my second paper for english composition.

this one is based on a memory of or remembering something that you've done.

Castle from a Fantasy

I always thought that living in Indiana meant I’d never visit a castle. Looking at pictures of castles in Ireland where they are surrounded by mountains and emerald colored trees, I knew that I would never have an opportunity to make it there. That is before I knew about a wonder that was sitting right under my nose. Meyers Castle is nestled right outside Crown Point, Indiana. When my boyfriend Christopher and I pulled up to a large gate right off the highway on an evening in late spring, we had no idea what was in store for us.

After parking, a shuttle came to pick us up. The man driving the shuttle was very pleasant and amusingly clever. At this point, we couldn’t see anything, and I was definitely bubbling over with anticipation. As we crept up what seemed like a mountainous hill, the castle began to unveil itself. I saw a white peacock, a courtyard with a stone walk-way leading up to the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen in person, and white lights looked like little stars lining arched light posts that guided the way. The shuttle pulled up to the back door, and I tried to gather myself from already being completely awed. A large man in a black suit checked our I.D.’s and we were in. I had trouble keeping myself from giggling and speed walking down a stone corridor; an adult in my version of a Wonka Chocolate Factory.

I hesitantly put my hand on the handle of one of two giant dark wooden doors, thinking that there was still some way we were not allowed there, and the smile across my face started to hurt my cheeks. We walked into what seemed like a dark cave, but it was filled with its own Aura Borealis of lights. Mellow reggae music played as we walked to up to the bar. Patiently waiting for our drinks, I evaluated that the basement was broken up into multiple sections. Some had brown leather couches with end tables to each side, glowing with the light of candles. Others had high tables with equally tall chairs seating two people. There was a whole wall of overly large recliners, with people sipping on martinis, drinking wine, and conversing with a calmness that only the atmosphere could create.

I was eager to explore the outside. I grabbed Christopher’s hand and followed a few people that seemed like they knew where they were going. We stepped out onto an extremely large stone balcony. Every ten or so feet there was a statue; statues of griffins and full-bodied women. Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, I kissed Christopher long and hard. He took my hand again, and walked me down the stairs of the same walk-way I first saw when we began our journey. The little star lights lit us up and a soft night breeze blew through the trees, making them sing slightly beneath our quiet conversation. There had been a light rain earlier in the evening and the grass around us was bold and dewy. When we reached the end of the walk-way, we did not spin on our heels but slowly turned on them. We were facing the castle; it was in our full view. I had to catch my breath because it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Once we were back inside, Christopher left me for a few moments to use the restroom, and I walked around more. I found more rooms encased with white sheer fabric. I made my way over to the right side of the bar where the band was playing and people were loosely dancing with colorful lights flashing all around them. Dark wood thrones, with red velvet seating, graced each side of an elaborately carved fireplace. I took a seat in one of the thrones, and waited till I saw Christopher come strolling back out. His face was bright as he exclaimed, “The bathrooms even have attendants!” It felt as if this experience kept getting more sophisticated by the second, and I pondered whether or not anyone would believe me when I told them the story of how I visited a castle; furthermore, a castle in Indiana.

As the evening closed in, I wished that I never had to leave. We too, among friends, found ourselves in the over-sized recliners. Smiles spread across our faces, casually talking, but thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Everything seemed so fairy tale and perfect. For a mere second I kicked myself for not bringing a camera, but then I realized it was all about the memory that had already completely burned itself into my brain. For so many years I was convinced that I did not have a romantic bone in my body, but I felt romance shooting from every nerve ending that evening. I felt passion and wonder in ways that I never had. I possess this memory in a very deep way and completely cherish it for every way that it made me feel. In my mind, pictures could never adequately capture how vivid my emotions ran, and I challenge any camera to try.