My first trip to US!

[hera]

Dear friends,

Long time no see. How have you been? Don't you think the peak of hot summer seems to be passing away? I just came back home from ten-day tour to America. This time I went sightseeing of the western part of the United States. As soon as I first stepped into Korea, I felt the humid and sticky heat surrounding me. To make matters worse, the heavy rain was greeting me at the airport.

I don't know where to start. Let me reveal that it was my first trip to US. In addition, I was alone. I mean I didn't accompany anybody. I was entirely alone among the throng although it was a package tour. Whenever I got lost in the large square or outlet or had a carsickness, nobody took care of me. I had to solve my own problems by and for myself.

Before leaving home, I had a vague and pleasant illusion about my trip and America. But by the time I came back home, I thoroughly realized that ours are the best and what I have thought about life abroad is just a dream.
Frankly speaking, I have thought that there was nothing special or particular to show and sell foreigners as sightseeing items in our country. But it turned out to be my preconception. In the great outlets or department stores, I could hardly find anything better than ours in quality and prices. (Of course, I didn't spend any money shopping.)
The sites that I looked around were not much better than ours except Grand Canyon, which was the best and so amazing. There was nothing comparable to it in the world.
I want to recommend the Grand Canyon as the best place that nature and history made.
There was nothing special in other so-called attractions.

If we develop our tourist potentials such as our traditional culture, rivers, mountains and valleys(not grand but humble), historic spots etc, we will be the best one of the sightseeing countries. However, to begin with, there is one thing for us to learn from them. It is their high civil and order consciousness. They seem to know how to be kind to others, how to help them and how to keep the rules they made. I think it is not our sightseeing resources but our civil consciousness that we really lack.

Let me tell you two episodes.
One happened in Las Vegas. The city of gambling, Las Vegas was so beautiful that I was entirely attracted by the night view of it. There were lots of things to see and enjoy, but the problem is a limited time alloted to us. Two or more hours seemed to be short to enjoy few of them, but we had to finish our sightseeing within fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, I had no film in my camera. So I had to get one at any rate, but it was so hard to find the stores in a square and hotel due to lots of throng and the overwhelming scale of the building. I really wanted to remain these beautiful scenery forever in my film, so tried to find a shop and luckily could buy one roll of film by $ 9,99. (Remember the price of film is very expensive in US.)
When I came back to our meeting place, there was no acquaintance there except the strangers and the luxurious and colorful neon signs. I was embarrassed but I remembered what the guide said; Remember. "If you are not punctual, you have to enjoy yourself here and come back to the hotel alone." Our next plan was to see the Jubilly Show in Bally Hotel after finishing the night tour. I already paid $ 80 and the guide made reservations for the show. I couldn't lose the show but didn't get the ticket from him. I made up my mind to find the hotel and get permission without the ticket. I hurried to find the hotel. Luckily it was just opposite the place where I was missing. I hurried to walk to find the crosswalk, but there was no crosswalk around there. I found the overpass in the distance. It looked near, but not so close. Any way I came close to the overpass, but couldn't find the stairs of it. People was entering a certain building, so I followed them and there was a large escalator. The building was connected with the overpass. I could also enter the building through the escalator, which made me so confused. The hall was so large that I couldn't find the box office. I asked several times about the directions and finally found the box office of the club. I explained my present situation in detail and the lady in the box office seemed to accept my excuse and called somewhere and another guy appeared and heard my story again. He led me into the theatre and said that I had to enjoy the show at any seat.
After the show, I waited for my party and they were so surprised to see me. The guide said that I was the first Korean who entered the theater in the middle of the show without the ticket. In fact, I didn't expect that I could enter without a ticket in the middle of the show without ticket because I know America is the name of principle and rule. Anyway my method was allowed there.

The other was very urgent and shocking to me. I shared the hotel room with a beautiful lady for four days, but in LA she left and I had to use the large hotel room alone. As soon as I entered the room, I locked the door. In addition I hooked the safety chain on the door. After that, I took a shower for a long time, dried my hair, covered my body with the big towel and touched the knob of the door happily. The knob was a little stiff and I turned it several times. Suddenly the knob was pulled out leaving the hole on the door. I was locked in the bath room. I was so confused, but tried to find tranquility because it sometimes happens at home. I looked around to find any tool but there was nothing. Twenty minutes passed and I had a thought that I might be there till next morning when the maid came to clean the room. I was scared but didn't shouted or screamed. I spared my voice for the more urgent moment. I just knocked the door several times with my palm. Fortunately, at the moment, the mechanic of the hotel was passing in front of my room. He opened the hotel door but could not enter the room because I hooked the door lock chain. He said that he would be back soon and went to take the tool. Soon he appeared and broke the chain and opened the bathroom door with the tool. Of course, I covered my whole body using the towels. He asked that I would complain to the hotel about this accident. I didn't want to bother anyone. I really appreciated his quick response to the emergency. I said that I was lucky to have him so soon. I took a sound sleep without any nightmare.

I had a sincere and chronic disease called 'princess syndrome'. But through this tour, I came to realize what I am.

I will post several pictures that I took on the material room on the cafe. Enjoy them.

[박승련]

wow. you had great experience for yourself. if you face to difficult situation, you can over come very well. your story is very interesting.

[golden age]

Only two hours in Vegas? I feel pity for you. You should've contacted me and I could have treated you to a nice Korean restaurant in LA. Gotta let bygones by bygones, unfortunately. HOpe you enjoyed the trip!

[smiley]

You seemed to have both good and hard time. All your troubles during the trip will certainly turn out unforgettable, funny and joyful memories later days of your life. By the way, did you get over from the jet lag?

[Amaryllis]

I saw your face, Hera! Who is the woman in a picture that you posted on the board? I think that it's you. Really, really beautiful.... I enjoyed your episode on the trip. See you.

[silverplane]

I really enjoyed your writing and pictures. I think this is my first message to you. I want to say "How do you do? Ma'am". Nice meeting you esp. when you are fresh back from the trip to U.S. -s.p.-