Besides trips to Korea, Canada was the second country I have ever visited. My first impression was, “It’s so similar to Los Angeles, I sometimes forgot I was in Canada.” My family and I first arrived at the airport in Vancouver. The weather was surprisingly warm when I thought it would have been more on the windy, chilly side. Unfortunately, that nice weather didn’t last, and started to get really cold and rainy. Our family, not knowing it would be this cold, did not prepare a suitcase filled with thicker clothing.
My most favorite attraction throughout the whole trip, would be the Butchart Gardens. As I walk in, the scent of various flowers start filling up the air around me. They had different types of gardens, like the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden. As I begin to walk into the Japanese Garden, a bright red door welcomes everyone. The beautiful culture of Japan surrounds me as I continue to walk through the garden. Next, the Rose Garden had rows and rows of roses that it made me feel like I was a bride walking down the aisle. A huge carousel was placed in the garden for all ages to enjoy. My grandma said, “In the Butchart Gardens, the fountain on the lake was so refreshing and enjoyable to watch.” I haven’t been on a boat ride since I was about 6, so I wasn’t sure if I would get seasick or not, but the ride was very calming and we ate a nice dinner on the boat.
My next most favorite attraction would be the Athabasca Icefield. The cars they used to drive up to icy mountain were huge and the tire’s height and width was incredible. When we got to the Icefield, it felt like we were ice skating in sneakers, so everyone had to be careful not to slip through the ice. It’s not everyday we can see snow and ice in LA, so when we experienced this beauty of nature, everyone was astonished. My dad said, “After seeing all those breathtaking pictures of nature, it was very fascinating to experience the beauty of nature with my own eyes during the trip to Canada.”
The nature is a breathtaking part of Canada. While in LA, it’s all filled with skyscrapers and busy streets while Canada has these beautiful lakes with these unique shades of blue and green. The freshness of the air was so different to LA. In the mornings, when we got up, the air was so crisp and wakening.
[Source: Author, Joanne Son]
My last memorable attraction, is the gondola ride. They were like mini versions of cable cars in Palm Springs. It went up 2,292 feet and lots of green trees and a path where people can actually hike up to the top. The view was incredible with so much greenness from all the trees and mountains. As we made it to the top of the mountain, a small museum had displays about the nature in Canada.
Since many attractions have to do with nature, it might get a little boring for the younger ones. But because we are so accustomed to the busy life of LA, the calm, serene setting of Canada could get a little boring for everyone. In the places we toured, there were attractions that older generations would enjoy more, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other places that younger generations might prefer. Since we visited the nature side of Canada this year, I hope to visit the other side soon!
Joanne Son, Grade 8
St. Brendan School
