Danarazzi

It’s extremely difficult to describe just how brilliant the mountains of Nevada are, so take a moment to picture this scene: you’re gliding down a snowy mountain in the USA with just a pair of skis attached to your feet and two ski poles for support.  The wind’s blowing in your goggle-wrapped and fluffy hat wearing face, and whilst it’s supposedly bitterly cold, the sun is beating down on you managing to keep you completely safe and warm. It’s a complete contrast, but utterly wonderful. Everyone around you seems to be falling over, but you’re the pro of the pack, nothing can slow you down! “Wahoo!” you scream in exhilaration! Then bam, you’re face first in the snow, but it doesn’t matter, you’re having one of the best days of your life.

This was my routine for a total of five days with a group of around 12, made up entirely of my friends and colleagues. “Good job Daniel, you’re almost ready to move up to the next level of skiing!” Ok, so I may have exaggerated a tad earlier with my ‘pro status’ – I was in the least able group out of all of those that we’d been assigned to, and we were sticking with some of the less challenging slopes available, but I’d certainly progressed from day one where I almost forgot to take some gloves with me to the slopes, so who cares?

Sierra Ski Resort, the place we’d chosen to spend our time had something to offer absolutely everybody, from newcomers like me to the seasoned skiing experts looking for something a little more daring.

Instructors with some of the greatest accents to ever grace my ears put all of us at ease right from the get go, and everybody was extremely patient whilst some of us struggled to get to grips immediately with what we were doing, making sure no-one would be left straggling behind of the pack. Value for money is something that the company felt a great need to deliver – and they sure as hell did their job. Not only that, but they truly immersed themselves with our groups. They didn’t just teach us then go home; they took the time to get to know each and every one of us and joined us for meals on regular occasions.

The five days went far too quickly, and I promised myself in that moment of rushing down the mountain that I would return one day for a longer period to experience the thrills once more.

For the final two days of my journey, I travelled to San Francisco where I was greeted with what I have been told was some of the snowiest weather they’d had that year, which unfortunately resulted in us being late for a bus and ferry ride to the infamous Alcatraz. I never did get to see the inside of the prison, and I remain to this very second bitterly disappointed!

Luckily we had other ideas for the rest of the day, and decided on doing something I’d wanted to do ever since I first saw the amazing piece of construction – we walked the Golden Gate Bridge.

“That water’s shark-infested” one of my companions told me. I didn’t doubt it for a second – it looked murky, deep and absolutely freezing cold. I certainly didn’t have any plans to go for a dip any time soon.

Hordes of excited people seemingly flocked to the bridge, just to walk across it and take photos with the grand structure, and I happily joined in, feeling like a child who was opening his first present on Christmas Day.

As the sun set, I looked out over the depths and caught a glimpse of Alcatraz. How strange, I thought to myself, that people now willingly go to this island bursting with excitement and wonder when just a short time ago, anyone going there thought that they would never see a way back (only two men were patrolled back out into the real world!), and were rarely given a chance to even speak to one another. How times change.

We made it to the other side  of the bridge slowly yet steadily, taking in every moment, then made our way back to our hotel for a quick rest before our final day before we had to go home. It had come far too quickly, and I was dreading the 12 hour journey.

With our last few hours, we did what most people love to do when they go on holiday – shop, shop, shop! Prices were cheap at the time, and I found myself in indulging in much more than was really necessary (did I REALLY need a Calvin Klein wallet?) Time flew, and before I knew it, it was time to depart.

I hate goodbyes, and this was one of the worst I’ve experienced, but I knew immediately that the trip as a whole would definitely stay with me forever. America was a mystery to me when I first set out on my adventure, but it now truly held a little piece of my heart which it will keep forever. I cannot wait to get back there again and experience just a chunk more of the multitude of things the country has to offer.