Julia DiFiori
Theme Editor
For students around the globe, the words “spring break” prompt daydreams of relaxing on picturesque beaches and embarking on new adventures. Over this past spring break, Costa sophomore Penny Walsh traveled with her family to Cancún, Mexico to do just that.
Penny flew four hours with her parents, Wendy and Peter, and her two younger brothers, Simon and Spencer, to reach Mexico. This was the first time the Walsh family out of the country.
“Because it was actually our first time leaving the United States, it was really exciting,” Walsh said. “My dad is already planning a trip to Canada and I’m looking forward to it.”
While in Mexico, the Walshes enjoyed the clear waters of Cancún by water skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving and lounging on the beach.
“For several years my family and I have been waterskiing and wake boarding in Ohio in the summers, so it was a really awesome experience to try it out in another atmosphere,” Walsh said.
In addition to enjoying the Cancún shorelines, the Walsh family took time to learn new things about Mexican culture and customs.
“The beach was great for relaxing, and after hanging out there we could look around and explore a bit,” Walsh said. “We got to experience different food every night from all over the world, and we learned that Cancún is very different from Manhattan Beach.”
One highlight of the Walshes’ trip was spending a day at Tulum, a beach in Cancún where ancient Mayan ruins still stand today. Visitors can learn about the history of this location while taking in the breathtaking views.
“I really enjoyed hiking through the ruins,” Walsh said. “Between the scenery and the historical significance of the site, it was simply beautiful.”
While driving to the ruins in Tulum, the Walshes passed through many traditional Mexican neighborhoods and cities. Each community showcased a variety of Mexican architecture, scenery, and communities that differs from what is seen in Manhattan Beach.
“Seeing the different lifestyles and situations in Cancún opened my eyes to new things, and the less-fortunate areas showed me just how lucky we all are to live in Manhattan Beach,” Walsh said. “I think that’s an important thing we all need to keep in mind.”
Although this was their first time leaving the United States to test the crystal waters of Cancún, the Walshes plan to revisit the city in the future to continue enjoying the nature and delving into the culture.
“The whole time I was there it was a wonderful experience, so I will definitely go back to Cancún again as well as more places around the world,” Walsh said. “While there I learned how much I enjoy travelling and I hope to do it more throughout my life.”
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