I've divided this page into 3 sections:
-Ballparks
-U.S. Cities/Towns
-Other Trips
BALLPARKS
Travelling to Major League ballparks is a hobby of mine; I've been to 13 total. I used to follow baseball a lot more than I do now, but I still like travelling to different cities to see where their baseball team plays. Here are my descriptions and pictures of each one, and the date I first visited them in parentheses:
1) Fenway Park (circa April 1988) - I am lucky enough to have grown up in the Boston area and to call Fenway Park my home stadium. Fenway is the oldest park in the Major Leagues, being opened in 1912. It is home to the Boston Red Sox, who just recently won their first World Series since 1918. Fenway is a perfect example of how the old ballparks had lots of quirky dimensions and other odd characteristics. The left field wall is called the "Green Monster" because of its height, and is closer to home plate than is allowed by today's baseball rules. The large Citgo sign can be seen beyond the Green Monster, and has basically become a part of Fenway Park. Fenway is all about watching and enjoying the game; there are no mascots running around shooting t-shirts into the crowd, no scoreboard games, etc. It has for the most part kept that 1912 feel (except for the ticket prices, the highest in all of baseball by far). The photo below shows an aerial view of the park.
2) Camden Yards (August 1996) - Home to the Baltimore Orioles. As far as I know this was the first of a series of ballparks that were made to look the way old ballparks did. The most notable characteristic of this park is the warehouse that can be seen beyond right field; when the park was first built all the talk was about who would be the first player to hit a homerun off of the warehouse (I believe Ken Griffey Jr. did it in a home run derby). This was the first away ballpark I ever visited, so things like leg room, comfortable seats, and having side entertainment for the fans was completely foreign to me; it seemed like even if you didn't enjoy baseball you could still have fun there, which is not always true at Fenway. Another thing about Camden Yards was that I was able to walk around in the park the morning of a night game (not where the seats are, but right outside of that). In other words Camden Yards was not only the baseball field itself but also a shopping and eating area, where anyone could visit even without a ticket. Below is a picture of Camden Yards, with the warehouse in right field.
3) Veterans Stadium (August 1998) - Former home to the Philadelphia Phillies, this might be the worst of the ballparks I've been to. To me the stadium had no character, nothing that made it special. It didn't even have real grass! It was perfectly symmetrical in the outfield, and the seats went completely around the park at the same height, so if you sat behind home plate you wouldn't see the city or anything outside the ballpark, just seats. As a plus they did have the Philly Phanatic that was all over the park between innings, riding an ORV or being assaulted by 3 or 4 of the players. The stadium was built in the 1970s, which I guess was a dark period for baseball parks in that they were built similarly to this one, BORING. I'd hate to have been there on one of the Phanatic's off-days. Below is a picture of Veterans Stadium, which was destroyed in March 2004 (see Archives page).
4) Ballpark in Arlington (August 2000) - Home to the Texas Rangers, here was the first place I saw the Red Sox play away (and they won :D). The Rangers play the majority of their home games at night due to the high temperatures and humidity they get there. It actually feels like the sun is out at night. There aren't really any unique charcteristics about this ballpark, but it was a nice place nonetheless (then again, I'm no architect either). In center field is a patch of grass where fans jump onto when a homerun is hit there, just so they can try to get a souvenir. Below is a picture of the Ballpark in Arlington.
5) Shea Stadium (July 2002) - Home to the New York Mets, this stadium to me was similar to Veterans Stadium, with 2 exceptions: 1) you can actually see outside the park if you look beyond the outfield wall from behind home plate, 2) you're in NYC. Shea Stadium was opened in the 1960s so it's pretty old compared to most other ballparks being used today. This is where the Mets beat the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series, so it was kind of a weird feeling for me to be there. I remember saying to my friends, "This is where it happened" (if you don't know about Bill Buckner, don't ask. It's probably better that you don't know). Shea has a huge right field scoreboard, and there is a giant upside-down top hat in center field, from which an apple rises if a Mets player hits a homerun. Other than that, there's not much going on there. Here is a picture of Shea Stadium.
6) Miller Park (June 2003) - Home to the Milwaukee Brewers, this was the first domed ballpark I had ever been to (actually it's a retractable ceiling; the night I was there, it was closed). That was weird, because it felt like I was in a big gymnasium or something. It was also the first park I had been to where most of the fans were actually cheering for the away team. The game I went to had an attendance of less than 10,000, which I had never seen before. Miller Park was built in the last few years, so it is very modern in all aspects. My favorite thing about it was the T.G.I. Friday's in left field. The restaurant's outside seating is on a balcony right above the outfield. Me and my friend ate there, and we watched the 2 teams warm up before the game. And if you bug the players long enough they'll throw a ball up to you, especially if you're with a little kid. There is a hot tub in right-center field, where people can relax and enjoy the game. There is Bernie the Brewer way up in the left field seats. Whenever a Brewer hits a homerun, he comes out of his little house, goes down a slide, and waves a giant Brewers flag while fireworks go off above him. Milwaukee is NOT a baseball town, and so Miller Park is extremely fan-friendly. There are lots of things going on during the game (probably to distract you from how bad the Brewers are doing), such as the sausage race (4 guys dressed up in costumes with big heads racing around foul territory) , a woman going around interviewing people in the stands (shown on the giant screen in the outfield), and t-shirts being shot into the crowd with giant launchers. All in all Miller Park is definitely a lot of fun. Below are pictures of the park and of the sausage race.
7) U.S. Cellular Field (June 2003) - Home of the Chicago White Sox, I saw the Red Sox play away for the second time in this park (they won again). In a three-day span I saw Miller Park (see above), this stadium, and Wrigley Field (see below), and outta the three I was least impressed with this ballpark. The park is fairly new, but it was kept very simple in its design. The game I went to was a weekday afternoon, so not much was going on, and the attendance was really low too. The top deck of seats there is extremely high and steep, which is where I sat. It was almost dangerous to get out of the seat I was in, because if I fell I would've quickly tumbled down many rows of seats. Like I said the design of the park is pretty simple. The only "interesting" thing are the pinwheels on top of the centerfield scoreboard, which I assume spin around and shoot fireworks when someone hits a homerun (nobody hit one when I went). The lights are kinda weird-looking too I thought, not typical stadium lights. One great thing was that hot dogs were only $1 the day I went (I think it was an every Thursday thing). Below is a picture of the field.
8) Wrigley Field (June 2003) - Home of the Chicago Cubs, I'd say besides Fenway this is the best ballpark I've been to. It is the 2nd oldest park in the majors, opening in 1914. Wrigley reminded me a lot of Fenway, and I think that's why I liked it so much. The first thing was location; like Fenway it is right in the middle of the city. New ballparks are built with traffic in mind, and so they are set off from any main roads. However when Fenway and Wrigley were built, traffic was not an issue. As a result, there is major congestion (people and cars) if you're anywhere near the ballpark in Boston or Chicago on game days. Once inside Wrigley, several things caught my attention. The crowd, like Boston's, were die-hard fans. Yelling and cursing at each other (mostly in a friendly manner) and at the players, it was great to be in that kind of atmosphere while watching the game. The outfield is also very unique at Wrigley. The entire outfield wall is covered in ivy, which is a lot better looking than the padding at other ballparks. They also don't have a scoreboard that shows pictures and instant replays, so if you missed a play you basically were screwed (unless you watched Baseball Tonight on ESPN that night). Most of the scoreboard is manual, not electronic. Even the scoreboard clock is not digital. Another amazing thing (my favorite part) was that the outfield seats are not very high, and so people were on the roofs of buildings across the street watching the game. While I watched the game I was wondering if Wrigley Field owned those buildings and charged people to go up there, because the roofs almost look like they're part of the ballpark, but I hope that's not the case. Another thing about Wrigley is that (historically) night games have been a rarity there. Its first night game wasn't until 1988. So I must admit that Wrigley is even more traditional and old-fashioned than Fenway, which I think is very important these days now that baseball is more of a business than a game. I guess it could be THE best ballpark I've been to, but I am a hometown and home team fan, so Fenway is still my #1. Below is a picture of Wrigley Field.
9) SBC Park (August 2005) - Home of the San Francisco Giants, this ballpark is probably the most beautiful that I've been to as far as scenery goes. It sits right on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, so that there is a chance that any home run hit in right field could be a "splash hit" (a fact that all the waiting boaters and canoers are well aware of). The park is also very fan-friendly: public transportation drops you right at the stadium, there are activities for kids such as the mini SBC Park, the giant Coke slide, and the speed pitch challenge, and fans are allowed to roam freely around the park, including a cement path beyond the outfield right along the bay. I did not see Barry Bonds play, but I did get to see former Red Sox player Roger Clemens pitch for the opposing Astros. All in all this is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.
10) McAfee Coliseum (August 2005) - Formerly known as the "Mausoleum" when the Oakland A's weren't so good, this park was built in the 1960s. As a result it is not too fan-friendly (i.e., distractions from the actual game such as a mascot or an activities center were not present); however it didn't seem to matter as the crowd was into the game. Public transportation will easily get you to this park from San Francisco and some other nearby neighborhoods. One downside of this place is that it is also used for football, so what should be some great scenic views beyond the outfield are blocked by seats used during football season. Overall though, it's not a bad place to catch a game, and the A's are usually in the race for a playoff spot. But if you need to choose between this place and nearby SBC Park to see a baseball game, go with the latter. Here is a picture of McAfee Coliseum.
11) Dodger Stadium (August 2005) - Yup, you guessed it, this is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, built in the 1960s. This park had a Fenway-ish feel to it, which I was surprised to find all the way in Southern California. The fans were really into the game (despite their habit of arriving late and leaving early), aided by the amazing scoreboard in left field, which displayed crystal clear pictures, and the excellent sound system coming from a huge speaker in center field. The scenery beyond the outfield was decent too, with tree-filled hills in front of the very faint outline of some mountains. Prices seemed a tiny bit steep, and the parking lot situation after the game is something that needs to be fixed immediately (plan to sit in your car for about a half hour if you don't leave before the 7th inning). Overall it was a great experience to be at this ballpark, and any ballpark fan should definitely visit this one.
12) Yankee Stadium (August 2007) - Amazingly it took me this long to get to Yankee Stadium, the closest ballpark to where I live (other than Fenway); and I visited just in time too, as the stadium will be torn down after the 2008 season. Being (I believe) the third oldest stadium in the majors, I wasn't expecting much in the way of modern concessions. However, I WAS expecting the ballpark to have more character than it did, similar to that of Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. There is nothing striking about the place other than its history, assuming you KNOW the history. A non-baseball fan could find things to love about Fenway and Wrigley without knowing anything about the game; Yankee Stadium does not exude the same feelings. The tiny color scoreboard leaves a lot to be desired, and the silly games and gimmicks (for example, the ground crew dancing to YMCA as they smooth out the infield dirt) that take place during the game simply do not fit at Yankee Stadium. One high note: the Yankee crowd was pretty brutal, the worst (or best) I've experienced at any ballpark (a man was heckled with an "A**hole" chant by a whole section because he was wearing a Red Sox hat - and the Yankees weren't even playing them that day). Fans that are into their team that much make the ballpark experience so much better. Before visiting the park I didn't understand why it was being replaced, given its great history; after visiting however, it is clear to me that it probably won't be missed.
13) PNC Park (May 2008) - After seeing that ESPN rated the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates as the #1 place to see a Major League Baseball game, I had been wanting to check it out, and finally I did. First off, Pittsburgh is a classic baseball city, right up there with Boston, New York, and Chicago. Of these four cities, Pittsburgh had the best scenery beyond the outfield wall by far, as you can see from the photo below. Inside the stadium it is very clean, and even though I sat in the top deck I felt like I was very close to the field. On the downside, there weren't many people at the game I went to, probably because the Pirates aren't very good. The hot dogs are nothing to write home about, and even the buns seemed a bit stale. Also, I had a lot of trouble finding a Pirates souvenir cup (they pretty much don't exist), something I always get at every baseball stadium I go to. The park also had lots of what I call "distractions", similar to what I saw in Milwaukee; however this can be a good thing to keep children and non-baseball fans entertained. Overall I have to disagree with ESPN, although my rating system is not nearly as extensive as theirs is. But just looking at the basics, I have been to other stadiums where the team, the hot dogs, and the view were better (e.g. SBC Park). The stadium is definitely well-maintained and is a great place to bring the kids, but it's not the only such place (e.g. Miller Park).
U.S. CITIES/TOWNS
I have visited the surrounding cities of most of the ballparks I've been to, and I've been to a couple cities without going to a ballpark. Here are some memories of the cities I've visited, and when I visited them in parentheses.
Washington, D.C. (May 1991) - I went with my 8th grade class for a weekend. We took the Amtrak down there overnight, which is roughly a 10-hour ride. This is a city I would like to go back to because I'd understand and appreciate it more today. The best part about that trip was being free from the watchful eyes of my parents for a couple days. We were divided up into a few hotel rooms, so it was me and 2 other guys (boys I guess), and we had lots of fun. The room was basically trashed from us wrestling at night. I specifically remember a pre-wrapped bagel & cream cheese that was thrown and ended up tangled up in the window curtains, where it stayed for the remainder of our trip. In the daytime we saw all the major sites with the class. A couple things I remember without looking at photos: the tombs of the unknown soldiers - I guess they have a guard there 24/7, and when they change guards there's like a little ceremony; JFK's grave - there's a flame there that doesn't go out. I forget what they call it. JFK is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in VA, which you can walk to from DC. From my interest in the Civil War I've learned that the cemetery is the site where Robert E. Lee once lived, commander of the Confederate forces. One of the North's triumphs came with burying their dead on his land, so that he could never return home again. So all the more I wanna go back now that I'm interested in the Civil War.
Baltimore, MD (August 1996) - Me and my friend Joe took the Amtrak there for a weekend. The point of the trip was to see a ballpark, which we saw twice. We didn't do too much exploring because we weren't there very long, so I don't really have anything to say here. One thing I remember though is that we were both wondering where the hell all the girls were.
Philadelphia, PA (August 1998 & May 2008) - My first time there, me, my sister Lisa, and my girlfriend at the time Carina took the Amtrak to Philly for a 4-night stay (I think 4 nights). This was a great trip because I did lots of research before we left, so I knew exactly what we were gonna see. We took a historic trolley tour of the city, and we were able to get on and off as we pleased. We visited Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. We actually stood in the room where it was signed, which was a weird feeling. We also saw the Liberty Bell, which is just a huge bell. We also went into Betsy Ross' house (she sewed together the very first American flag). Paul Revere's house (in Boston) is a lot better I thought. Everything was behind glass at Betsy's house, so it felt more like a museum. We saw the U.S. Mint, but no pictures are allowed to be taken there. I just remember huge containers full of coins. We also went to Elfreth's Alley, which is the oldest continuously-lived-on street in the country. We saw the "Rocky steps", where Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) ran up in the movie. And we went on a haunted tour of Philly, which was a night walking tour led by a spooky-looking guy. He took us to different places that are supposedly haunted and told us the story behind them. Another thing I loved was the Ben Franklin Bridge, which we had an awesome view of from our hotel room. Below are pictures of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the ghost tour guide (he didn't have red eyes in real life). My second time there was just for a day with Yvette and a couple friends. We walked through the Manayunk section, which has bohemian-type shops and restaurants. We also walked around downtown, which is very nice as well.
Dallas, TX (August 2000) - Me and my friend JP were only here one night for a couple hours, a section called Deep Ellum. We ate and then basically walked the same 3 blocks over and over and left. We got lost driving from Arlington to Dallas, so when we finally did arrive the sun had set, and I remember one of the skyscrapers being outlined in neon green. I also remember when we were walking and I was given the middle finger from someone in a car stopped at a red light, just because I waved to a girl in that car who waved to me first.
New York, NY (October 2001, April 2003, August 2007) - I guess New York is one of those places everyone should go to at least once. Personally I'm not crazy about it; it's too big and too crowded for my taste. The first time I went was with my mother and father, right after the 9/11 attacks. We went down to Ground Zero, which was all fenced off and still burning. The air changed as we got close to the site, and there was an awful odor. Some of the posted police officers there had masks over their nose and mouth. We also saw the Statue of Liberty from a distance, which is nearby. Times Square was beautiful at night; the whole thing is lights. The second time I went to NYC was for one reason only: to meet Paul van Dyk and get his autograph (see the Music section of the site). My mother and I took the Acela train down there, which is the high-speed Amtrak train. That was really nice, it's like a first-class train. We ate at Katz Deli, which is supposedly a famous place. We met PvD at the Virgin Megastore, and then made our way back to Boston. On my third visit to New York Yvette and I rode the ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which was quite educational as I didn't know much about their history. I also visited Yankee Stadium (see above) and the Guggenheim Museum. In NYC it seems like 50% of the cars that you see are cabs. They're not too expensive either, which is nice. I guess there's a need for all the cabs simply because it is such a huge city, unlike Boston where you can walk almost anywhere. Also, you really have to wait for the walk signal before you cross a street because of all the cars, and you'll see dozens of people at most corners waiting to cross. This was new to me too; in Boston you don't really have to wait for the walk signal because cars stop coming after a while (they'll even stop for pedestrians if they have a green light).
Milwaukee, WI (June 2003) - I was in Milwaukee with JP for one day so I didn't see too much. At night we went to a baseball game (see above). During the day we visited the Miller Brewing Company, which was quite interesting (even for someone who doesn't drink). I guess the best part of the tour is that they give you 3 free glasses of beer, but they also show you the giant kettles where the beer is cooking, and a tremendously huge warehouse filled with cases of beer.
Chicago, IL (June 2003, etc.) - Of all the cities that I have visited so far, Chicago is one of my favorites; I feel like I could live there if I had to. The Chicago River flows right through the city, which is a very nice touch; you can walk and see boats motoring by below you. The original Pizzeria Uno is in Chicago. It takes them about an hour to make a pizza because they still use the orginal oven from when it opened back in the 1940s. Part of Chicago's public transportation is an extensive elevated subway system, and the tracks have that old-fashioned look about them. The support beams are right in the middle of the street, and as you're walking or driving down the street you can see and hear the trains above you rumbling through the city. Chicago also has one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Sears Tower. At the top of the tower is an observatory, where you can pretty much see everything within the surrounding area. In nearby Brookfield is the Brookfield Zoo, supposedly one of the best zoos in the world (certainly better than the one I live near, the Stoneham Zoo, which should be shut down immediately). Navy Pier is very nice on a summer day, which is right along Lake Michigan. Filled with shops, restaurants, and even a gigantic ferris wheel, I'm sure the locals would call it a tourist trap, but they can't deny it's fun and lively atmosphere. I like Chicago because it is pretty big, but not nearly as crowded as New York is. Despite its size it manages to give off a certain coziness, similar to Boston. Since my girlfriend's family lives near Chicago I have been there a few times now, and I'm sure I will be visiting this city quite often in the future.
San Francisco, CA (August 2005) - This is definitely one of my favorite cities that I've visited so far; my only hesitation is the potential for earthquakes. For a west coast city, San Francisco is in a class of its own as far as history goes. You can ride a world-famous cable car, drive down Lombard St. (known as "the crookedest street in the world"), visit what used to be Alcatraz penitentiary, drive (or walk) across the Golden Gate Bridge, and see sea lions bask in the sun at Pier 39. The hills are really as steep as everyone says; be prepared for some serious power-walking. Luckily, public transportation is abundant, literally around every corner. Some added bonuses for me were the nightclub known as 1015, the best club I've ever been to, the reliable 60-degree temperatures, and the beautiful SBC Park (see above). Here is a picture of Alcatraz Island.
Los Angeles, CA (August 2005) - I believe this is the second largest city in the U.S., and once you drive on any highway here you will understand what that means. There are WAY WAY too many cars in L.A. There are lots of 5-lane highways all filled with cars that are usually crawling. Two days of this was more than enough for me. Apparently everyone here owns a car (or three), which explains the disgusting smog that hovers over the city. While I was here I went on a sightseeing tour of L.A. and it's surrounding neighborhoods, which was very nice. I literally was driven up to the front doors of many celebrities' homes. The tour also stopped at Grauman's Chinese Theater, where there are handprints and footprints of Hollywood celebrities from the past and present, as well as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I also visited Universal Studios, which was my first such experience since being at Disney World back in 1990. Though not blown away, it was nice to see how some of the movies were made, and most of the attractions were worth waiting in line for. Overall I probably would not visit L.A. again because of the traffic. I'd go nuts spending so much of my day in a car.
Pittsburgh, PA (May 2008) - Located at the junction of three rivers, Pittsburgh could be called the city of bridges, as it has over 400 of them. However, this city did not impress me, mostly because it was not too tourist-friendly. A lot of the city was under construction (temporarily I know), which made it more difficult to get around. The city's attractions are few and far between, but the highlights for me included: the Fountain at Bessemer Court, which shoots water into the air in synchronization to music; the Inclines, which are 19th century cable cars that travel up the side of Mount Washington, offering spectacular views of the city; Phipps Conservatory, which is an indoor/outdoor garden showcasing hundreds of species of plant and tree life; and PNC Park (see above). Unlike other cities, Pittsburgh's place on the historical map is in blue collar work, namely the steel industry. Though important to the American economy, it is not the most interesting place to visit.
Gettysburg, PA (May 2008) - I really enjoyed visiting Gettysburg and I would definitely return if I get the chance. Being the site of the bloodiest three days in American history, obviously the theme is the Civil War. However I don't think you need to be interested in the Civil War to enjoy this quaint town. There are lots of shops and restaurants all within walking distance of each other. Cozy bed-and-breakfast inns are plentiful as well. The one Yvette and I stayed at, the Gettystown Inn, is part of the Dobbin House Tavern, the oldest home in town, built in 1776. Of course if you are into history, there are few better places than Gettysburg. We visited two museums, the Hall of Presidents and the American Civil War Museum, both of which were very good. We also toured the battlefield with a private guide, which was extremely informative. However you don't even need to spend any money to experience the history of the town: bullet holes can be seen in the sides of certain buildings; throughout the town there are also plaques describing what happened at that particular location; you are sure to see people in period clothing walking the streets; even browsing in the shops reveals more history than you'd expect. And of course you can tour the battlefield for free by obtaining a map from the all new visitor center. The one downside to a place like this is the lack of nightlife. Most of the shops and museums are closed by 6pm, so other than eating out you have to get a bit creative to keep busy. We spent two nights there and got through them ok, with no television in our room! The first night we went to the Majestic Theater and the next night we went on a ghost tour. Overall a great place to visit and I highly recommend stopping if you're in the area.
OTHER TRIPS
Not every trip I've taken has been to a ballpark or a U.S. city/town. Here are the other places I've been.
Disney World (June 1990) - Orlando, FL. This was my first time on an airplane, and my first major trip other than going to NH or ME. I was 12 at the time, and I don't remember being blown away by Disney World. I went with my mother, father, and sister, and also Lou and his family (who we're good friends with). We saw Epcot Center, MGM Studios, and Magic Kingdom. I'm not even really curious to see how much it has changed since I've been there. There were some interesting things though, like the mini countries in Epcot, the laser show at night in Epcot, and the Indiana Jones show (I think in MGM Studios). I was just too old for most of Magic Kingdom, and the stuff I wasn't too old for I was scared to go on, like Space Mountain and Wild Thunder Mountain.
The Bahamas (June 2002) - This was my first time outside of the U.S. I had always wanted to go to the Caribbean cuz it always looked so nice and peaceful on tv. So I went with my sister and two friends, Danny and Louis. It was my first time seeing blue water, and I was just amazed. I woke up to the most incredible view every morning I was there. And the water was warm too, so I actually didn't mind going in, unlike here where it takes me 25-30 minutes to get used to the water. We were in the casino every night, and we all came out on the plus side at the end of the trip. Things were more expensive down there than they are here. We stayed right near a Sbarro, and a whole pizza would have been like $35. Danny and Louis had their own room, which was totally destroyed from them fighting each other (see Pictures page). We also went to a club there one of the nights, called Bahama Boom. It was probably the most fun I ever had at a club, for 2 reasons: 1) they played good music, unlike clubs in Boston; 2) it wasn't overcrowded with assholes, like clubs in Boston are. Our final night there we sat on the beach talking and laughing, and nobody was around us so it was great. I could've spent one more day there, which is unusual for me; usually on trips when it's time to leave I'm ready to go. When I left I said I could definitely go back there, but I think it would be even better with a girl. I mean it's fun with friends, but it can also be a very romantic place if you're with that special someone.
Cancun, Mexico (February 2005) - This was the first time I went away in the winter, and it was definitely nice to get away from the cold snowy weather for a few days. Now I can officially say that I've gone swimming in February. I went to Cancun with my parents, my uncle, and my aunt. I didn't really do anything too exciting except enjoy the weather. We also went to Playa del Carmen one afternoon, which is a town about an hour away from Cancun. The streets there are lined with shops and restaurants, and all the salespeople are very eager to make a sale. This trip was also my second time being outside the U.S., and I was surprised how quickly Spanish came back to me. I have to admit that the worst part of this trip was the company I was with; I definitely would have enjoyed myself more if I wasn't forced to be with my parents 24/7. But nonetheless it was a nice little getaway, and now after two trips I can safely say that the Caribbean is probably my favorite vacation spot.
