Mexico Spring Break

March 2024

When most people say they're going to Mexico for spring break, it conjures up the mental image of wild parties on the beach, drinking too much tequila. However, that was certainly not the trip that I took! I spend my spring breaks with my mom and our goal is usually to find a nice place with good snacks where we can sit and read for hours. This year, we decided that place would be on a cruise ship to Mexico. We were able to catch some sun (arguably a little too much since I got a sunburn on day 2), read our books (I made it through all 4 that I packed), and even swim with dolphins!

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to swim with dolphins. However, I've been disappointed to learn that a lot of dolphin experiences don't actually involve much swimming anymore. Photo ops and feeding them a fish or watching them perform tricks are what most places seem to be transitioning toward. So, when I saw the description of the excursion that included a belly ride from the dolphins, I was sold! My mom took a little more convincing, but she agreed, and I signed us up.

What an unforgettable experience it was! I always knew dolphins are strong, being mostly muscle under their sleek rubbery exterior, but I wasn't fully prepared for just how fast it would be to ride them. My advice to anyone else who gets this opportunity is to wear a one-piece swimsuit.

We also got to give them hugs and kisses and watch a show from in the pool. They are such powerful creatures; they were able to jump so high in the air and splash us all as we watched in awe and delight.

We also made a stop in Cabo San Lucas and took the touristy glass bottom boat tour to see the Pacific Window, Cabo Arch, and other famous rock formations. We also got to stroll on the white sand beach, stick our toes in the warm ocean water, and of course ate an obligatory taco in Mexico.

What a relaxing spring break before the final quarter of grad school.