Caribbean

The first time I traveled internationally, I was five. My dad was running the largest hotel in the Caribbean at the time: the Grand Hotel on Paradise Island, Bahamas. We lived at the hotel, and when our father was working, we were left to be entertained by our Bahamian babysitter. Our favorite activity, besides resort exploration, was taking the ferry over to Nassau to shop at the straw markets. There, we were exposed to typical tourist souvenirs, all centered around Bahamian culture. Straw hats, fans, Bahamian banners, stickers, musical instruments-if we saw it and wanted it, we got it. 

The Bahamas is a very special place for me, it’s where I learned to swim. It’s where I first picked up a tennis racquet. My first experience with local, cultural cuisine, included grouper fish, conch, fried plantains, and watching our favorite dessert, Bananas Foster, prepared table side for us, nightly.  

I will have those memories forever, and more importantly, this set my love for International travel, exploration, and cultural discovery. I can still hear the steel drum band playing in the lobby, in my heart, in my mind, I can return and be there, whenever I choose…