Out of my comfort zone into paradise.

by Yesenia Barrientos (Mexico)

A leap into the unknown Mexico

When it came to doing something or going somewhere impulsively, I was not your person. Until I decided to do something different and out of my comfort zone, and that’s how I realized that those actions are the most rewarding of all. It all started when a friend asked me to go to Cancun out of the blue and to be honest I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go -I was going through a rough page- but something inside me told me to take the leap; and so I did. The moment we got there everything changed, I know that when you travel you feel free and alive but this time it felt as if the weight was taken off my shoulders. It only took the smell of the sea to erase all of my worries and anxieties. The smell of the sea cannot be compared with anything you’ve ever known. It is so refreshing and gives you the feeling that whatever happened will be okay and the sounds there’s nothing like it, the birds and the waves combined is so relaxing and calming that you feel as if nothing is impossible. The first day of the trip we made plans to stay in the hotel and just enjoy the beautiful view and through the day without even knowing my mood was already different, I was feeling as if my life was perfect; and that’s what traveling do to you, it just erase everything else making you feel liberated. My friend and I were welcomed with big smiles and lovely people and that always makes a difference where ever you go. We had an amazing time; drinking piña coladas, swimming in the pool and… feeling breathless. The next morning, for the first time in a long time I woke up early, and I convinced my friend of going on a walk. It was the best and worst decision we made, it was the worst because unfortunately I lost my phone while walking through out kilometers of seashore: as you can imagine it was the worst feeling ever that turned out be a good thing because instead of posting photos and going through my social media I enjoyed every single minute. Later that same day we decided to spend the day on the beach and let me tell you something, the ocean is so underrated in so many ways. I swam for a little and found myself pass all the turmoil of people; suddenly it was just me, the waves and my mind. I stood there floating for at least ten minutes and I made myself a promise; that no matter what happened I was going to face all of my fears, one of the being snorkeling and sharks. And guess what, that´s exactly what I did two days later. A day before our last we decided to go to Isla Mujeres for a tour, and it was nothing like we expected it to be, for starters we got into a boat were you could see the beautiful ocean and the isles that surrounded Cancun as the boat sailed. Once we got there we got a VIP pass which was definitely worth it because you have get bar and buffet which ended up being very helpful because after all the activity and sun you get hungry and thirsty as well as dehydrated, but there the most beautiful experience was being able to swim with all the animals that were there and facing my fears. There we got the opportunity to swim with dolphins, manatees and yes… sharks; the sharks were harmless but nonetheless scary and obviously I got the chance to go snorkeling which was an experience I will never forget. This trip made me see that there is a world that I have not experienced yet and that I am ready to have as many adventures as I can. And as a person that has anxiety and depression going with the flow doesn’t happen often or more like didn’t but Cancun helped me reflect on what traveling can do and it definitely helps us be outside our heads and live the moment because you never know what can happen.