When I was younger and would tell my friends that we were going to Mexico for Christmas, they would say things like, "Oh that's not fair! I'm so jealous!" But I was always quick to reassure them that it really wasn't that cool. We wouldn't be staying at a resort next to a beach, where I'd lounge around in a swimming suit, drinking (virgin) margaritas and reading my book all day. We'd be staying in the middle of a dusty city, with potholes for roads and hot or cold (depending

When I was 17 and had just graduated from high school, I got to go on an amazing 3 week trip to Europe with my AP European History teacher and lots of other kids from school. I was so thrilled! Several of my close friends were coming too and the itinerary included: England ​France Switzerland Italy Greece What an amazing trip, right?! Yes, it should have been. The day finally came and I couldn't wait to get on the plane and get out of Utah. I'd been to Mexico every year (but

Welcome to Operation Amigos! What does that even mean, you ask? It means I'm on a mission that is dear to my heart. And to explain it, I need to start here: I love to travel. It's just about my favorite thing to do. Thinking about an upcoming trip, to anywhere, makes my stomach flutter and my heart beat faster. Planning a trip makes me feel like a six-year-old anticipating her own over-the-top birthday party. Like a kid awake at four o'clock on Christmas morning, just waiting