//04.29.2018// "Yosemite Falls"
“The roads of travel leave me in a unique state of mind. I keep walking forward, taking in the sights of the unknown around me, my eyes and mind ecstatic with a rush of discovery. But I take a moment and stand still, reflecting on the memories of the past when I was much younger, traversing the same feeling of adventure and discovery with my mom, my father, my sister, my family. As I admire Yosemite Falls, reminiscing the sense of discovery of fond memories with my family, small droplets fall upon my face and the lens of my camera. Instinctively, I go to grab my small cloth and wipe my face and lens, and as I look up, I see a sight that takes me right back to those feelings of discovery and love from so many years ago.”
[TRAVEL]
“The roads of travel leave me in a unique state of mind. I keep walking forward, taking in the sights of the unknown around me, my eyes and mind ecstatic with a rush of discovery. But I take a moment and stand still, reflecting on the memories of the past when I was much younger, traversing the same feeling of adventure and discovery with my mom, my father, my sister, my family. As I admire Yosemite Falls, reminiscing the sense of discovery of fond memories with my family, small droplets fall upon my face and the lens of my camera. Instinctively, I go to grab my small cloth and wipe my face and lens, and as I look up, I see a sight that takes me right back to those feelings of discovery and love from so many years ago.”
It would be wrong for me to tell you that I do not miss the days when I would be able to travel carefree with my family as a toddler and child. I was so fascinated by the seemingly vast white fields of a Nevada morning on a trip to Reno, so exhilarated to visit family in the sunny oasis of Los Angeles and the sheer amazement of flying in an airplane to see long missed family in the Philippines. But as times change and I grow older, my responsibilities come to hinder the option to freely walk out that door and make that next adventure possible without stopping to consider the drawbacks. So every chance I take, I want to relive those seemingly fleeting moments of my youth, even if it is in the solitude of my own volition.
"Families are built upon memories of times spent together. For a life can live through a myriad of experiences, but the ones spent with love and joy are the ones that stand the test of time."
In my exploration of the Yosemite Falls, I was amazed at the sheer size of the massive waterfall, flowing gracefully in front of me as a calm mist filled the air. I decided to set up my camera on a tripod and attempt to capture the sight, and as I went to clean my lens and begin, I came across a family that was also visiting. A father walked assertively with his young son on his shoulders. Amazement filled the young one's eyes as he looked at the massive Yosemite Falls, and his father made his way forward through the masses of visitors lined up to capture their take on the beautiful falls. Soon, the mother and daughter joined up with them and together they made their way towards a large tree that was re-purposed as the "photo spot" in other common tourist spots. However, watching this sight, seeing the joy in the parent's faces as their kids were looking out to the waterfall, witnessing the sense of amazement in the children's eyes; it was a sight that made me reminisce about the times when I was in the young ones shoes, sitting on my dad's shoulders traveling with my mother and sister so many years ago.
To Mariel, it was a blessing to have met you and your wonderful family. While I offered to be the person to take your photo with your phone as anyone would to travelers abroad, I am thankful for that small trip down memory lane. I am thankful for the opportunity to capture an image of you and your family as you all create memories together, and I am grateful to offer my skills to a chance encounter that warmed my heart. Much love to you guys, and special thanks for showing your young ones the beauty of the world around them.
"Thank you for a flashback of times from a youthful me, and for reminding me of what I would want to be like in future."
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