I'm extremely happy to be in Steemit, so now I can share my feelings with you.

As long as I remember the pastime in the United States I have only positive memories. I was about ten years old when my coach got an invitation to the U.S. to take part in a competition. I did rhythmic gymnastics and I had no idea what the USA was like.
First I'd like to say that I'm a Russian girl who has fallen in love with the States, especially with California. I don't wanna hurt anybody's feelings, I just wanna tell you about the experience I got. So as they say: "Viewer discretion is advised". ;)
Lots of people regardless of their experience believe in different things. Those people are around me and it hurts that they unconsciously trust politicians and the TV. By the way, we have such a questionable expression with a rhyme in Russia that means that you should stay where you were born otherwise you'll have a worthless life. Well, people sometimes tell me that proverb.

Alright.

1. The ocean

It was February and the Pacific Ocean was absolutely cold, but Russian girls plucked up their courage and all we could do - wet our feet ;) I remember standing on the coast. The classic fear: the blood flushed in my legs so I could run away, but my arms started freezing. I was thinking about the infinity of nature. Heavy thick waves were rising up, then falling down the ocean that swallowed them immediately. I felt like I was the tiniest bit of the enormous World. I was about to fling myself into the navy blue ocean that reminded me of a painting as though gouache and aquarelle could coexist in one sketch. Incredible... but I felt the whole vast of the west coast. We were running after each other, our laugh was completely out of control. I purely loved being a small girl who didn't care about time going so fast, about people staring at me, and the most important thing for me was that, no matter how commonplace it could sound, I didn't have to be someone else. I appreciate it a lot in their culture.

2. Las Vegas

Our coach decided to rent a car through a few days in San Diego and we set off for a journey to Vegas. There were crowds of people on the streets, their faces were varied, maybe it was all about losses and winnings. The city stood in marked contrast to others, just it was having something that another one could never ever be having. Even there, being stuck in a city that never slept, I felt broad-minded. If only I could turn up there I would rent a cabriolet, convert it to an open-air mode, step on the gas and rise my hands up into the air.

At night we stood at the fence and we all were excited to watch The Fountains of Bellagio. Best ever! It was accompanied by concert of classical tunes & Broadway songs.

Even though I was ten and the casino was declared off-limits to me, I had a chance to be taken in the photo with 'Elvis Presley'. :)

3. Cirque du Soleil and walking

The thing you should not miss in your life - visit Cirque du Soleil! We did it also in Vegas. I can't even describe how spellbound we all were and how professional it all was. The time had flashed by!

I remember walking down the streets. I really fancied having a walk there. Basically, I was unaccustomed to watching happy people faces that were shining with their snow-white teeth. I had never noticed someone arguing. I thought like I started becoming the same person as they were. I have no idea why people can't treat each other like there.

4. SeaWorld & some photos from the zoo

Basically, I wasn't really sold on the zoo, but I opened another place - SeaWorld. It was like a zoo, but! I was able to stroke a rayfish! We were completely wet and impressed after killer whale's show and we had tried all rides. And there were a lot of other incredible things available.

5. A competition

The only thing we didn't care about - the competition, but I had to be grateful - I might never experience that I did without an invitation from American rhythmic gymnastics association. Everyone greeted us with respect. That's why we performed as best as possible.

6. Universal Studios

If only you have a day off in LA you should definitely visit Universal Studios. We were passing by all the filming stuff and I couldn't even imagine how would it work in real life, in real Universal. It was really thrilling to see everything from the inside.

We had unforgettable trip there. All the girls stood in a queue waiting for an open minibus. It was a tour through the Studios; the bus stopped next to furnishings and a scary voice told us stories of certain moments from a particular film.

I can't remember which movie the screenshot belongs to, but this one is called "A witness". We stopped nearby the hotel, this guy was absolutely confused when he was leaving a room. He was carrying a body in a carpet, then he brokenly tried to cram the body into the trunk. The next stage: brokenly tried to close it. A thought was: "Oh, no! They have witnessed me!" He took out a knife and approached us, but we were sitting in the minibus and it recked not of moving on! It was pleasant fear. We were leaving the place at the last moment, when he was already about chasing us!

___

That is all what I would like to say. You can feel free to ask me any question, I probably could miss something important.

I'm fully sure that the air could feel my happy breathing there... Probably, I was too young to put value on the trip. Probably, something has changed since breathing the smell of the ocean. The thing is that I can never be like they are. I will always be a girl with Russian mentality. Of course, I love my country, but the truth is I do want my future kids to be happier than I am (it is all about the people). I honestly think that if you undoubtedly believe in your dream you definitely have to check this out before you obstinately refuse your dream to come true and before you copy the people that don't give credence to you.
Thank you so much for reading the post. I hope you have an opportunity to live in a place you adore and have a chance to make your life better.

- Alice