Paradise by Nadya Vorotnikova
Paradise… Does it exist? Is it just a dream, a fantasy that lurks in a persons mind? Is it a place that you can only see in dreams, and never get to catch a glimpse of in reality? Maybe paradise is different to each person, and special in its own way. For some, paradise would be a long, dazzling beach with palm trees and as much food as they can possibly eat. For some it could be in a rocket ship, flying through the galaxy, passing numerous twinkling stars. If so, then what would paradise be like for me?
I believe I already have seen a most beautiful place in my life. When I arrived to this paradise, I told my dad to stop the car while he was driving – it was the most stunning sight I had ever laid my eyes on. My mouth opened as I lifted my head, and I took my time as I turned in circles looking all around me. I knew this place was going to be beautiful, but I didn’t expect THIS. My mother laughed at how silly I looked, with my mouth gaping open. I didn’t care if anyone thought I looked stupid, since at the time, my brain was trying to process what my eyes were observing. My mind seemed to be hazy, as if asking my eyes if they are telling the truth, because it was difficult to believe what I was seeing. The vision was so incredible that it took my breath away. “Come on, there is tons more to see” – my dad told me, trying to get me to come back in the car. I acted as if I didn’t hear him. After a couple more minutes of gaping at the view around me, my eyes started lowering as they fell upon the sign that said “Welcome to Yosemite”.
“Yosemite” – I whispered- “a climber’s paradise”. Then I looked right back up at the striking rock called El Capitan.
When all of us got to camp four, my neck started to hurt from looking up so much. The rocks were so massive, and mesmerizing, I couldn’t keep my eyes away from them. When I saw Aleksey and my friends at the campsite, I got an extreme urge to go climbing. Watching the rock is one thing, but climbing it – now that’s a whole different story.
The weeks that I spent climbing in Yosemite National Park were the best times of my life. I believe there is a paradise for everyone in this world… you just have to know where to look.
