Anh T Hoang

Sabatino Mangini
English 112
3/17/2015

TRAVELING TO CALIFORNIA
My dream became true. 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 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 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. 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, 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 at
Shops Inside Little
Saigons commercial
center

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.

Sleeping Beauty Castle, the icon of Disneyland Park.

Location

Disneyland Resort, 1313 Disneyland

Dr, Anaheim, California, United States

Theme

Fairy tales and Disney characters

Owner

The Walt Disney Company

Operated by

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Opened

July 17, 1955[1]

Previous names

Disneyland

Operating season Year-round

Website

Disneyland 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. Disneyland in California is the first theme park in the world in 1955. It is
divided into eight main sections such as Main Street, U.S.A, 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 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 on Disneyland opening ceremony 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.

Main Street, U.S.A.

(July 4, 2010)

Adventureland
(Themed for a 1950s view of adventure, capitalizing on the post-war Tiki craze)

New Orleans Square

(The Haunted Mansion and Fantasmic! viewing area in 2010)

Frontierland
(Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 2008)

Fantasyland
(Peter Pan's Flight and the Matterhorn Bobsleds)

Mickey's Toontown

Tomorrowland
(Space Mountain in 2009)