When my now 19-year-old sister Diana was younger, I made a promise to her. She was so saddened by my departure to College, where I dormed for four years. She would sleep in my room and wait for my return during winter and summer breaks.

So I made a promise to her that when she graduated high school that we would travel somewhere just her and I. There was no specific destination in mind or itinerary to keep. Just a promise to go, see and conquer a small corner of the world.

I’m the oldest of 5 siblings and have shared many trips with my brother, Alberto. He is the second oldest of us five. We grew up together in the same household and so we’ve been to Orlando, Lake George, El Salvador, Montreal, etc. together.

Soon after I made the same promise to Andres and Daniella, currently ages 14 and 6. So I’ll be prepping for those graduation gifts for years to come.

Please don’t mistake this action for being overly generous… I selfishly want them to see more of the world so I can share that with them, hence the Pacific North West trip I’ve always wanted to do. If I do nothing else in this world but inspire my family and friends to travel and learn as much as they can about the world, I would die a happy woman.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

– Gustav Flaubert