climbed The Great Wall
On August 5, 2011, my family embarked on an adventure. Our adventure would take us to five continents, 16 countries, and countless cities and towns all over the world. We spat in the face of normal...
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College is brighter on the West Coast
All my classmates attending were gathered in front of the school, everyone with their luggage at hand. It was 5:30 in the morning;...
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Aquatic thrills, mingling with mammals, and much more found only in Paradise
As I gripped the rails that kept me from plummeting, my knuckles turned as white as the grains of sand on the pearly white beach. Then the light turned green signaling that it was my turn. ...
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Alamosa
Running. Most people consider it a hobby, or something that people without lives do. However, for me, and the other members of my cross country team, it's a way of life. Because of our trip to...
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Hoodwinked
When I first found out that I would be vacationing in Haiti, I had mixed emotions. Visiting exotic locations is one of my passions, but the idea of spending three weeks in isolated villages had me...
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The Rain Clouds Below Us
A blast of hot sticky air hit my face as I got off the bus; my first instinct was to turn around and retreat back into the air-conditioned oasis. But unfortunately for me the bus doors had already...
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New York City also known as the “Big Apple” With so Many Wonderful Places to See
The big city of New York had always been on my list of places to go. As seen in the movies, the tall buildings and the thousands of people seem to make it all the more inviting!...
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The Art of Giving
Stepping off the bus, I was hit hard with the hot August air and the smell of burning forests miles away. I looked around this small, forgotten village in the Russian countryside and sensed the sharp...
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Destination Free Wifi
Getting up at 4:00am to go to the Airport is not what I had in mind for my first week of summer vacation....
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Personally Exotic
In the spring of 2012, my junior year of high school, I had the pleasure to go on a Royal Caribbean cruse to the Bahamas. It was for four sun filled days spent out near the beautiful clear ocean...
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Life in Sandwiches
My first morning on the Cherokee reservation was spent being sardined between hundreds of ecstatic teens from all over of the country on groaning bleachers in a dimly lit auditorium in beautiful...
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Passions found in Santo Domingo
I have been told my entire life that it is important to find something you are passionate about. Fortunately, for me, I was able to figure out that passion at the age of 8. That marks my first...
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A Tale of Two Countries
The scorching sun beams on my face, the dry, sandy wind blows by, causing me to squint my eyes, and the sizzling terrain burns my feet. Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest places in the world; it’s...
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Foot-sore and Fancy-Free
Ten AM local time, and we’re taking our first steps into Midway Airport on patriotic July Fourth. My family has no map, no plans, and no problems. At face value, our reason for coming here...
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Slovakia: Little Country, Big Heart
Slovakia. No it’s not near Kazakhstan. Nor is it in the Middle East. If your geography is failing you, does Czechoslovakia ring a bell? Actually, Czechoslovakia dissolved almost...
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My Trip to South Africa
Last winter I had an amazing experience in Johannesburg, South Africa. My father and I traveled with a group called Swamp Corps to help set up a church camp. Swamp Corps is a group from...
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Unexpected, Unforgetable
If I had to describe my travel experience at World Youth Day 2011 in only one word instead of six hundred, I would choose 'unexpected'. I embarked on this semi-annual pilgrimage...
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A Southerner’s Trip to the Middle East… and Back
Though I have had the honor of participating in a multitude of programs throughout my high school career, there is no doubt in my mind that none will ever be able to compare with studying abroad...
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A Shift in Perspective
Travel. That one word brings many images to mind. Beautiful locations and amazing times, new foods and different...
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And My Future Was Written To Be in NYC
It all started with Nick Jonas. I was 16 and madly obsessed with him and the Jonas Brothers. He had a Broadway show and I live 3000 miles away from it. So, I longed. I persuaded. I convinced. I bought....
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Far Yet Close in Nicaragua
“Buenas tardes,” A dark-skinned middle aged man said. “H-hola,” I stuttered,...
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Tales From a Mountain Side
After nine hours, I finally stepped off the small, confined plane into the cool Alaska breeze. Gorgeous mountains, peaks covered with snow surrounded me. The picture perfect scenery, as if painted...
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Service Trip in Mississippi
From July 15 to July 21, 2012 I, along with other students from Saint Ignatius went to Mississippi for a service trip. We stayed in Walls, Mississippi, which is the poorest County in the United States....
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The True Meaning of Wealth
Going to Nicaragua this past Febraury was a life-changing experience. I went with my temple, Temple Shaaray Tefila, and Bedford Presbyterian Church, on a trip sponsored by Bridges to Community. The...
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