Happy Place, Gamaliel Ybarra

Happy Place Almost every year my family and I go to Barranquilla, Colombia. When I was 10 we went to this farm that had a huge cabin, like an entire house made of logs. Behind that cabin was an amazing river, I remember all the colors of this scenery. The plants and tree’s leaves were a deep green color, the fruit hanging off the trees was a pretty yellow, and the water was clear blue. “Mommy, can we go in?” I asked her excitedly, while starring into the water. “Later on, first we have to eat and change our clothes.” She said grabbing my hand to walk into our cabin for the night. My grandma cooked us one of my favorite breakfast meals, scrambled eggs with chopped tomato and onions, alongside cooked slices of hotdog. Chowing down, and thinking about that river in the backyard. After breakfast I asked my mom again, “Can we go swimming now?” I pleaded “Not right after you just ate, wait a bit more” She said while unpacking our clothes. I wanted to screech and just jump in the water with my outing clothes on. 35 minutes had passed when she finally let me get dressed to go in. As we walked down the small path to the lake, I saw a beautiful plant with 10 leaves on each side, and when I touched it, it slowly yet gracefully closed. “Wow, come look!” I yelled out for my family to come see. After my parents and sister were done looking at the leaves we got in, finally. The river was a little chilly, but I can see the bottom clearly, the rocks, the water flowing down a stream. I was so happy, my happiest in life at that point. Splashing and laughing with my sister while my parents relaxed on the sides. No fights, no loud screaming, it was so peaceful. Leaving was the worst part, I cried because I knew we wouldn’t be back for a long time, and 5 years later we still haven’t been. Whenever I get upset, frustrated or angry, I just think of that place. It was amazing, and it was my first real look at nature.