Although I've always been an environmentally conscious person, it wasn't until 2020 that I realized my passion for traveling. When the COVID-19 epidemic hit and my job switched to remote work, I decided that quarantining at my mom's place in Puerto Rico was a better option for me versus being stuck in my shared apartment in Florida. I was in a transitional stage between leaving a long-term relationship, moving into a new place, and just feeling overwhelmed with everything as I navigated through my post-graduate career. I figured that some time back in my motherland reconnecting with nature and my culture would be the perfect way to isolate myself.
Graciously, I was able to spend six weeks bonding with my mom, with nature, and embracing my cultural roots. At the time, guidelines stated that masks were only required indoors and that social distancing was encouraged. Because I was on the non-touristy part of the west coast of La Isla Del Encanto, the day-to-day of most people hadn't changed much besides wearing masks. I spent my days working outside on the patio enjoying the hummingbirds, butterflies, and other small creatures. After work and on my weekends, I explored isolated beaches, waterfalls, and other splendid natural wonders. It was rare that I saw more than a handful of people in the distance.
Although I had visited Puerto Rico a few times before and lived there as an infant, I didn't really know the island. It wasn't until I took the time to try and see as much of it as possible that I discovered just how vast this little piece of land is. Only 5-10 minutes away from beaches I was already familiar with, I found ruins from a Spanish fortress (pictured left) and other historical remnants that I had never known about. By the end of my trip, I had built a solid foundation of knowledge about not only the island but also things to look for on my next trip beyond the usual tourist traps. I was lucky enough I stayed with family so my only real expenses during this trip were my rental car, gas, and food. None of the places I visited had an admission fee of over $10, and most didn't have one at all. Once I got back to Florida, I couldn't help but wonder- how many other free or low-cost activities could I plan for budget travel?
That December, I decided to apply for a U.S. Passport as a reward for finishing my MBA
and set a goal to visit 5 countries in the next 5 years. My passport arrived in February, 2021 and a new era of my life began.
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