What an Outstanding Experience?!!
I just returned from a 16 day customized tour of South Dakota US. It was such a wonderful experience that I will always keep in my mind and in my heart. I became more independent and open minded to a new culture. We visited such fabulous places and memorials that really amazed us like Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, The falls park, etc. through which we were impressed by its beautiful landscape and through which we knew more about the country, its history, culture, food, government, etc.. we were glad to attend such a wonderful event there too which was the Festival of books where we attended a lot of speeches, met a lot of famous authors and get stuffed with a lot of new information and knowledge. We especially enjoyed our staying with Host Families, which is a truly unique experience I would recommend to everyone. They were welcoming and kind. We had a lot of fun with them and I would never forget their very kind hospitality and the delicious food they prepared for us especially awesome breakfasts. We met many people during the festival of books and during visiting high schools and colleges; we interacted with them as we knew more about their culture and they knew more about our culture. We really made many friends during our visit to the three cities Brookings, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. Speaking about our chaperones Dr. Hossam Fahmy and Ms. Menna El Sayed, we cannot say enough about them. They were our guides and our friends who took care of us and shared with us this wonderful experience that I would never forget.

You cannot imagine how difficult it was to talk about one place but one article would not be enough to talk about every single part in this fabulous trip. I chose to talk about Sioux Falls, which was one of the great cities we visited. There was always something to do. A known favorite place was the Falls Park. The history of Sioux Falls revolves around the cascades of the Big Sioux River. The falls were created about 14,000 years ago during the last ice age. It is a gorgeous place now and the falls themselves are beautiful and impressive. There is also more to enjoy than watching thousands of gallons of gushing water. The place itself includes light shows about the history of the town as there are couple of statues like Monarch Of The Plains, which represents the Dakotan Bison. It was sculpted from South Dakota granite. Another statue is the American Farmer. In addition, there was the Sioux Falls light and Power Company building which is now a café on the property with an outdoor dinning area viewing the spectacular views of the falls. There are also remnants of the Queen Bee Mill on the property for visitors to see. We did not miss to enjoy the view from the free overlook tower (about 5 stories high) with elevator and to go around the attractive gift shops there.
The place was clean and beautiful. The trees, the grass, the view of the falls, the sound of the gushing water with the fresh mist in air all create what we call the beauty of nature. It is beautiful and peaceful having a family atmosphere and it is so visitor and child friendly. I noticed many kids having fun climbing the rocks, dipping their tiny toes in the water, finding tiny shells in the sand and running around the grass. There were a lot of families and tourists everywhere climbing the rocks, fishing, biking, taking pictures and doing many more activities that are fun. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun but not as much as I did. I could sit there forever and just stare at the spectacular view, listen to the waterfalls and enjoy the small drops of water in the fresh air. And may be it sounds little weird or funny when I say that the best part about Falls park, in my opinion, is climbing around on all of the exposed quartzite rock. Unlike most places that have requisite “stay on path” signs. So they do not mind if you hop a railing to get a closer look at the river and enjoy it.
The physical beauty of watching the water cascading down combined with the historical buildings makes the park a unique outdoor adventure. Prior to this, I wrote this poem to this lovely place.
Falls Park thanks for let me enjoy
Relaxation and happiness full of joy
I simply fell in love from the first sight
Seeing such spectacular stuff in the sun light
Starting from the gallons of gushing water
Ending with the high overlook tower
Every son and every daughter
Dipped their toes in the water

Around the grass kids were running
Along the path children were biking
Among the rocks people were climbing

Queen Bee Mill was like a jewelry
To tell us more about your history
Which I once thought it was a mystery

Do not forget to take a picture
In this unique out door adventure

Visiting you was never a regret
You are the place I will vote and elect
To everyone from every district
And everyone who wants to visit

I really had so much fun
Sioux Falls you are the one
I would never forget on the long run

Together forever never apart
May be in distance but never in heart
Thanks god for giving me the chance of having such an experience.

Thanks,
Yassmine Warda.