Crisp, cold air blasts into our faces as we step out of the car, our bodies not uncomfortable but tingling with excitement feeling the outlandish weather. The sky is stained an inky black color, sprinkled with little wondrous balls of pure light. Looking upward, I feel utterly alive, and puny compared to the infinite number of planets and stars in space. An unforgiving winter breeze gently brushes by, navigating effortlessly through my aged decrepit jacket to my bare defenseless skin, vigorously commanding every last hair on my body to stick straight up to attention. Suddenly, a force like a raging rhino strikes my fleshy side. Chalky powdered snow mixed with grungy brown dirt forcefully explodes on the ground, shooting an abundant amount of fragments that are swallowed up by the icy earth. The hysterical laughter of a small, brown haired gir with frizzy hair pierces through the eerie silence of the night, mercilessly mocking my reaction to her triumphant assault. Distracted by the laughter, we do not notice the stealthy giant silhouette hurtling towards us, traveling with such a high velocity that would impress the smartest of physicists.

As the massive silhouette got closer, it let out a majestic powerful roar, loud sound waves barreling their way past the flimsy eardrums of anyone within a mile. Acknowledging the mighty figure , we embrace chaos by grabbing any suitcase in our proximity and move hastily towards a
wooden platform illuminated by dusty old lamps giving out an unearthly yellowish glow. Bright orange luminescent sparks shoot in all directions, caused by the explosive friction of hard steel slowing on steel. Eventually the massive hunk of steel comes to a complete stop, letting out another magnificent roar. My family slowly inched up towards the mammoth creature, beckoned into it by a shadowy figure shouting with an authoritative voice “All aboard!” The whole scene suspiclously resembled the Polar Express movie plot. Upon entering, a tidal wave of different smells hits me, pungent body odor mixed with the scent of weak strawberry perfume and diesel fuel. Braving through the foul odors, four empty seats present themselves to us, and, with lightning quickness that would make Flash jealous, we claim them and sit down, ready to succumb to the sweet withdrawal from reality known as sleep. Deep rumbling snores fill the area, making it near impossible to fall asleep. A man in a sharp blue suit and milky white tie dances down the aisles, taking care not to brush against the bristly heads of sleeping passengers. As if he is hypnotizing me with his dance, I gently fall asleep with a comfortable safe sense, feeling the reassuring vibrations through my plush cotton pillow.

With no obligations for the coming day, the gentle melodic rumble of steel hitting steel wakes me up. I wake up with a great big yawn that fills the vacant space of the area, people soon joining me in a chorus of yawns so well meshed together it was as if there was a music director conducting a world-class choir. After our chorus, people, with hair sticking up every way imaginable, soon notice the delicate smell of egg mixed with appetizing, mouth wetting sausage. Sluggishly getting up people follow the enticing smell towards the promised land, the promised land of tasty, delicious, succulent food, willing to walk forever if that’s what it takes to get there.


When we arrive finally, a man in a deep ocean blue colored suit asks us for our orders. Looking at the menu, I want to order everything and savor it for the rest of eternity. Railroad
French toast drizzled with syrup covered in powdered sugar, great omelets with mountains of tomatoes, cheese, and cilantro, everything looks delicious. Placing an order of a continental breakfast, I weep on the inside with remorse because I cannot order every aromatic item on the menu. After what seems like years of waiting, my breakfast consisting of a sweet tangy orange, crunchy crisp bacon, and seasoned egg is delivered. Finally. Each member of my family promptly devoured his or her’s breakfast, leaving four wiped clean plates and green money on the table. Anxious to leave the numerous people gorging themselves beyond their stomach’s capability, we head back to our cozy seats ready to start the lackadaisical day.

Back in our seats, my dad casually whips out the card game UNO, challenging anyone who deems themselves worthy enough to play. The challenge being accepted, everyone receives seven multi-colored paper thin cards. Once the first card is drawn, the game begins. Darting hands manipulated by eager minds flash about, taking no heed of the irrelevant rough bumps occasionally occurring that knock cards everywhere. Finally one cherry red “skip” card remains in my hand. This is it. Years of training, tireless hours put into UNO, all leading up to this moment. I say “UNO,” a tiny bead of sweat drips down from my hair. YES! Fireworks go off in my heart! Everyone chanting my name! The fame, the fortune! The card dealt was a green one, allowing me to beat all odds and win the game! Celebrating, each person around me gives me a hearty congratulations before diverting their attention somewhere else.


Still high on my UNO win, I lazily gazed out the window. Rich landscapes full of towering leafless trees and mountains covered by an icing layer of snow fill my vision. Soon rich
landscapes are gone, being replaced by barren landscapes sparkling with the sun being reflected off snow as far as the eye can see. From the snug blanket-like air at my seat, I soon give in to
nagging sleep that my body can so easily produce in the comforting cabin that we are traveling in, content with wherever it is taking us.

Awakened by a clamorous penetrating whistle, I look out the window. Great awe inspiring buildings of cement fill the hazy landscape. Our transportation has nearly fulfilled its purpose. With an even greater rattling, it surged forward with charcoal colored smoke coming out of its lungs. There was an air of excitement throughout the cabin, hushed whispers of finally arriving to a long awaited destination. Suddenly, the whole massive vehicle was engulfed in a tunnel of complete and utter darkness, screeching to a halt. Looking around, the feeling of unity was all around as we all knew that the most cumbersome part of our journey had come to t an end. Gathering our luggage and slowly trudging down the cabin, we looked back through the hazy moist mist back at the majestic train that transported us all the way to Chicago.

Slowly making our way through the packed train station is a raging battle against everyone around. Elbows smack into flesh, luggage knocks rolls over feet, with apologies being rapidly exchanged with everyone in a hurry. Trudging through the air that smells like diesel mating with body odor, we finally make it through the station out to the magnificent bustling city of Chicago. It is a live breathing organism, with people acting as the cells and the buildings acting as the mangy limbs. Unfortunately we can’t stay long, as we have a tighter schedule then the Polar Express. We must make it to my Grandma’s house by the end of the day. It is life or death. Rapidly running over to the car rental company, my Dad makes the decision of renting the first silver god-knows-what car he sees.


One last car ride to get to the prized destination, Detroit. It can’t be that bad, right? Wrong. The knights fighting dragons had it easy; I had to brave another 6 hours locked in a cold steel contraption with my sister. My sister is the most evil creature to walk this planet, her voice puts a banshee scream to shame, her touch is cold and unforgiving, so evil that hell itself spit her back out. There’s no avoiding it, I just need to get it over with. Into the last haul, the last good fight I’ll ever know, here I go. By hour one my hands have grown into raging tiger claws trying to scratch my way out of the car. My parents do nothing, they are powerless against my sister and they know it. The best thing to do is to just let her do her thing, praying to what merciful God we have for her to stop. But wait! By god! I spot my savior, my guardian angel! My pair of snow white headphones is poking out of my bag, ready to save me from the verbal assault being made by my sister. Within seconds blaring sound waves release me from my torment of my sister. I can live with this for the next five hours, easy peasy.

By hour five the scene is familiar, black sludgy snow on the sides, run down neighbors that have seen more then their fair share. Back to Detroit. Moving through the grand city, we start to pass through the older parts of the neighborhood, slowly drawing closer to my Grandma’s house. With the sun setting through the cloud stricken sky, a light sprinkling of snow starts, dusting the top of our car as we speed merrily along. A smart right hand turn by my Dad puts us onto a familiar dirt road. A frozen lake sits in the distance, it’s blanket of snow and ice covering it as if to keep it warm from the unforgiving chilly night. Finally we pull onto a long dirt driveway, welcomed by 40-year old, half working Christmas lights strewn onto a warm inviting shelter. Suddenly, people are pouring out of the house, ready to welcome us. Leisurely getting out of the car, the journey was paid off by the barrage of hugs all around.