Don't Take National Parks for Granite

This year marks the 100th-anniversary of the National Park Service and in honour of that, I thought I'd talk a little bit about my experiences with various National Parks around the country. I only recently became enamoured with National Parks and nature in general, preferring the sights, sounds, and smells of a hustling bustling city. In fact, on my first trip to the Grand Canyon, I was impressed for five minutes and then I fell asleep in the car.

 However, when I received my first smartphone two years ago, I found myself seeing nature through a different lens, the one of my phone camera. All of a sudden, evening drives to the Lake of the Woods weren't so bad, nor were my pictures. So when we planned our trip to Yellowstone National Park, my parents were surprised that I was excited for a 21-hour drive without wifi. Yes, the drive was boring, but when we got there, the sights, sounds, and smells were breathtaking. Not only did I enjoy taking pictures, I genuinely enjoyed learning about the history and science of the park that stood above a 640,000 year-old still-active volcano. Apart from the intriguing geographical features of Yellowstone, the diversity of wildlife was amazing as well. Towards the end of our stay there, a herd of bison became more of a nuisance than a sight to behold, although the two wolves we saw at 3 in the morning were a pleasant if not disturbing surprise.

The only way to describe Bryce Canyon in Utah is bizarrely beautiful. Sharp rock spires that shoot up more than 100 feet into the air are all clustered together, looking like an awkward family photo. It is definitely worth the walk to the top of the canyon if you ever decide to go, by the way.

Yosemite for my family was more interesting in the dead of night than in the light of day. This is because as pretty as the mountains were, there aren't words to describe the sublime sight of the Milky Way 7,214 feet above sea level, away from the light pollution. Although my smartphone camera was not advanced enough to capture that sight, it has been permanently etched into my mind. My dream is to go back to the spot where I first saw those celestial bodies with a camera that will be able to capture the vastness of the heavens.

These are just a couple of National Parks that I went to, but each one was unique. Every park had something to learn, something that takes your breath away. I consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy these natural wonders, and I hope that everyone has the opportunity to visit a one in their lifetime. Of course, great pictures are a bonus!

The spires of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

Half Dome of Yosemite National Park in California

Travel Tips

I am extremely grateful for the ability to travel. I feel lucky that my parents love exploring different places all around the globe. They always told me that there is a lot to learn outside of the classroom as well. Indeed, I have experienced different cultures, tasted different types of cuisine, and learned a lot about the history of many countries. However, it seems that every seasoned traveller in addition to learning a lot about Earth also picks up tips and tricks about travelling itself. So I thought I'd give it a go and share some of my (most likely cliché) travelling tips:

1. Smile!

Believe it or not, not all people in the world are rude. In fact, they enjoy it when you greet them and ask them how their day has been. They will be even more impressed when you greet them in their native tongue. I can't keep track of how many free espressos I got roaming Italy just because I walked into the café and said "Buongiorno!" Making personal connections with natives is always fun and they can even become great guides and friends during your trip

2. Wake Up

There is nothing I dislike more than waking up during a trip and seeing that the sun is high in the sky. The earlier you wake up, the more you can do during the day. It's even more enjoyable if your hotel or hostel room has a view. In fact over the weekend, my father and I went to Chicago and stayed in a room with a lovely view of Lake Michigan the Chicago skyline. I woke up at 4 to take pictures from our window of the view, seeing how dramatically the rising sun changed the landscape.

3. Pack Light, but Not Too Light

Heavy suitcases can be cumbersome to carry around and are sure to put a damper on your mood. On the other hand, suitcases that are too small won't have enough space to carry souvenirs and other goodies around. I suggest one check-in suitcase and a backpack as your carry-on. Also, always have a spare change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on luggage; luggage gets lost easily. Just do it. You'll thank me later.

4. Take Pictures

With smartphones that take jaw-dropping pictures, it has become really simple to preserve memories that you will cherish forever. My dad loves going over photo albums on a Sunday morning. He always cracks a wide smile when he sees a photo that reminds him of a pleasant or funny memory, like the "Limoncello Incident." I'll leave it at that.

5. Keep An Open Mind
You never know what's going to happen. One minute you might be having coffee with a friend and the next thing you know, you're driving a speed boat down a river through the mountains of South Korea. Sometimes, getting lost is the best way to find something new.

The view from our hotel room in Chicago. Sorry for the poor picture quality.