Giza, Egpyt

In 7th grade, I distinctly remember a social studies unit where each student was assigned a great figure in the world. It was kind of like a research presentation, but 7th grade style. My topic was the Great Sphinx of Giza.

I've always thought that Egpyt was a mysterious place due to all the unique burials and rituals. The customs and traditions in Egpyt are so different from any other places. In the past, Kings and Queens were mummified and put into tombs. Then their tomb would be inside a pyramid. Also, the guts of the bodies were put inside little jars. There would also be rooms inside the pyramid housing extremely expensive treasures. Egypt is just kind of sketchy for me even though I "want" to visit.

I know that this post isn't much about the Great Sphinx, but these days I've been very busy because of an exhausting sport, so here's my post!! :D

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Barcelona, Spain

In spanish class, we learned about the different cultures and traditions in many hispanic nations. In many countries, people have siestas. In literal translation, siesta means "the sixth hour", but it actually is a period of sleep during the day. After a big lunch, many people take long naps and at night they get ready for FIESTAS (aka, "parties")

STEPS TO TAKE TO PERFECT THE CUSTOM:

1. EAT.

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2. SLEEP. (SIESTA)

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3. PARTY!! FIESTA

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seems fun right?? :D Even though it's just sleeping and partying. This seems so much more fun because it's in spain. :P

Venice, Italy

Haven't you ever wanted to ride a tiny, long boat where someone was singing to you in a romantic and foreign language, pushing the boat as it goes? I always see it in movies. Whenever I watch one of those icky lovey dovey honeymoon movies where the couple goes on a vacation to a different country like Italy, there's always a scene where they ride a romantic boat along a narrow river and site see the islands of Venice. And then they plant a kiss...

As romantic as it seems, it just seems so calming. What I need right now is a vacation where I can relax my worked up body. Everyday I sit around and do homework, eat a feast for dinner, run to my classes, and go to sports practices. It's one busy hell of a life. All i need is TIME. Not that I need it.. I just WANT it. So I know for sure that I will one day go to Venice and experience this calmness myself (and maybe I could bring a companion... maybe my future husband??) :D

I know that this would be ages away, but I just found out that the 118 tiny islands of Venice are sinking at a rate of 2.5 inches per decade. It may seem a little, but that's actually a lot because the world has another 12408264084752934875023496509387450193846052987402486503924875093248650238475329485720348650239847502394875 and more years to go. I know I'll probably be dead by then, but before some islands disappear, I would love to take a trip to Venice. I heard its a little dirty, but I know it will always stay beautiful.

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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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I lost ideas of what places to go to or where to be, so I asked one of my friends. He told me he wanted to go to the French Alps to snowboard, but then changed his mind to go to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador just to sight see. After looking at pictures of the Galapagos Islands, I thought, "Wow, what a beautiful place." So this is why I would like to go there.

I don't know much about the Islands. All I know is that some of my classmates have been there for vacation. When I looked up 'Galapagos Islands Ecuador' on Google Images, I saw the most magnificent creatures. I saw giant tortoises that looked like they've lived for more than a million years, beautiful beaches with light blue seas, and seals. I always thought seal lived in cold areas like Arctic seals, but I guess they also live on warm beaches like these islands as well.

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OMG! SOOO PRETTY isn't it? I'm so glad my friend told me about this place because I think that when I'm older I'm going to go visit this place whether on a cruise or just by plane. Next to that seal in the picture is going to be ME someday. hope they don't bite. yikes :D

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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There we have it. The tallest buildings in the world. (or was if you count the World Trade Center)

The Empire State Building built in 1931 still stands today in New York. It once was the tallest building in the world. Then the World Trade Center, built in 1972-1973, towered the rest. It was the tallest building not only in the United States, but the world too. Then, we have the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower), and it's located right here at home: Chicago. The next tallest tower in the United States is the Freedom Tower built in 2009. Although it's located in New York, it represents a lot to the U.S.

The picture above shows the competition to out-towering other towers. Although the U.S. used to be the leading tallest tower, it looks like Dubai beat us.

Burj Dubai (now known as Burj Khalifa) built for 5 years from 2004 to 2009, is the place to go. I've always been fascinated by heights and looking at "things" in a general and vague view. To see all of Chicago on top of the Willis Tower is a very wonderful view. However, the Burj Dubai is not only in the middle of a desert, but I could also see Dubai as a whole.

Although there are towers such as the Ultima Tower and the Eye-in-the-Sky Tower that are taller than the Burj Khalifa, I don't count them as true towers... just because. :D

Even though one night can cost a lot of money, I think it would totally be worth visiting, especially because Tom Cruise shot some scenes of Mission Impossible III: The ghost protocol at this hotel.

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Sydney, Australia

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This place looks beautiful. The Sydney Opera House is a performing arts center in Sydney, Australia. 

It doesn't really have a long history because it opened in 1973, designed by many different Architects like the Danish architect, Jørn Utzon. It has a few levels and is very large inside.

In 6th grade, my dream job was becoming an architect, because after I realized how unique and well built my house was, I wanted to create something even bigger and better. This also goes along the lines with the fact that I love crafts and using my hands to build and work. 

I've probably scene pictures and talked about the Sydney Opera House probably only about 3 or 4 times in my life, but the advanced architecture truly intrigued me. Someday, I will go to Sydney (which I think is one of the most peaceful countries in the world) and I'm going to buy a ticket to a show for the Sydney Opera House.

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Agra, India

There was no doubt that I've heard of such a thing called the Taj Mahal. I was little and didn't care much of anything that was beyond Northbrook.

However, in 2008, that all changed. I was probably eleven when I saw Slumdog Millionaire with my brother and his friends. This movie is about a teen who grew up in the Slums and becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "who wants to become a millionaire?" However, he's arrested in suspicion of cheating because he was answering all of the questions right. Then, as he's being interrogated, events throughout his life appear, explaining why he got all the answers correct.

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Here's the Trailer :D (beware.. it's rated R)
Slumdog Millionaire

There is one scene where Jamal, the male protagonist, approaches the Taj Mahal. Even thought he went with his older brother with the intentions of stealing because they were poor, as he was exploring this white marble mausoleum, I was, too.

It was built by Mughal emperor of Shah Jahan, honoring his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who had died in child birth of their 14th child.

I would really like to visit the Taj Mahal and observe the beauty in real life. Even though its a mausoleum, it has also become a great tourist attraction.

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