What do you think about the United States? A country with the richest and strongest military power in the world? A country with beautiful nature? The United States I experienced was a wonderful country with beautiful nature and unique culture. I want to tell you my short but memorable Western United States trip to you.

First spot: Los Angeles

After 11hours flight from Incheon, I arrived in Los Angeles, the largest city in the western United States. Los Angeles is also called the City of Angels. In response to its reputation, Los Angeles was a city with perfect weather. The temperature in Los Angeles is 27 to 32 degrees Celsius when it is daytime, but it was not too hot because there is little humidity, so it was good to travel. The reason why Los Angeles is famous for Koreans is because it has the biggest Korea Town in the world. I felt the American atmosphere at the airport, and as soon as I arrived at Korea Town, I got the feeling that I’m in Korea because of Korean brands and Korean signboards which were familiar to me. After a brief meal at Koreatown, I left for Universal Studios Hollywood.

The reason why Universal Studios Hollywood is special is that there is a tour where tourists can go directly to shooting locations where Hollywood movies are filmed. The tour took for an hour with a description of the English / Spanish guide. It was not believed that I came directly to where lots of Hollywood movies were filmed. After the tour, I enjoyed the attractions of Harry Potter, Jurassic World, and Transformers. After dramatic Universal Studio visit, I headed to Hollywood. Hollywood was packed with a lot of tourists. Hollywood is famous for its street which is called Walk of Fame. At Walk of Fame, I could see hand printings and names of Hollywood stars and singers. I was able to see hand prints of Lee Byung Hun and Ahn Sung Ki as Korean actors. It was so proud that I can see Korean actor’s signatures from land of Hollywood movies.

Second Spot: Las Vegas

Next, I arrived in Las Vegas where is the city of night life and casino. Las Vegas was a city full of beautiful famous hotels, casinos, foods and attractions.

First, I arrived at the welcome to Las Vegas sign in Las Vegas. Although this signboard is one of the symbols of Las Vegas, it was not accessible to tourists originally because it is in the middle of the roads. However, since the parking lot was built a few years ago, it has become easier for tourists to visit and there are more tourists visiting here. I unpacked the hotel and headed to the Las Vegas main street "strip". Strip is the street that were lined with famous Las Vegas hotels. Along the street, I watched Bellagio hotel’s fountain show and volcano show from Mirage hotel. After amazing show, I’m heading to New York New York which is small New York in Las Vegas. In New York New York, I saw imitation of statue of Liberty, M&M’s store and coca cola store.

Third spot : the great mother nature : Grand canyon, Zion canyon, Bryce canyon

I went across Nevada to Arizona and Utah.  First, we headed to Zion Canyon. Zion Canyon was able to see through the vehicle without walking unlike the other two canyons. The appearance of Zion Canyon beyond the bus window was amazing. I photographed a lot of pictures of Zion Canyon showing red light. Zion Canyon is also known as the Garden of the Gods, and I was forced to admit it when I saw Zion Canyon. I said that Zion Canyon is the only Canyon that can be explored by vehicles, because the old Americans built tunnels through Zion Canyon. There are small windows in the tunnel, and the view of Zion Canyon over these windows was amazing. The most famous spot in Zion Canyon is called checker board mesa. Many people try to hike this spot every year.

Next, we headed to Bryce Canyon.

It is said that Bryce Canyon shows a masculine figure and Zion Canyon shows a feminine appearance. Unlike Zion Canyon, where softness and delicacy were felt, Bryce Canyon was magnificent like its reputation. In Bryce Canyon we could go down to the bottom of the Canyon. where the views of the canyon from the top and from the bottom were different, but all showed grandiosity and beauty of nature.

Finally, we headed to the Grand Canyon which was the highlight of our tour.

Before going to Grand Canyon National Park, we decided to take a Grand Canyon flight tour. The view of the Grand Canyon, the Horseshoe Band from aircraft was so beautiful. Personally, I had been to Grand Canyon, but the scenery was so different from what I was seeing in the National Park and feeling the unity with nature on the light plane. I was once again surprised by the wonders of nature. After short flight, we arrived in Grand Canyon national park. Walking along the path to the Grand Canyon National Park over 400km, I was impressed by the greatness of nature.

In this trip, I experienced two totally different sides of United States. Great nature and Great modern culture like movies and casino. Their culture, recognizing and coexisting with each other, was so beautiful and impressive. Maybe I cannot easily forget this amazing travel and this amazing country.

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