by Gilbert Gittens
My best vacation ever was undoubtedly coming to the United States. My straight
A's in school were awarded by having the trip of my life. New York being the state of my
destination, was the largest city I've ever visited. For the first time in my life at age 13,
I had the greatest vacation any kid in my country can ask for. It's not a custom in
Venezuela for parents to offer their children such pleasure, so I was really lucky and
grateful. Coming to America meant to meet new people and sceneries never imagined. It
was so beautiful experiencing something different for a change. Never being outside of
my home country Venezuela, coming to New York became my yearly routine, where my
grades truly paid off. The unforgettable experience of taking a plane, where it's view
offered tremendous sights that were forever in my head.
My mom had a saying that good grades always paid off. I never knew what she
meant, I thought that I was going to have lots of presents or even going off to the camp
for summers. She was always so mysterious. Though my father was already living in new
York, it never crossed my mind that one day I was coming to New York. By the end of
the school year my grades were better than ever, straight A's. My mom said she had a
surprised for me. She told me that I was going to spent the summer with my father in
New York. I was in shock, doubting the moment. I started remembering all the movies
I've seen from Hollywood, all the pictures of my dad and the places his been. My mind set
me off completely. I was the happiest kid in all Venezuela. I took a plane two weeks later.
I was really nervous but at the same time really happy. The scenery from the plane was
incredible, so much water and islands. It was a vast ocean I had below me. About 5 hours
later my plane was destined to land. I buckled my seat belt with a hard pounding