How a Trip to Mexico Changed My Life

Oh, Mexico, you beauty.

Mexico is such an amazing country. Whether it's the scenery, the culture, or the people, Mexico has all the good that you could ask for. When I left for Mexico, I didn't have a clue that this vacation would be so much more than a relaxing getaway from the cold Michigan winters. This trip proved to be eye opening in such a way that the experience will stay with me lifelong.

I stayed in Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carmen. It was an amazing resort on the beach. We stayed in such a royal place that it would have been impossible to explore the REAL Mexico. But, as we had 6 days at the resort, we went out to explore the local side of the town. When we were driving through the roads, it reminded me of my home country, India. Little houses with terraces, water tanks on the road, and warm weather, that is all we saw on our entire journey. With this nostalgia also came an agonizing realization — poverty was widespread. When we were constantly driving along the road, I now started comparing their lifestyle to mine. All the tourists that come to Mexico mostly only see the glamorous side that it offers. Those who seek to explore the local communities, I promise, will never see Mexico the same way. I'm purely talking through my experience.

Seeing two different sides of this struggling yet a beautiful country taught me a number of lessons.

1. It's all in the perspective.

You will imagine a particular place or person the way you see them first. If you don't explore all the perspectives of the thing that you're looking at, you won't be able to understand it completely. That will eventually lead to false judgments.

2. Never judge a book by its cover.

I know that we all have heard/read this a lot, but we never believe it to be true until we actually experience it. I did experience it, and it completely changed the way I looked at Mexico from day I landed to the day I left the country. Again, it connects back to my first point — it's all in the perspective. At first, I believed Mexico to be an exotic destination, but after exploring the rural side, I knew that I was wrong.

3. Be grateful for what you have.

I'll be honest, I always want more. I never appreciate what I already have in life. Even though I come from a developing country, it took a few visits to my home country after living in the US and also one visit to a new country to realize this. I have always wanted a different life, to be a different person than I am, and to be better in every way possible. But, when I look through other people's perspective, they're wishing the same too. Even though I'm living in a nice, comfortable home, I want more - to travel, to have a nice home by the beach, and other such luxuries. On the other hand, there are people in Africa, Central America, Asia that are struggling to even have food every single day! Thousands of people don't have a home, neither do they have clean water to drink. We keep seeking the luxuries of life, and ignore the fact that there are so many people out there who lack the basic necessities. Help them before helping yourself.

4. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly.

This is one of the most important lessons I learnt from the waiters at the resort. Even though these minimum wage workers get only about 80 pesos a day, they work extremely hard. All the waiters and the servants pampered all the guests without expecting anything in return. I think that quality is something we all could learn from. Their diligent selves also got them some really worthy tips from the guests. All the workers taught me do good to others while not expecting anything in return, which will eventually lead to fulfilling rewards for your deeds in the future.

Travel truly changes you. It makes you reconsider the ideals that you've been living by. Not only did this experience taught me some incredible life lessons, but it also left me with the need to explore more of the beautiful people, places, and cultures around the world. Until next time, Mexico.