First of all when I was really young (less than six) I traveled to Iceland and Rhoda (Islands off Spain) since my Dad was in the Navy and we visited a couple of times. Iceland is on my list for future locations. Rhoda I was fortunate enough to return to.
But my first trip outside of the US was to Mexico. I was, I believe, eleven at the time. When my generation of the family (sister and cousins) were growing up my Great Uncle (my Mom's Uncle who was in fact younger than my Mom, don't ask) would take each of his great nieces and nephews somewhere on a trip (outside the US). For my first trip we went to Mexico. He could speak Spanish pretty well, but I was at a loss for that.
A little bit about me at the time. I had lived in Fort Lauderdale for the past seven years and did not know much about less developed countries. So on my arrival in Mexico City I was defintely taken back by the living conditions in the city. Also, there is a big difference in size and look of Mexico City and Fort Lauderdale or Miami (which was my point of reference). Oh I should probably point out that I was a finicky eater at the time (not any more as I am sure you can tell), so this would be interesting for me as well.
SO we arrived and took a cab to the hotel. I do not remember what hotel it was, but it was a nice one in the center of the city. I was anxious to get out and learn more about the city so my Uncle and I headed out and stopped at one of the street markets on the way there. I had wanted to bring back something for everyone in my immediate family (3 gifts) so I started looking right away.
I am now an engineer but I will admit that dividing by 600 was a little more difficult than I first imagined and almost payed $20 for my first gift, a ceramic bull. Fortunately my uncle was there to help (though his math was not much better at times) and I ended up buying it for $5. The haggling system that is employed in these open air markets is something that took getting used to, fotunately now I feel at home, even when I cannot speak the language (Thailand in 2002).
The first day was a short one after flying there and getting in after noon. I do not remember the food that evening, but I remember having to drink warm Coke since the ice/water could make you very sick (which I would find out later was not too much fun).
The second day we got up early and headed out to walk around the city. We left the room before 8am. We walked up and down the main street, I remember stopping below a famous statue of an angel on top of a very tall pedestal. We went to a museum or two (not a big fan at eleven, but that changes!), continued to walk around, had lunch, continued to walk, and walk and walk.
Since the city has a lot of polution we were covered in dirt and grime so headed back to the hotel to clean up before we headed out to dinner. I vividly remember walking down the hall towards our room and cursing GRAVITY to no end. I had never walked nearly that much in my entire life (to that point) and I was hurting all over. And it was only the second day! My Great Uncle (I consider him just an Uncle) still reminds me of my curse against gravity.
The next day we had rented a car and driver to take us to a small city called Tasco. This city was famous for their silver work. We spent sometime walking around an old style mexican city. Most of the streets were cobblestone and the hustle and bustle of Mexico City was a dark contrast to the laid back atmosphere here. We toured a silver shop where they made jewlrey for purchase. I bought a necklace for my Mom (you know the one a eleven year old would buy).
We stopped to have lunch at a nice hotel in the center of Tasco. It was a nice meal but I accidently had my Coke with ice. Since the hotel was not air conditioned the ice melted a decent amount while we ate.
We spent a little more time in Tasco before being driven back to Mexico City.
Our last day I do not remember anything interesting, except that evening as I was packing for our departure I started to not feel so good.
We left the next day and by the time I made it home I was convinced I had contracted montezuma's revenge. The next two days at home I was not doing well at all. Dehydrated and on a lot of antibiotics trying to recover (and not die).
So that was my first trip abroad and except for gravity and ice it was a great trip!
P.S.
I was reminded, by my Uncle who accompanied my on the trip, that I had a tantrum when I was brought Hunts Ketchup to put on the
hamburger that I demanded we eat that night. I guess I was a Heinz boy then. I did not remember that traumatic experience
until I was reminded