Dear Travel Journal
Ariana in Rhode Island & Virginia
- Ariana Fiorello-Omotosho
- 26 July 2002 - 2 August 2002
- Rhode Island and Virginia
- 12-13 years old
- 13 January 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
For one of my track meets, I may go to Connecticut.
In the summer of 2006, before my trip to Europe, but after my trip to Florida. I’ll tell you about my trip to Florida later. Before and after those trips, I went to Vermont. In Vermont, I went swimming, camping, and rock climbing. When I peeled off my shoes, the sand ate my toes. As I started creeping toward the water, my feet stayed above ground. I dipped my toes into the murky water. Instantly, I scooped my foot out. The water was colder than ice. While camping, I had to chop wood for a fire and cook. In 2005 [when I went] I cooked [also]. When I was cooking, tomato juice oozed out and down my arm. I also had to feed the animals and collect the chicken eggs. Rock Climbing was also fun. I’ve done it twice here. I’ve also gone white-water rafting. While rock climbing, I got tons of cuts and bruises, but that never stopped me. Sweat would dribble down my face as I climbed higher and higher. When I was white-water rafting, water whipped at me. I laughed when the boat would bump a rock or almost tip over.
This year, at Disney World, I almost got to see Hannah Montana perform, but we couldn’t. She performed at Typhoon Lagoon, where we had already been. Sadly, it rained most of time we were there. The Arabian Knights show was boring. Everything else was fun. Like Mt. Everest and Mars.
Every summer, we go to New Hampshire. That’s because we have a beach house there, and Canobie Lake Park and Hampton Beach is there. Well anyway, this summer I ran in a 3-mile race because I was too old for the other one. I came in 15th place overall. The best part was getting a trophy. That’s right, I got a trophy. I only got one because I was the first girl [to cross the finish line in the] 14 and under [category]. Emily would’ve gotten my trophy because she’s 14, but she was the first girl overall [to cross the finish line]. I am very proud.
Track star,
ARF
- 25 February 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
This summer, I’m going to Virginia and Maryland. I can’t wait. We’re planning to meet Cay and Kelsey there. In Virginia we’re going to Busch Gardens. In Maryland, we’re going to Washington, D.C. I am so excited. After I go to those two places, I will have gone/visited 20 places. If we drive there, then maybe more than 20. Talk to you later. Bye.
20 places,
ARF
P.S.
I asked my mom if we were driving and we’re not. 20 places is good for me. Next February vacation, I might go to England. For another vacation, we might visit my pen pal in Italy. We aren’t allowed to visit my pen pal in Africa (Kenya) because it’s not safe. When I travel, I think I might bring Chow Chow, my chihuahua Webkinz,
- 16 May 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Monday, May 14th, 2007, I went camping with my school. We camped at the W. Alton Jones campus in Rhode Island. I had a blast.
It was a 2-hour long ride from school to the campus. When we did finally get there, we unpacked our stuff and then had lunch. For every meal I had there, I ate a lot. Anyways, after lunch we got to play outside. I hung out with friends and raced. As soon as the bell was rung, we were divided into our groups.
My group started out on a hike. We did get-to-know-you games and mind-skills. Then we went into the forest to find items that didn’t belong. I think there were 30 items. Then we walked to a wider, open field. Along the way, I found a frog and a toad. When we got there, a kid found a snake (garden snake). We went on a scavenger hunt and then went back.
With another group, we played “Oh Deer.” [To play] we had a group of deer and then resources. If the deer found a resource they wanted, then the deer goes back with the new deer [resource]. When wolf season came, there were less deer. The game was fun, and I think you get the rest, same with flood season.
We then went back to our cabins and played, read, napped, or wrote (obviously talking, too). It was then lunch, I mean dinner time, and then outside playing. When we were called back, we gathered around a campfire. The counselors told funny stories and had everyone do something.
We went back into our groups and went on a night hike. I saw Venus and 2 other planets. I also saw the big dipper. On the night hike, at one point, we all gathered around a candle and the counselor told us a story on why pirates wore eye patches. It was a cool story.
Then it was bedtime. It was crazy ‘cause everyone wanted to take a shower and then we stayed up late talking.
Goodnight,
ARF
P.S.
The buses were awesome. I’ll tell you more tomorrow. Amber pushed me and I slipped on the moss and fell into the mud. LOL!
- 17 May 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
On the second day of the camping trip, we packed and went out for breakfast. Then we played outside, got into groups, and began the day. Matthew, my counselor, partnered us up and then blind folded one of us. The other person had to direct the person blind folded. Everyone had a turn.
Before all that happened, we had to try to lower a hula-hoop. It was really hard.
After the blind fold thing, we had to go through a swinging jump rope. It was hard for some. But eventually we got it. Then it got harder, but we aced that too.
We took a 10-mile hike to a giant see-saw. It was fun, but the activities we had to do were hard. Then we had to get everyone onto a plank, like trying to flip the sheet with everyone on it on day one. We did it and went back for lunch. Then we played outside, said our goodbyes, and [drove] 2 hours home.
Tiredly yours,
Ariana
(your little angel)
P.S.
In the summer of 2008, my mom and I might go to Italy to visit my new pen pal. We also might go to Ireland with Adrienne. My mom and I are still going to Virginia to meet Cay and Kelsey. I’m also going on a cruise with Stasia to the Bahamas. I’m also going to England next February vacation. I also might go to Nevada.
- 27 June 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
I did the Junior Olympics and qualified for regionals. I placed 6th in the 100-meter and 5th in the long jump. I also did a Hershey meet. I qualified for both the 100- and 200-meter dash. Sadly, my races are on the same day, this Saturday. :’( I’m doing the Hershey meet. If I qualify, I get to go to finals. The trip is free and in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is August 2nd-5th. We get one whole day in the park free. In a week from tomorrow (Thursday), me, Christine, and Patricia are going to the High School Musical play. Two days after the play (Saturday), we leave for Virginia. This week I am involved in a volleyball program. I am joining the Writer’s Express again. My mom is trying to get us back to Europe some time in August. This summer is really exciting. On top of all that, I am waiting to see if I was one of the finalists in a poetry contest. I made it to the last round. It’s awaiting the judges’ [decision]. I hope I win the poetry contest and the Hershey race. If I did that would be so exciting!!
Can’t wait!
ARF
P.S.
Talk to you Saturday, or hopefully sooner. BiBi <3
- 1 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you yesterday. I way really busy. After making it to the second round at the Hershey meet, I think my journey ends there. I came in 4th for both my races. I tried, but for the 200, one girl fell, so I slowed down so my time was slower.
4th placer,
ARF
P.S.
Next Saturday is the big day!
- 7 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
We arrived at the airport at about 9 o’clock. The plane doesn’t leave ‘til 11 A.M. It took 30 minutes just to get through everything. Then from 9:30 A.M. – 10 A.M., I worked on my math packet. Now I’m talking to you, hoping it will [pass] some time, no offense or anything. I can’t wait. I’m just so excited. Oh, before I forget, I’m not going on a cruise with Stasia. Our schedules were too busy. My mom is looking for cheap airfare to Europe. I should take you to New Hampshire sometime. Well, I [got to go], if you ever want to hear all about Virginia. You are running out of pages. Ok. BiBi <3
Excitedly waiting,
ARF
P.S.
When we reached the condo everything was amazing!
- 8 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Today we played in the pool and hot tub. Then, at around 4pm, we went to Busch Gardens. It was amazing. It was based on [theme] Europe, [specifically]: France, Scotland, Germany, England, Italy, and more. Later on, I’ll explain the rides.
Sincerely,
ARF
- 9 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Today we went to Water Country. Before that we went swimming. Every time we went swimming, we went in the hot tub and indoor swimming pool. All the rides I went on will be explained later.
Yours Truly,
ARF
- 10 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Tomorrow we’re going to go see Harry Potter 5 [Order of the Phoenix]. Anyways, today we went back to Busch Gardens. Once again, we went swimming early in the morning.
From,
ARF
- 11 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
We went to see Harry Potter 5. It was thrilling. We also went to Borders Books. I got a veterinary book. It’s really interesting. We went back to the rooms and changed to go swimming. I am in love with the hot tub. A lot of the nights this week, we played on the computers.
From,
ARF
- 11 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Later tonight, we went on a ghost walk. It was scary, but I learned a lot. Details may be included later.
- 12 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
Today we went to Jamestown [Virginia]. It was boring. The one [Native American reservation] in Plymouth, MA, was better. The movie we watched was interesting, though. I also enjoyed the ships and the English settlements. When we came back, we decided to go to Busch Gardens. We ate dinner at this restaurant, and we ate breakfast at IHOP.
Love,
Big-A
- 13 July 2007
Dear Travel Journal,
It’s the end. We left to go home. I had fun. The ride home didn’t seem long. (I fell asleep). I’ll hopefully write to you soon.
Signing,
Ariana
