It was complete and utter madness. With all the water and paste and shouting and screaming, it looked just a bit like the end of the world, except that everyone was in a much better mood than I'd imagine they'd be in for the end of the world.

At first the idea of a tour might seem appealing. But what your tour company won't tell you is that you can get yourself to Teotihuacán for mere dollars instead of upwards of US$100. And they probably won't mention that you won't just be going to Teotihuacán - there'll be a few required stops at tourist traps and chotsky stands along the way too, of course.

Centuries of wealthy Peruvian families sent their daughters off to the Monasterio, where they could rest assured they wouldn't have to do any pesky work. Slowly but surely, the place began to develop a reputation. (The lavish parties the sisters kept throwing didn't help matters.)

Remember, not everyone in Mexico City visits Teotihuacan each day. Not everyone in Ecuador has sailed to the Galapagos Islands in their lifetime. Just like not everyone in the US saw the Grand Canyon during their last summer vacation. So once you've exhausted the tourists sites, what other things can you do to experience life in another country?

Stepping off the plane, my first few steps will feel so light, so airy because everything turned out alright. If we've arrived at our travel destination, I'll quickly lose myself in the intoxication that is travel. I'll soak up as much of the place that we're in, breathing it in, feeling it in every ounce of my soul.