By Miranda

My family has what it likes to call the travel bug. Passed down from generation to generation and impossible to cure, I (unsurprisingly) inherited it. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to experience and see the world like my dad. As a child I would listen to my dad tell me stories of how he ran with the bulls in Spain, climbed the ruins of Machu Picchu, and backpacked through South America. I sat there in admiration and excitement just waiting to be old enough to go out and visit every country I possibly can. I have been fortunate enough that even though I am young I have been to many places and experienced many things.

I went to Beijing and saw beautiful temples that towered over me, learned how to bargain at a Chinese market place and how to stretch silkworm cocoons to make a silk comforter. I made my way through Southern Ireland where I danced in pubs to the enchanting ceili music played by the local musicians, and I gazed in wonder as I watched artists make detailed crystal sculptures at Waterford. When in Mexico I climbed the Mayan pyramids of Tulum and purchased unique jewelry handcrafted from local families. My travels have left me grateful, enlightened, and eager to see more.

One summer my dad decided to rent an RV and take us on a month-long cross country trip. This trip included breaking the AC unit off the roof of the RV, my mother hyperventilating as my father drove 14,000 feet to the top of Pikes Peak, and us stationed in a RV park in a questionable part of New Orleans that I swear was haunted. But… it also included horseback riding through Bryce Canyon, touring a palace made of corn, seeing the divine sunsets at the Grand Canyon, my breath being taken away by the statuesque red wood trees in California, and much more. Through the good and the bad only timeless memories were made that will soon turn into stories for me to tell my children.

I want to see and experience everything I possibly can. When starting to apply to colleges I realized that now was the time for me to take some time and explore the world further. I committed to Flagler College for fall of 2023 (where I will major in Art History and English) and got started planning my year abroad. Of course I wanted to share this milestone in my life with free-spirited people whom I love, who have an undying love for life and the world around them. That is when Sophia, then Billy decided to join me on my journey.

This trek through Europe was inspired by so many and this is only the beginning of my adventures. I want to go to Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, I want to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform the Nutcracker in Moscow, I want to see the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and I want to surf from sunrise until sunset on the beaches in Australia. Not only that but I want to share all of my experiences and stories with others. I want to inspire others to go out and see a new place even if it’s just a new coffee shop and make a new friend or take a risk. I want to paint a picture through my written words and transport readers to where I am so that they can journey with me. I hope to move people through my travel writing. Once during a discussion in class the question “what is the importance of traveling?” was asked. Many didn’t see an importance or express a desire to ever travel. Maybe my writing and storytelling can change their minds.