Page 40 - Oz Kids in Print, Issue 1, 2020

Sky Rocket

S hANS Christian Anderson quickly disappeared, being replaced with them about their favourite place to eat,
once said, “to travel is to live”. As a uncontrollable feelings of excitement. but it was impossible as they were also
Achild, I was fascinated by the idea consumed with fear. Though, I envied the
of exploring different continents and their hours quickly passed and we became locals because they seemed relaxed and
cultures. It was always a passion of mine more and more tired, growing desperate completely at ease. My breathing became
to one day visit Asia, seeing as my parents to retreat back into the comfort of our harsh and ragged as the roaring flame rose
would frequently tell me stories about hotel rooms. It was until I saw something into the balloon. I couldn’t hear my rapid
the breathtaking landscapes and amazing that captivated me. In big and bright breathing but I could definitely feel the
street foods they would indulge in. At the neon letters, the words ‘Sky rocket’ shone oxygen that quickly entered and left my
age of eight, I was given the opportunity luminously over a nearby ticket booth. I lungs. My hands gripped onto the woven
to experience this firsthand. felt as though it was calling me and I had basket, feeling the rough Dacron scrape
a strong urge to walk towards it. When against my delicate fingertips. I closed
One of the countries I vividly remember we purchased our tickets, we did not my eyes and whispered a prayer as we
going to is Thailand. Once I boarded specifically know what it was for, however, ascended. The balloon went higher and
the plane with my family, I sat anxiously we assumed that it was a rollercoaster. We higher with no promise of meeting the
as the plane was preparing to take off. were quickly led to a nearby elevator when ground again.
however, I started to relax, despite the I suddenly felt my stomach twist into a
subtle vibration of the plane’s wheels as it tight knot. I thought to myself, ‘this is odd’ Aside from the sounds of the burner, it was
began to speed up on the runway. I spent and ‘why is the rollercoaster starting from completely silent. I felt the cool wind blow
the time watching the wings slice through the top of the building?’. We shot each through my hair as if it was daring me to
the white velvet clouds and before I knew other looks of concern as the elevator kept open my eyes. The first thing I saw in front
it, I was stepping out of the airport. I was going higher and higher until we inevitably of me were thousands of bright twinkling
immediately greeted by the illuminating reached the rooftop. stars, all of different sizes and shapes, in
sun which shone brighter than a beacon. the pure black of the sky which made them
Sweat instantly began to drip from my That’s when we saw it. This wasn’t a stand out. high in the sky was the silver
head to my toes. The sweltering heat of rollercoaster but instead, it was an moon that illuminated the city below. I
the summer was so powerful that even enormous hot air balloon. Our eyes gained the courage to look down from
the trees looked overwhelmed – the widened as a jab of fear and adrenaline the basket and saw a different perspective
leaves which should have been green and rushed through our bloodstreams. The of the country, something that I wouldn’t
bright were instead a crunchy brown. idea of being in a hot air balloon sparked have seen any other way. The view was
I looked around at the landscape and intense trepidation. My heart was about enchanting. The tall contemporary
was astounded. The country looked as to explode. My hands trembled and buildings elegantly contrasted the smaller,
if there had been a massive collision of my eyes began to water as I stepped more dilapidated homes. The country was
ancient and modern worlds, two distinctly into the unstable basket, preparing to equally bustling in the night as it were
different landscapes meshed into a natural plummet to my death. The others were during the day. From above, I could see
wonderland. I was still shaking from the not completely thrilled about this either the ant-like pedestrians that roamed the
built-up nervousness that bottled up in me as I saw them shivering with terror. I tried streets. Their joyous laughter filled my
from the flight, as if I was ready to burst to distract myself by making conversation ears, encapsulating Thailand’s magical
like a champagne cork. with the others in the basket, asking essence. I remember feeling at peace as we
slowly floated through the air. however,
On our first night, we all decided to visit the serenity was quickly interrupted by the
the indoor amusement park located close aggressive burner as we began to descend.
to the hotel where we were staying.
Walking into the building, we were The landing was smoother than I had
instantly welcomed with chaotic expected. I jumped out of the basket
children running around, holding and kissed the ground due to my
their ice cream cones that melted new-found appreciation for the land.
and dripped down their small hands, I felt a sense of accomplishment as
and their parents frantically chasing I had finally slayed the dragon that
after them. The smells of greasy mini once had a powerful hold on me. That
donuts and cotton candy lingered day I learned that fear was the greatest
in the air making my stomach growl illusion, an illusion that can hold you
despite just eating. The run-down building back from life’s best adventures.
seemed as though it had slowly collapsed
into itself, and the roof sagged as if a giant By Joanna Tang
had sat on it. Despite the horrendous Year 12, St Dominic’s Priory College
state of the amusement park, all of my NORTH ADELAIDE – SA
previous feelings of anxiety and fear Teacher: Shelda Rathmann

40 Oz Kids in Print