Traveling is a very humbling experience. It’s been many years since I’ve been on a big trip, and I remember now why I love traveling so much.

It reminds me how fortunate and privileged I am to be able to go anywhere in the world. While on my adventures, I become engrossed with meeting new people — fellow travelers, locals, and transplants. Being able to chat with strangers even for fleeting, short-lived moments, are opportunities to build connections. There’s so much to learn from other people, and so much joy that can come from just a few exchanged words.

Smile, have fun attempting to speak a foreign language, and laugh a lot. These were tricks that helped me have a fabulous time in Mexico. I’ve been rediscovering myself in the process, and I’ve also been revisiting the key reasons why I love traveling: new sights, new tastes, new perspectives.