Two things really stand out about our travel adventures in 2011 - the first is that we had so many, and the second is that we didn't really write about them at all. In total, last year we visited 14 countries. Yup, you read that correctly: 14 countries.

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.

After a little siesta, we all regrouped in the hotel lobby, ready to seek out some dinner. We could hear through the open windows that the festivities of the afternoon had only intensified, and we were excited to see what was going on outside.

A few weeks ago, on our second trip to Mexico City, Tim and I had the pleasure of exploring Teotihuacán with my sister and her husband. As home to the third largest pyramid in the world (the Pyramid of the Sun), the archaeological site didn't disappoint.

Happening across people dancing together in the street, seeing shooting stars over the ocean, being invited to share tea with the caretaker of an ancient church: these moments of random happiness can't be searched for and discovered with a guidebook.