Wan·der·lust: a strong desire to travel, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary.

During Winter Break, my sister, her husband and I traveled to Los Cabos, Mexico to celebrate Christmas and the holidays. The sky was dark, it was around 6 o’clock a.m. when we left the house on Dec. 23, 2021, to go to the Cross Border Express.  

The flight was approximately two hours long. As we approached our destination, the view from the window was spectacular. Blue and clear bodies of water, green and luscious trees, as well as brown and tall mountains laid in front of me.

When we hopped off the plane, we were greeted by the hot and humid weather; it was a shift from the chilly climate back in San Diego. After leaving our bags at the hotel, we walked around the city and familiarized ourselves with it—visiting local restaurants and the nearby beach. 

In the next few days, we had a similar experience and agenda as the day before. We went to various food places and enjoyed authentic Mexican food. We went to the local store to purchase souvenirs such as refrigerator magnets, keychains and a Starbucks “Been There Series” mug. 

For me, the highlight of the trip was visiting the infamous “El Arco de Cabo San Lucas” or The Arch of Cabo San Lucas—a signature landmark of the city. This tourist spot showcased the distinctive rock formation located at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas. We took a boat ride from the shore to get a closer look at the arch. The area was filled with colorfully-designed restaurants and tourists from all over the world. 

We spent the entire afternoon swimming in the ocean and relaxing on the sand. More importantly, traveling to Los Cabos, Mexico was a form of self-care where we were able to revitalize ourselves; it was like a unique escape from our demanding daily lives. 

In fact, it has been proven that traveling relieves stress and improves health. In an article published by Forbes, Turkish-American television personality, cardiothoracic surgeon, university professor and author Mehmet Cengiz Öz, known professionally as Dr. Oz listed several benefits of traveling:

• “Taking vacations can lower men’s risk of death by 21 percent and mortality from cardiovascular disease by 32 percent.
• Among women, a lack of vacation is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and death from heart disease.
• Women who go on trips more frequently are less likely to become tense, depressed or tired and are happier with their marriages.
• Vacationing improves your mood and reduces stress. It also can temporarily help boost productivity.
• People who travel more frequently are more satisfied with their physical health and well-being.
• Vacationing can increase creativity.”

Traveling allows for people to become disconnected from their day-to-day routine and experience new surroundings that can reset the body and mind. Beyond that, traveling bolsters our understanding of other cultures and practices apart from our own. 

Not only was the trip rejuvenating, but it also provided me the opportunity to practice my Spanish listening and speaking abilities. Sometimes, I served as an interpreter for my sister and brother-in-law when understanding the signs and menu items or when communicating with the locals. I felt grateful because I was able to put into practice the lessons learned from my International Baccalaureate Spanish class.

Overall, traveling is fun yet beneficial. If given the opportunity, Bonita Vista High students, staff and community members should take advantage of traveling, exploring, wandering around and appreciating new places and cultures. Traveling serves as an escape from everyday life and allows us to experience new discoveries where our wanderlust can be satisfied.