28 February 2014
Word Count: 395
Four Corners by Amitav Ghosh - paraphrase Although two lines intersecting on a map, consequently creating four state borders meeting at a center point may seem rather insignificant, many travelers find this spot interesting. Hundreds of tourists travel to this site every year, many in expensive RV’s. Some come in their regular cars, to stop by on a nice day. The RV drivers are typically excellent tourists with an entire summer trip planned out, stopping at as many sight seeing places as they can. Where the four corners meet is not very exciting. It is more about what it signifies. This is the only place in the entire United States where four of the states meet a a single point. Unlike visiting the Statue of Liberty or something monumental, the four corners would probably not even be noticed if it was not for the large parking lot filled with RVs and cars of every type. To make this site more decorative, there is a state flag at each corner of the four states. A United States flag is in the center, raised higher than the others, probably to signify that the states are indeed united. The Native American Indians that use to roam this land freely are no longer present, but to make the site seem more historic, “indian” jewelry stands and Navajo bread can be purchased from the local people. The U.S. Army is mostly responsible for the Navajo’s absence, “[forcing] them to march to an experimental camp” in attempt to get them off the land until they could think of something else to do with them (Ghosh). Everyone that visits this point has to take some sort of a creative picture to prove they actually went. Many poses are repeated, as there is not much you can do with four lines intersecting on a cement platform. People from all ages wait to take there turn, each being inspired from a previous tourist being photographed. Some choose to be