This summer I went on a family vacation to the Grand Cayman Islands, a British Caribbean territory. It was my first out of the country experience and there was so much to see and take in. Here’s what I learned during my week long stay.

1. This world that we live on is so beautiful. Whether it was parading down the sandy beaches or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, I found a much greater appreciation for the natural beauty of this world we are so lucky to call home.
2. I love food more than I ever thought was possible. The local islands cuisine was centered around fresh fish caught from the ocean and other island delicacies. Conch Fritters were the appetizer of choice and jerk chicken was the perfect pairing of spicy and sweet and the aroma could be smelled from miles away.
3. Traveling expenses add up quickly. When it comes to staying in a foreign country it is important to be prepared to spend a lot more on simple things than we would at home. Since the Cayman’s are an island mostly everything has to be imported therefore an import tax is placed on the goods.
4. I can’t wait until I turn 21. There was nothing better than laying on the beach with a drink in your hand. Yes, i promise although I am only 18 it was legal for me to drink there. If you are a sucker for frozen drinks then the Cayman’s is the place for you! Mudslides and daiquiris were my drink of choice. There was nothing better than a cold drink to cool you off from the hot sun.
5. I’m so happy I turned my phone off. In the digital age of my generation, of course I wanted to spend every waking moment sending snapchats and bragging to my friends about the awesome time I was having. But instead of being distracted by what was happening at home, I opted for a different route. Turning my phone off gave me a chance to take in the most out of every moment. After all it was a vacation and quite frankly I needed a break from everything back home.
6. See everything! My trip was mostly centered around snorkeling to the beautiful coral reefs of the Caymans! There was so many vibrantly colored fish and I even got to see a sea turtle!
7. Interact with the locals. There were many fascinating people we met while in the Caymans. One of them happened to be a local stray dog that followed us into numerous stores in town. By meeting new people you can experience others perspectives of life and their culture.
8. Wear your sunblock. Especially if you're going somewhere tropical, if you get sun burnt the first day, expect a difficult next few days of pain.
9. Think of fulfilling ways to capture your memories. Sometimes costly souvenirs only end up sitting in the back of your closet. Whether it’s something as simple as a shell or a beautifully captured picture, think of it as a token of your adventure.
10. Be sad to say goodbye and promise to come back!

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have! Don’t miss out on all the adventures that the world has to offer.