Keva Li
Writer '18
“It’s not the destination–it’s the journey” that counts. To me, this saying follows me as I grew up. Ever since I was little, my parents have taken me to a different country each year. In 2003, three year old me travelled to China for the first time. I stumbled through the pre-modernized hometown of my mother and climbed the thousands of steps of the Great Wall. After the treacherous walk in the blazing sun, I stood on the top and spread my arms like I was the king of the world. The next year, in 2004, I sailed around in a cruise ship to Florida’s Disney World, and Europe. Each stop, I ran out of the ship and marveled at the new world separate from the little town of Great Neck that I spent most of my time in.
The following year, in 2005, I boarded another cruise. Climbing to the top of the boat, I gazed forward as the boat slowed to the port of Jamaica and the Bahamas. Here, I ran through the streets and soaked in the unique culture. In the Bahamas, I rode the currents around a huge lazy river. Visiting the country of Samurai warriors in 2006, I explored the archipelago and participated in Japanese culture. In 2007, I travelled to China again, but this time I visited the modernized hometown of my father in Hong Kong. My father's hometown was vastly different from the run down, poorly built houses seen in my mother’s village. Old enough to understand the meaning of tradition, I thoughtfully sauntered through the temples and ancient memorials.
The next few years, I visited France, Germany, and again China. Thirteen years old, I explored the world hundreds of feet below ground level and was captivated by the Ruby falls. The same year, I visited Old Faithful and visited South Dakota’s Crazy Horse memorial. When I was 14 years old, I toured through London, Switzerland, Rome, Venice, and Florence. I tried the England’s Fish and Chips, watched the gladiators facing off in Flavian Amphitheatre, rode a gondola through the city soon to be sunk by water, and awed by Michelangelo’s David. Each city sponsored a different society that enticed and made me never want to leave.
The summer of my sophomore year, I visited my father’s hometown again. This time, I realized that Hong Kong was different then when I last visited. Many old shops that I frequently visited were toppled over to build industrialized buildings. The terrain became alien to me. I also hiked up Lantau peak in the humid climate. By the time I reached the top, I was drenched with sweat. After staying for two weeks, I hopped on a plane to Korea. The culture was distinctly different from Hong Kong. Participating in the strategic planning of South Koreans war with the North Koreans, I stood in Mount Odu Observatory and had the chance to watch the soldier formations.
The past summer, I visited the Hawaiian archipelago is 2,000 miles southwest of the continental United States. Visiting the islands of Honolulu and Hilo, I stopped by Pearl Harbor to pay my respects. In addition, in Hawaii I had many first experiences, such as surfing, and zip lining.
My dream is to travel all around the world and learn about the cultures of each community.
Writer '18
“It’s not the destination–it’s the journey” that counts. To me, this saying follows me as I grew up. Ever since I was little, my parents have taken me to a different country each year. In 2003, three year old me travelled to China for the first time. I stumbled through the pre-modernized hometown of my mother and climbed the thousands of steps of the Great Wall. After the treacherous walk in the blazing sun, I stood on the top and spread my arms like I was the king of the world. The next year, in 2004, I sailed around in a cruise ship to Florida’s Disney World, and Europe. Each stop, I ran out of the ship and marveled at the new world separate from the little town of Great Neck that I spent most of my time in.
The following year, in 2005, I boarded another cruise. Climbing to the top of the boat, I gazed forward as the boat slowed to the port of Jamaica and the Bahamas. Here, I ran through the streets and soaked in the unique culture. In the Bahamas, I rode the currents around a huge lazy river. Visiting the country of Samurai warriors in 2006, I explored the archipelago and participated in Japanese culture. In 2007, I travelled to China again, but this time I visited the modernized hometown of my father in Hong Kong. My father's hometown was vastly different from the run down, poorly built houses seen in my mother’s village. Old enough to understand the meaning of tradition, I thoughtfully sauntered through the temples and ancient memorials.
The next few years, I visited France, Germany, and again China. Thirteen years old, I explored the world hundreds of feet below ground level and was captivated by the Ruby falls. The same year, I visited Old Faithful and visited South Dakota’s Crazy Horse memorial. When I was 14 years old, I toured through London, Switzerland, Rome, Venice, and Florence. I tried the England’s Fish and Chips, watched the gladiators facing off in Flavian Amphitheatre, rode a gondola through the city soon to be sunk by water, and awed by Michelangelo’s David. Each city sponsored a different society that enticed and made me never want to leave.
The summer of my sophomore year, I visited my father’s hometown again. This time, I realized that Hong Kong was different then when I last visited. Many old shops that I frequently visited were toppled over to build industrialized buildings. The terrain became alien to me. I also hiked up Lantau peak in the humid climate. By the time I reached the top, I was drenched with sweat. After staying for two weeks, I hopped on a plane to Korea. The culture was distinctly different from Hong Kong. Participating in the strategic planning of South Koreans war with the North Koreans, I stood in Mount Odu Observatory and had the chance to watch the soldier formations.
The past summer, I visited the Hawaiian archipelago is 2,000 miles southwest of the continental United States. Visiting the islands of Honolulu and Hilo, I stopped by Pearl Harbor to pay my respects. In addition, in Hawaii I had many first experiences, such as surfing, and zip lining.
My dream is to travel all around the world and learn about the cultures of each community.