Operating under California Education Code 48907, Via Verde, a student travel magazine published by students at Palo Alto High School, is a designated limited open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership.
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
The staff welcomes letter to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to viaverdemagazine1@gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
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PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION
Via Verde is printed by aPrintis in Pleasanton, California. The Via Verde staff will distribute copies at no cost around the Palo Alto High School campus. All previous Via Verde work is available at issuu. com/viaverdemag.
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Photo by Riya Kini
VIA VERDE
Palo Alto High School’s Travel Magazine
MISSION STATEMENT
Via Verde aims to be a travel magazine that uses the power of the student press and desktop publishing to pursue the values of the Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto High School and scholastic journalism. More specifically, the mission of the Via Verde is to provide:
The Paly community with information on travel issues from student perspectives; a forum for students to submit and publish their experiences related to travel; and an independent journalistic magazine that models integrity and creativity seeking to educate its readers on local and international cultures;
The larger scholastic journalism community with a role model publication that embodies the best of scholastic journalism and for future student-created magazines; and,
The magazine’s student staff with journalistic and leadership opportunities that increase their ability and desire to participate meaningfully in our society and global community; and skills to become leaders within future endeavors.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome aboard to Via Verde! We are delighted to have you travel around the world through a Paly student lens.
Via Verde, Paly’s unique student travel magazine is back for its fourth issue in Volume 4. Via Verde serves as a space where students are encouraged to broaden their perspectives on local and international travels with the discovery of new cultures.
This issue, we delve into staff writer Lara Dumanli’s horrible experience at the infamous Heathrow airport to staff writer Evelyn Zhangs beautiful hike up Machu Pichu.
Meanwhile staff writer, Shreyas Shashi reflects on his passion for traditional indian cooking and how his grandmother had a hand in sparking this intrest.
Via Verde can’t wait to share this new journey with you, traversing the globe, together.
Bon Voyage!
Anika Nair
MAY 2024 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Anika Nair
MANAGING EDITOR
Chiara Martin STAFF WRITERS
Lara Dumanli
Cailey Quita
Shreyas Shashi
William Xue
Sarina Grewal
Kat Farrell
Salem Coyle
Evelyn Zhang Hadrien de Martel
GUEST WRITERS
Julia Curtis
ADVISER
Paul Kandell
CONNECT
@viaverde.mag issuu.com/viaverdemag ON THE COVER
An adolscent elephant in the Samburu region of Kenya lives in the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. The sancuatry takes in young elephants whose parents abonded them or were killed.
Photo by Kofi Kim
VIA Verde
BEST TRAVEL PLAYLIST
Compiled by ANIKA NAIR
What would you do differently while traveling?
“I try and learn the language of the place I’m going to before to kind of assimilate myself with the culture and also I watch some educational videos about where I’m going, and plan thoroughly.”
“We got pulled over by the police in Turkey (...) I didn’t have my ID on me at the time and it’s a very important thing so always pay attention to what’s the norm in other countries, especially in places you haven’t traveled before.”
Compiled by Hadrien de Martel
“So one thing I’ve noticed is planning your journeys in advance is always a good idea. Sometimes my family for example reserves restaurants if we want to experience a famous restaurant many months in advance and I think this type of planning really smoothens your traveling journey.”
– Koji SilverbergShirota, 9th grader
– Deniz Aba, 10th grader
– Lucas Yuan, 11th grader
Horror at Heathrow
“We can’t you on” My heart plummets.
It’s the summer of 2021 and as the world slowly wakes up from a horror movie, we are greeted with a flurry of travelers desperate to soak up the last ounce of their airline credits and to run away from the dystopian pandemic.
sively at my dad and I, those suggestions were meaningless.
The problem was that we needed the correct COVID-19 test. Traveling from Toronto with a layover in London to our final destination allowed for logistical things such as the type of COVID test to slip our minds. The Turkish government at that point accepted Rapid ID tests, which only took a couple of hours,
a persistent feeling of reluctancey the whole trip. I had gone on a double-decker bus and bought my now-beloved Bon Jovi shirt, but the entire spirit of visiting a new country for the first time fell flat.
It was true British people truly do have the worst food.
tion (PCR) tests which took a couple of days. This harmless, or so we thought, difference was miniscule, and despite our best efforts to explain that since we are Turkish citizens, we can use the former test, it was futile.
Thirty minutes later, with the plane doors closed and us on the wrong side of them, Dad furious, and me sitting on the uncomfortable and stiff airport seat crying to my mom on the phone, we had reached a consensus: We were not getting on that flight.
Instead, all I could do was get a soggy sandwich from Pret à Manger and have a shocking epiphany outside of our terminal. It was true British people truly do have the worst food.
Trying to make the best of a dreary situation, my dad and I continue exploring Buckingham Palace (bigger in real life) and wandering through neighborhoods around London, soaking up all the UK influence I can (more posh in
We first visited the classic British monuments: London Bridge, Big Ben, and Picadilly Circus, however, and maybe it was the blatant disrespect with beans as breakfast, but I couldn’t shake
On one trip through an exploration of London’s most boring and dreadful boroughs, my dad and I found ourselves inside a small pharmacy in the Financial District. At this point, we were defeated. I had worn the same yoga pants three days in a row, my feet were tired, and everybody was driving on the wrong side of the world. In short, I was not having fun. But we were determined to have an extra set of COVID-19 because after all, we were still in the pandemic.
“Sorry, we can’t give you this because you aren’t from London”
Oh.Youhavegottobekiddingme. I could deal with the beans. I could deal with the depressing weather. I could even deal with everybody who asked us if we were American−this drove my Turkish-Canadian Immigrant father crazy− but that might have been my last straw. As we defeatedly walked out of the pharmacy, the pharmacist yelled back at us.
“Actually, on second thought, I’ll give it to you guys”
ItakebackeverythingIsaidbefore!
When we finally boarded the flight to Antalya, Turkey that following Friday,hilariously with the same gate agents as before, I was glad to leave. So happy to go home and feel safe in my relative’s embrace, but I know my spontaneous trip to the home of the wannabe One Directioners will always be remembered in my heart, for better and for worse. Mostly worse though. v
Text and photo by LARA DUAMNLI
LONDON
(LEFT): I wasn’t the biggest fan of taking pictures this trip, but for the London Bridge, I allowed it. It’s not visible in this photo but I was wearing a Maui, Hawaii shirt when visiting all the landmarks. I found it funny.
BUCKINGHAM MARVEL (ABOVE) : I had always wondered if Buckingham Palace was as huge as it looked on television—it was. Despite the quiet pandemic streets,Buckingham Palace was still bustling. Photo credit: Lara Dumanli
BRIDGE
VIA Verde
Summer Screams
SAY CHEESE!: Here, I’m posing with Franklin in his work uniform at the enterance of the park. Themed after the Peanuts comic strips, Great America ensures that guests have the many opportunities to get photos with the characters and experience the themed events.
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BAY AREA’S LOCAL GO-TO THRILL SPOT
Text and photos by:
CAILEY QUITA
The rushing anxiety feeling I get before I get on a roller coaster is what I look forward to,” sophomore Ella Segev said. “The anticipation of the drops, the wind in my hair, all combined with excitement and nerves is the best feeling you can get there.”
After finishing a grueling school year, all Palo Alto High School students require stress-free summer days full of fun. Taking a break from all the tests, homework, and early mornings and replacing them with roller coasters and laughter, is exactly what students are looking forward to. Lucky for us, we don’t have to drive far because you’ll find it in the heart of the Bay Area: Santa Clara.
Since 1976, Great America has been home to activities for guests of all ages,
NOTHIN’ BUT 90° (ABOVE): Added to the park in 2018, Railblazer’s drop makes riders feel as though they’re are free falling, and is definitely a crowd favorite. It’s 90 degrees, and the coaster also includes many twists and turns to ensure a fun ride.
A WARM WELCOME (LEFT): Upon passing through the gates of the park, visitors are welcomed with it’s iconic red, white, and blue sign. Behind stands Great America’s three-tiered Carousel Columbia and the grand fountain.
including thrills, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment shows.
However, the beloved park won’t be here forever. Cedar Fair, the company that owns California’s Great America, announced its closure set for 2033. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that the place where we all once spent our summer days will be gone in less than a decade, even though the current students at Palo Alto High School will be long gone before that happens.
“I know me and a large majority of the Paly students won’t be around here in the next 10 years,” Segev said. “So until then, I’m just visiting there with my family and friends as much as I can during breaks and especially during summer vacation.”
Until then, guests can still create lifelong memories at the park.
“My favorite ride there is Railblazer, whwich is noticeable because it’s the only orange coaster in the park. There’s a huge drop, and the rest of the ride is fast and thrilling,” Segev said.
Great America also houses a section dedicated to children, titled Planet Snoopy. These junior-sized rides are perfect when visiting with smaller riders.
Additionally, Great America even has a water park. South Water Shores has a number of water slides, wave pool, play structure, and so much more to keep guests cool in the heat. The summer season also includes a Fourth of July fireworks spectacular and a Mardi Gras-like experience Carnival.
Every year growing up, my family would drive to the Great America parking lot and sit in the trunk of our car watching the Fourth of July fireworks. My favorite memory was when my cousins and I would bundled up in blankets eating Bomb Pops while watching the fireworks above us, with nothing but happiness and awe.
For the remainder of the year, Great America keeps guests entertained by hosting the Peanuts Celebration in the spring, Tricks and Treats, formally Halloween Haunt in the fall, and WinterFest in the winter. Each event has its themed foods, decorations, and festivities.
“Whether it’s your family or if you’re taking a couple of your friends, it’s just a good way to spend one of the many days that we have in the summer,” Segev said. v
Text by Shreyas Shashi
Photo by Sidd Shashi
Passing down the legacy
How cooking with my grandmother influenced my passion for food
The root of all life. The power to the body. Food is a necessity for the human race and its existence. But when looking past its fundamental importance, food brings much more than survival to our lives and deserves to be appreciated as the powerful cultural bridge that it is.
Throughout my lifetime, I have visited India more than a handful of times. And since I was young, the best part of the trips wasn’t ever exploring the vibrant streets cramped with people, playing games with cousins, or sightseeing beautiful places filled with ancient history. It was always eating the food my grandmother would make.
Upon arrival, no matter if it was 10 at night or 3 in the morning, there would always be a feast on the table. I
don’t even know the names of the food, but I do know that my brother and I quickly made sure their existence came to an end.
After the mentally and physically grueling flight, I have never experienced a satisfaction comparable to these welcoming binge eats.
Sure, we have excellent Indian restaurants within the Bay Area with Michelin chefs running the massive fancy kitchens, serving great food fit. But I would put my grandmother’s cooking in the modest small kitchen, with a manually lit stove with 4 burners, against the Gordon Ramsays of the world any day of the week.
As I grew older and started my own cooking journey, I told myself that the next time I was in India, I would make sure to observe and learn from my grandmother in the kitchen.
In my most recent visit, I spent most of my time in the kitchen alongside her.
Though English isn’t her first language, and my understanding of Telu-
gu is nowhere near proficient, we both persisted through any language barrier as she patiently took me under her wing and taught me different recipes to take back home.
She first showed me how to make chicken biryani, as she saw how quickly I had consumed what she had already prepared. Bit by bit, I discovered the techniques that make her cooking stand out.
Seeing how she could sense when the onions were perfectly done frying or when the rice was cooked to the exact correct texture. And how hundreds of spices in organized chaos would be located.
I have taken cooking classes before, learning how to cook from a mise en place and a recipe right in front of me, but this was different.
This was more of an artform than an experiment. I saw everything come together just based on her own muscle memory.
When she told me it was my turn, I knew that there was no one better to learn from.
We then went on to rotis, a bread found in most Indian households. She would take a cast iron pan, one that had been in the family for more than my lifetime, and get it ripping hot.
She would then take a simple dough of flour water and salt created with no measuring equipment in sight, and flatten an individual piece.
With just her hands, she would place onto the pan, then directly on
HANDS ON LEARNING: My grandmother instructs me on how to prepare ingredients for dinner
the flame, making it look as if the heat sensing nerves in her hand didn’t exist. I would then try this, feeling the heat directly onto the tips of my fingers and shooting up through my body.
This sensation is something that no youtube tutorial or cooking show could test. I was literally being thrown into the fire and forced to learn by failure. Working with my grandmother, and seeing her execute in her kitchen stuck with me to this day.
I continued to work on my own craft and that experience motivated me to do more and more as a cook.
I hope to one day resemble her cooking through my very own. v
PRICELESS MEMORIES: My grandmother and myself as a kid in the kitchen where I learned many recipes
FAMILY STAPLE: Hyderabadi style biryani we made together during my last visit
AVOIDING PICKPOCKETS
Keep yourself safe from theft this summer while traveling
Text by WILLIAM XUE
Art by DOREEN HOU
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IN THE BUSTLING crowds that fill streets of tourist destinations, pickpockets sneak among them and prey on unsuspecting individuals. Whether it is exploring a new place or squeezing through a congested area, the threat of pickpockets is always present.
Summertime is the peak season for travel around the world, allowing thieves the perfect opportunity to strike. Pickpockets often go for wallets, phones, or anything easily accessible for them to grab.
With many Palo Alto High School students planning on traveling this
How were you pickpocketed?
upcoming summer, keeping an eye out for pickpockets is important. Chinese teacher Shuting Kong and chemistry teacher Alicia Szebert share their previous encounters with pickpockets and tips on how you can protect yourself and your belongings from thieves. v
“My new cell phone was stolen in a small fashion store in China. I put my brand new phone into my pocket, then I started my shopping. I ignored it for just two minutes. Then, I tried to check my phone and realized it was gone.”
—Chinese teacher Shuting Kong
advice: how to keep your valuables safe?
“If you’re traveling somewhere with heavy tourism, you’re always always assuming that someone’s trying to rob you. Sounds terrible, but pretty much you always have to assume that people are targeting you and you have to be extra cautious of anything super strapped to your body.”
—Chemistry teacher Alicia Szebert
How would you avoid future pickpockets?
“Never have valuables in an easily opened pocket…Keep everything locked in a hotel room or a hostel, but somewhere where they [pickpockets] can’t access…Basically, just don’t have too much wealth on you at any given point. Always, always keep your eye out because if you’re a tourist, you’re a target and people will be looking for you.”
—Chemistry teacher Alicia Szebert
According to Pacsafe, an anti-theft travel equipment company, keeping items in a pickpocket-proof bag or not keeping valuables with you helps with minimizing theft. With one of the most commonly targeted items being wallets and electronics, use a bag with a lock to keep it hidden and secure. In addition, keeping your valuables close to your body, such as carrying a backpack in front of you or a phone tied to you, can help minimize theft.
2. Beware of Distractions
Pacsafe also says to stay informed of common pickpocket scams. Oftentimes pickpockets will work in teams, diverting your attention using distractions. Anytime another individual unexpectedly engages with you, be wary of your surroundings and valuables. While you are distracted, it gives the perfect opportunity for thieves to pickpocket.
3.
Stay vigilant
Pacsafe suggests you stay extra aware in certain areas. Pickpockets will often lurk in crowded places, where everyone is distracted. In areas such as public transportation, tourist attractions, or stores, make sure your belongings are always by your side. v
Sickening Surprise
LESSONS LEARNED ON AN EUROPEAN ADVENTURE
FROLICKING IN FRANCE Exploring the Alsace region of eastern France, the group explores the famous medieval castle, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg. "They kind of just dropped us off and let us explore by ourselves, so we got to curate what we wanted to do," Shah said. "I mainly wanted to walk around outdoors, not go to museums."
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Photo by ARIA SHAH
NOT ALL VACATIONS GO ACCORDING TO PLAN, as junior Aria Shah found out while on vacation in Europe last summer. She was participating in a summer program called American Music Abroad, where she traveled to a variety of European countries to practice and perform music, a passion that she has pursued for a majority of her life.
“I feel like in Europe they have much more of an appreciation for music, especially music coming from America because it’s a little more foreign to them,” Shah said. “Especially the older people had such an appreciation for us performing in random places and them being able to watch it.”
After a memorable trip, admiring historical sites, eating delicious foods, and listening to many genres of music, Shah was looking forward to the last day of the trip where the group could explore the final destination and say their goodbyes.
“Everyone was looking forward to this day where we could do whatever we want and not be sent home,” Shah said.
However, everything started to go wrong after lunch at a panini place. The group was exploring the town Bruges, Belgium, their last stop on the European adventure.
“It was my idea,” Shah said. “I really wanted a panini, and I was not leaving that place without one.”
A few minutes later, they walked into a chocolate shop, where Shah was instantly nauseated. Laying down, she knew something
Text by CHIARA MARTIN
wasn’t right. The clouds darkened and it began to rain when Shah got a call.
“Someone else with our group, who is also allergic to nuts like I am, was also feeling sick,” Shah said. “So I freaked out thinking I had nuts by accident.”
Shah, along with her friends, had to sprint to the town center to meet up with the rest of the group. Luckily she had an O2 sat monitor with her to monitor her oxygen levels and determine if she was having a nut reaction. After determining they were fine, she didn’t know what was happening.
As the rest of the group went on a walking tour, Shah begged the directors to let her go back to the hotel and rest, where she took a much needed break. Later that night was the farewell banquet, which was one of the events she had been really looking forward to.
“I stepped inside and got an enormous whiff of fried food and everything unhealthy you could think of, and I instantly felt nauseous,” Shah said. “I knew I had gotten food poisoning.”
Unable to eat anything, the banquet was not the experience she had dreamed of. However, flying home the next day, Shah realized she had gained valuable life experience. Without the aid of her parents, she had learned how to care for herself in a challenging situation and had to rely on her own instincts.
“Even though I felt like I was going to pass out I still had to be alert and awake,” Shah said. “I paid attention to my body and exactly what I was feeling.” v
"It was really fun because we spent a day in each place, and it was mainly small towns," Shah said.
BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS On the first night of the program, the group enjoyed a dinner in the quaint village of Engelberg, Switzerland. Shah poses with some of her new friends for a selfie in front of the picturesque alps.
VIA Verde
College Visit
Craziness
College visits pose many excitements and challenges for high school students
As spring breaks out on college campuses across the nation, millions of high school students swarm onto campus to visit their prospective future colleges. Many of them have traveled far from their homes — some sacrificing precious class time, not to mention travel expenses — to make the journey.
One such student is Sammi Wu, a junior at Palo Alto High School who has gone on several college visits in the last year.
“The effort involved in a college visit definitely varies from college to college,”
Wu said.
“For local colleges, it’s a lot easier to make the visit, but if I went to the East Coast, it would take a lot more effort and be more expensive.”
while, especially as it can help them to picture what their future might look like.
“I really enjoyed Oxford,” Alice Sheffer, a sophomore who visited the University of Oxford over her spring break, said. “It’s a really cool place, and I can definitely see myself there in the future, so it was definitely worth my time to visit.”
But college visits provide many benefits for students, even beyond the insight they gain from visiting their future campuses. In particular, many students enjoy the experience of being around a college campus.
“It’s really important that you’re not traveling internationally or across the country just for college.”
— ALICE SHEFFER, sophomore
Wu, along with many similar sophomores and juniors, put a lot of preparation into successfully executing her college visits.
Wu’s college visits were mostly focused towards her sister, who is a senior. “My parents did a lot of planning so we could visit colleges that she’d expressed interest in,” Wu said.
Ultimately, many students find the effort worth-
school students do not have to waste.
“We tried to pack two colleges into one day at one point, but it ended up making both experiences worse,” Wu said. “You really want to get as close to the ‘college experience’ as you can, and that includes seeing everything around the campus, so you want to make time for that.”
“Visiting a college can make or break whether you want to apply there.”
— SAMMI WU, junior
“There’s a lot of historical and literary significance in the area around Oxford, and it was really satisfying to see it all,” Sheffer said.
These experiences lead many students to look to their college visits with high expectations.
“I’ve already seen some colleges, but I’m really excited to see more that I’ve been interested in,” Wu said.
According to Forbes, to be successful, college visits should “incorporate a wide variety [of schools] to help your student get a better understanding of their preferences.” This usually involves different types of locations, from rural to urban settings. However, this often requires time: a valuable resource that most high
To many, it’s much more time-efficient to visit college campuses where they’ve already planned vacations — or in some cases, to make the college visit a vacation in itself.
“When you’re planning a college trip, it’s really important that you’re not traveling internationally or across the country just for college,” Sheffer said. “You also want to know the surrounding areas of the college you’re visiting, and that’s almost as important as the college itself.”
Of course, some students don’t have the resources to travel across the country to visit college, or even travel close to home. For these students, digital resources are a key resource to take advantage of.
“I’ve tried a digital tour where I clicked my way through the school, but I don’t think it’s a good replacement for the real thing,” Wu said.
Overall, college visits are a key part of the college application experience for any high school student interested in pursuing higher education.
“Visiting a college can make or break whether you want to apply there, so college visits are definitely a key part of the application experience,” Wu said. v
Text by SARINA GREWAL Art by SALEM COYLE
Sand, Surf, and Secret Spots
How to upgrade your next beach trip
After the fifth circle around the seaside streets, feeling woozy, the decision was made to risk ignoring the ‘No Parking’ sign. Lazily stepping onto the sand, a sharp object pierced the foot. Below lay the shiny plastic culprit. A small child’s shriek drew attention to the family of five responsible for the stray object. They quickly disappeared from view as strong wind pushed hair into the eyes and ran a chill down the spine. Grabbing a jacket from the car, a parking ticket was found adorning the windshield. Such is the novice’s beach experience. For smoother sailing, here are a few tips.
Tread carefully! Wilder Ranch State Park offers access to tidepools during low tide, but the algae makes the trek slippery. Starfish and anenomes hide out in the crevices of each pool.
Nikki Heydarpour, 12: “I love to go to Martin’s Beach. It’s a secret cove along Highway 1, it’s the most beautiful beach ever, it [Martin’s Beach] looks like Europe.”
Kiana Feidis, 12: “I really like San Gregorio beach because it’s super big and has great shells. In Santa Cruz, I love 4 Mile Beach because the sunsets there are awesome. But if I’m surfing, I love the beaches in Pacifica or the Jetty for smaller waves.”
Cal Currier, 12: “Parking at California state beaches is from sunrise to sunset. If you are there after dark, they will give you a ticket but not lock the gate so that you can get out. If you get ticketed at any beach, the money will go to the state beaches so it’s a good cause.
You always want to bring layers because there is always an onshore breeze. Even if it’s a really hot day, it’s going to be freezing cold in Half Moon bay.
My favorite Beach is San Gregorio because it is covered in driftwood so you can build forts and things. There are coves there, too. In terms of secret beaches, there are a couple but they are secrets so I’m not going to share them.”
More to Explore
Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz offers a range of beach options. Five Mile Beach, Natural Bridges, and Younger Lagoon are all located here. Tidepool enthusiasts may particularly enjoy Natural Bridges and Younger Lagoon, where during low tide visitors can spot starfish, sea urchins, crabs, sea anemones, mussels, and sometimes even octopuses.
Despite its distance, Santa Cruz is a compelling option due to its warmer climate and reduced wind, along with many nearby food and shopping choices. A notable spot in Downtown Santa Cruz is Taqueria Jalapenos, for its generous portions and flavorful Mexican food at affordable prices. Additionally, there are many thrift stores and boutiques, including Motherlode, a vintage clothing store offering trendy apparel at reasonable prices. However, one downside is visitors should be prepared for parking challenges, as paid parking may be the only choice. v
Text by KAT FARRELL VIA
Mishaps in P A R A
D I S E
Text by JULIA CURTIS
Photo by SADIE PERERO
Finals turned in, presents bought, swimsuits packed, and suitcase in hand, my mom and I boarded the plane to The Big Island, embarking on a family vacation to visit my aunt and uncle for Christmas. Excited to stay in a comfy cottage among breadfruit trees and giant palms, I looked forward to evenings curling up with cats on the porch hammock while overlooking the gorgeous view of the coast— despite the horse and donkey inhabiting its long and nerve-racking driveway. But this trip wasn’t the idyllic paradise our agenda made it out to be. Our compact rental car struggled to hike the dangerously torn-up driveway to our beach destination, sharp lava rocks sliced our legs while snorkeling, and our flight home was canceled, leaving us sleeping outside the airport.
Some memories were certainly made; however, so was a pact never to return to the Big Island.
My cousins and I had planned a beach day for the day after Christmas, to a remote shore past a dangerously tornup road, a field of lava rocks, and a long sandy path through low trees and shrubs. Approaching the parking lot, however, our rental sedan stood in the shadow of towering trucks, the only car of its kind in the vicinity besides a silver mustang, giving us hope for the journey. As our car struggled to ascend the boulders and avoid potholes of the previously paved road, the wheels of a GMC left scattered dust in its wake as it effortlessly rolled past us. Eventually, the Mustang, having just U-Turned around, pulled up beside us and rolled their win-
dow down, the driver clearly warning us that our car would not be able to handle the road ahead. Leaving was even worse than coming, despite my uncle navigating the terrain for us from outside the car. On the way in, a step down was manageable; however, a step up of almost a foot, was not. Although we made it out unscathed (barely), later making it to the beach in my uncle’s rented four-wheel-drive, we decided not to disclose the encounter to the rental car company.
The Big Island has some of the best snorkeling in the world, glossy postcards and framed pictures of highlighter-vibrant fish, anemone, octopuses, and coral sold in every store and plastered on every wall. Perhaps it was the dank overcast above, but the slightly underwhelming amount of coral and the sea-sickening lull of the waves didn’t quite compare to our expectations. The fish we did see through, were incredible to view. However, just as we were about to leave, the manageable shrug of the tide turned aggressive. With sharp lava rocks covered in slippery algae our only exit route, we emerged from the snorkeling spot with our legs cut and bruised.
Departure-day arrived as we packed up our suitcases, said goodbye to the porch cats, and made our way for the last time up the treacherous driveway of our remote B&B for a day in town. Despite the sleep in our eyes and the scars on our legs, a we spent a nice dinner by the beach on our last night in Hawaii. A picture perfect sunset sky glowed as we ate our fill, glad our vacation ended on a good note.
However our smiles faded as when we arrived at the airport, for our 11 o’clock redeye, as it had been delayed. As the hours waiting to board racked up, our backs began to ache in the outdoor airport’s wooden benches. Eventually, an apologetic man announced a technical difficulty, declaring our flight canceled. Luckily, against the 30-some others violently tapping their devices for last-minute tickets, we were able to snag the last two seats on a Southwest flight the next morning. We were ushered from the gate to the outdoor baggage claim at around 1 am, complete with concrete floors, no benches, and a surprise sprinkler attack. There were no hotels open, it being 1 o’clock and Winter Break, so despite the airport’s apologies, we were forced to camp out in the open. After a couple ending their honeymoon rented a car at 5 am to sleep in, while others desperately called every hotel within a 20-mile radius to stay at, we made ourselves at home near an outlet under a pillar, with beach towels as blankets and a suitcase as a pillow. Eventually, a couple of merciful flight attendants brought out first-class snacks, water bottles, and blankets. The airport opened back up at 7 am, so with stale Rice Krispie Treats and Rainbow Goldfish in hand, we made our way to our gate.
Though we did get to see a cooled lava flow, steam vents, and waterfalls, get to swim in beautifully clear water, and spend time with family, it was definitely not the picturesque vacation we’d imagined, that’s for sure. v
A Gem Within the City
Unearthing buried treasures in the city that never sleeps
NEW YORK IS, in many ways, the heart of the United States.
With a bustling nightlife and illuminated skyscrapers, perpetually in construction, it is a city of modernity and progress, known for its innovation.
But nestled in the middle of cherry blossom groves and bushy green trees, right across from normal city blocks, is a broad, ivory building, its architecture more reminiscent of something from the past.
Though slightly jarring, this is no rarity – there are plenty of museums in New York for the curious visitor. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York’s branch of the Museum of Modern Art are both renowned for their glimpses into the evolution of art across human history, must-sees even in a city full of must-sees.
For visitors interested in another sort of evolution, this building – the American Museum of Natural History – is a special gem within the city that never sleeps. New York is already teeming with history, as the first capital of the United States, right beside the site of the Statue of Liberty. But for travellers looking to go further back,
the American Museum of Natural History provides an interactive experience for tourists to learn and see animals from millions of years ago to today.
The American Museum of Natural History is not keen on subtlety, either. As one enters the building, they are immediately greeted by two gigantic fossils. A tyrannosaurus rex and brachiosaurus stand opposed to one another, reared up, as if frozen mid-movement. Though made of nothing more than ancient sediment and plaster, they imitate life present on our earth millions of years, two brilliant examples that foretell the rest of what lies inside. Deeper within its walls, visitors can find sights just as grand: a life-size model of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling, a fossil of a brontosaurus whose neck stretches out the doorway of the room it’s positioned in, and the most well preserved full fossil of a dinosaur found to date.
The museum has visuals of modern animals as well, a zoo within its own right, halls full of taxidermied animals from different areas around the world. Lining the walls are vibrant tigers, bears, an array of exotic birds. There is even a butterfly
vivarium, filled with 80 species of live butterflies which flutter about in every shade of the rainbow within a tropical enclosure.
Through its visuals of modern animals, the museum takes care to emphasize the fragility of our natural world, too, between high definition photos of critically endangered insects and taxidermies of animals that we have already driven to extinction.
Even for those not inclined towards wildlife, the museum has a sizable collection of minerals, including samples from the first expedition on the moon and the oldest rock samples known to mankind. Furthermore, there are even artifacts from human cultures around the world, such as dioramas of mannequins wearing ancient clothing from around the world.
To any curious souls looking for an exhibit that puts them intimately close to both ancient and modern wonders of our natural world, the American Museum of Natural History delivers an experience unlike any other. Even in a city with so many sights to behold, it’s well worth a few hours of any visitor’s tour. v
Text and Photo by Salem Coyle
VIA Verde 23
hiking through heights and history
45KM AND FOUR DAYS THROUGH THE ANDES
Alpacas and llamas littered the landscape all throughout the fourday trip, starting from Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire, all the way to the Inca Trail. Our tour guide, Juan Carlos, taught us about the significance of alpacas as a means of transportation, food, and ritual in Incan culture.
EVELYN ZHANG
Although we were graced with wonderful warm weather throughout our South America trip, as it was summer during January in the southern hemisphere, we were not met with the same kindness while hiking the Inca Trail. January is a heavy rain season, meaning our path was often times slippery.
Text and photos by
On the last day of our trip, with sore legs and tired bodies, we finally hiked into Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel and one of the seven wonders of the world. To reach Machu Picchu in time to beat the crowds, our wake-up call was at 3:30am the morning of. We proceeded to hike in the dark for two hours, with only headlights to guide us. However, although this four-day expedition was centered around reaching Machu Picchu, the other Incan ruins and views that we saw along the way, such as Wiñay Wayna, Ollantaytambo, and Ayapata.
My brother, Richie, as we descend from Dead Woman’s Pass. We reached the peak of this mountain pass on Day 2 of the hike. The clouds surrounding my brother in this picture help visualize just how high up we were as we rested at the top of the pass, also known as Warmi Wañusqa in Quechua, the language of the indigenous people of Peru.
We hiked the Inca Trail through the Alpaca Expeditions tour company, who put us in a group with six others from around the world. Pictured here is our group before we embarked on the challenging four-day hike of 45 kilometers — we initially sat at around 9,000 feet elvation. Over the next few days, we would climb to about 14,000 feet above sea level. The tour company provided us with the help of porters, who carried our tents, food, and supplies throughout the trip at back-breaking speeds. We were also accompanied by two tour guides, both of whom spoke Quechua and taught us about their native language and shared with us their wealth of knowledge about the area We had feasts every night, thanks to the skill of multiple chefs.
A collection of student’s film photos taken across the globe, from Ahmedabad, India to Istanbul, Turkey. Paly students capture timeless moments on trendy film cameras, which give the photos a vintage feel.
