My first trip

The first trip is the one you remember for a lifetime. It's the excitement that washes over you, along with the slight anxiety of leaving the nest for the first time, of venturing into the unknown. It's the first time on a plane, the first time more than 500 km from home, and the first time you leave your pet for a week or even two. At the same time, there's the joy of arriving at your destination, stepping off the plane, feeling the warmth on your cheeks, and seeing the palm trees. It's also the first time you set foot in water other than the St. Lawrence River.

Do you remember your first trip? I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 11 years old. My parents had just arrived home and were thrilled to tell me we were leaving our cold winter behind for a destination where the winter was warm and sunny. For the first time in my life, I was saying goodbye to my little routine and heading off on an adventure! My first trip was to Holguin, Cuba, at the Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca, a very standard 3-star hotel. But since I wasn't much of a traveler yet and I was just a child, anything was fine with me, as long as I was warm and cozy, with my bottom in the sand!

During this trip, I discovered a sport that has stayed with me ever since: freediving. It was the first time I'd ever put on my mask, snorkel, and fins. Seeing such beautiful fish within my reach made me feel like a very happy little girl! What's more, the Cubans were incredibly kind. And their smiles? Wow! How could they always smile so much? I was impressed by how kind people could be. The food in Cuba, however, was very different from what I was used to: pasta, chicken, and pork were part of my diet for 14 days. I have to admit I missed my shepherd's pie a little, even though I was starting to get used to this way of life.

Since my first trip 11 years ago, I've visited nine Caribbean countries and eight US states, not to mention short trips to Canada. And I'm not done traveling yet; this is just the beginning! My dreams drive me to explore the world, all thanks to my first trip, which showed me that the world is beautiful and full of things to discover.