​Allie Mathis – Essay

​Allie Mathis – Alabama
Nomination & Photography by Maggie Mathis
​Issue 64 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Hi, my name is Allie Mathis and I am a member of Inspiring Teens issue 64.  I would like to discuss traveling and the benefits you receive.  It's very easy to get wrapped up in life.  We are involved in school, sports, work, church, family and friend activities.  With all the excitement that comes with that it's good to take a break and get away.  Some people enjoy "staycations" but I prefer to travel around the world.  In my experience traveling offers not only relaxation but a chance to meet new people and experience different cultures.  Once you visit other countries it starts to give you different perspectives on your life.  We enjoy taking cruises.  This gives our family the opportunity to not only relax but everything is provided for us.  There's no social media, television and absolutely no drama.  We get to visit many different countries and we never get bored.  Recently we traveled to the Dominican Republic.  Here we took an open air van and traveled up the mountainside of the DR.  I was able to see for myself the poverty of this country.  Cows were walking down the roads and were starved.  You could see their rib cages.  Children were not in school but rather running down the roads begging for money.  As we rode to our destination I realized how blessed I am to live in a country that is not like this.  We went zip lining and also had lunch made by several of the local people.  They were so kind and told us different stories.  When I asked about the chickens running around one of the men commented, " they are not pets here, look at what you're eating."  I chuckled and realized I was eating one of those chickens.  They also pulled fruit right out of the trees and handed it to my family to eat.  Everything there was fresh.  I enjoyed experiencing the good and seeing the not so good there.  We also went to Puerto Rico.  This is one of the most beautiful and historic places.  We were able to walk to one of the forts there, Fortaleza de San Felipe.  By this fort was the passage that Christopher Columbus sailed through as well as Ponce DeLeon.  It was so interesting to see places that I've only ever read about.  While walking to the fort I also got to see what they call the "ghetto."  This part of town was very run down and poor.  The living conditions were extremely bad and made me appreciate where I live.  I would never have seen this if I did not get out and walk around.  If you travel, experience everything each place has to offer.  If you don't feel comfortable leaving the country there are plenty of places in the United States to visit.  It is all about "getting away" and relaxing.  I have found by doing this it not only clears my mind and gets me ready to tackle the next weeks of my life but it also has made me appreciate what I have.   I have met some pretty incredible people that I still keep in touch with today.  You never know who you might meet or things you might discover.  I will always encourage anyone I meet to at least take one week a year to get away.  I intend to continue to travel throughout my life.  I plan to enjoy every moment I have and appreciate all cultures around me.  
 

click here to nominate an inspiring teen