Before I allow this amazing experience to grow any further in my memory, I wanted to share the details of my recent adventure with you.

Until June 18th, 2016, my passport was completely naked. There was absolutely no character and no way to affirm that I had crossed any great boarders in my 18 years. Finally, a stamp welcoming me into Punta Cana, Dominican Republic would be my little passport's first ink. This stamp carried so much significance for me. Even though I was only flying 3,340 miles from home, I was introduced to my first cure for the wanderlust I possess- that undeniable desire to travel, to exist in a place I've never been.

This trip was organized through a company called S-Trip. I highly recommend checking them out if your friends or other students from your school are interested in going on a senior Spring Break or Grad trip. While different trips may vary in costs, our trip (7 days & 7 nights at an all inclusive resort, planned events, excursions and airfare from LAX-Punta Cana) was relatively affordable for an international trip, costing us less than $2,000. Not to mention that what I got out of it (new friends, amazing memories, cultural immersion) was priceless.

Now, for the part you've been waiting for..

Day 1 (June 18th): Travel...LAX -> Punta Cana

Thoughts- As handwritten on the back of one of the graduation envelopes I kept with me as a reminder that I needed to write "Thank you" cards for graduation gifts:

"Today, I embark on a journey taking me to a city that is far beyond any boundary I've ever crossed. I head South East of California to the Dominican Republic...I have graduated and earned my long awaited independence, and now I take it for a test run. Whatever decisions I make, I have to deal with the outcome. Next fall I will be thousands of miles away from home and everything I've known for the past 18 years. Next fall, I will have to be responsible on a level I've never been on before. The DR, a test run, my coming of age experience if you will, is the entrance to my new found adulthood. No matter how much I wish it, I can not go back to being my old, High School self. It's a good and bad thing.

Graduation day went by so fast but I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment of it. My cheeks were sore from genuinely smiling so much; I woke up with my calfs cramping the next day due to a mixture of standing for too long and wearing heels that were entirely too high for me. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have wanted the day to have turned out any differently. From the nerves, to the joy, to the stress.

This day was similar in stress level however, it's one of the first of many of the real life tests I will encounter. How well I am able to perform under pressure. How much I have taken/observed from my parents and how well I am able to apply it to my own life situations.

I had always dreamt of growing up, traveling to far away places, discovering each new place and within them, their hidden beauties. That day has finally come. My passport is ready and waiting for the stamp to impress its fresh ink on its anxious and crisp pages."

Day 2: Blau resort, beach, lay of the land

After walking into a hut resembling, open aired airport, we were greeted by a stray cat, live calypso music and some overeager workers to help us with our luggage. We were led to a bus that drove us to our resort. Along the way, you can catch glimpses of the Dominican Republic countryside between the trees that lined the rocky road. Tall sticks and thick fabrics were somehow strung up sturdy enough to provide shelter to families. You might have seen children walking down roads in the more suburban areas, carrying rods or other sticks as their playthings on documentaries, but it never really hits you until you actually see these scenes in person. It definitely is a different way of life on this island compared to the U.S.; it's peaceful and slow-paced no matter the state of the people living there. I was even dumbstruck that the beaches are EXACTLY like how every post card and picture I've ever seen captures them to be.

Our first stop was the beach, where our toes were greeted by fine white sand and warm water; something different for our California native bodies. At night, we packed Coco Bongo and found ourselves in the middle of a Vegas-like show, where we danced all night till we couldn't dance any more.

Day 3: Volunteering, Graffiti party

New friends from Huntington Beach and the DR with the community center in progress behind us.

In the day, a handful of other students and I ventured off the resort to participate in the volunteering excursion that was offered. S-trip partners with a really amazing organization called NWC and through one of their "CLOUD" projects, we helped build a community center for the people of San Jose de Ocoa. As soon as the children of the neighborhood realized that there were visitors from America nearby, they came to us in swarms. This is where my (very rough) four years of Spanish in High School began to show it's value on this trip. One little girl in particular, named Alisa, came to join our company. She immediately took the bag I carried full of tools with one hand, and grabbed my hand with her other. We walked hand-in-hand the rest of the way, talking about sports, famous people, favorites, and as much as I could translate to her about my far away land. I don't think I would have gotten as much fulfillment out of this trip as I did, if I hadn't participated in this excursion.

At night, DJ Lowkey brought the party on the beach. Everyone was given T-shirts and eventually sprayed/drenched in neon colored paint...in places you never knew paint could reach.

Day 4: Zipline, Pool, USA party

Above the treetops, on the longest line.

Nearly our entire group from Redondo embarked on the zipline excursion. A completely open tour jeep took us to Salvation De Higuey where we were suited up and ready to fly through the trees on 13 different lines, all with breathtaking views. A moment, gone way too fast. Although we almost got to return sooner than we thought because one of our friends had conveniently forgotten his fannypack (again) which had his passport and money inside. But our hilarious and super speedy tour guide jumped off the jeep and ran back to retrieve it.

Day 5: Pool day, Water aerobics

A very laid back day to say the least. A catamaran cruise was offered but, our wallets couldn't take it anymore. The most rigorous things we had participated in all day were water aerobics, led by the activities leaders of the resort, soaking up the island sun and lifting our virgin mixed drinks to our lips. Rough day.

Day 6: Sugar plantation, Cigar factory, Macao beach, Imagine

Yet another open jeep had taken us on this excursion as well, but with a tour guide that failed to meet the humor standards of our previous one. We took the same main road we were on before, but pulled off to a sugar cane plantation. The original methods for obtaining sugar cane juice were displayed as two cattle walked in a circle, initiating cylinders to rotate and press the sugar can root. Eventually, the newer and improved method was shown to us by a loud and powerful machine and we were all able to sample the bittersweetness of pure, fresh sugar cane juice.

We walked up to another sheltered area where a local man would show us how some of the finest cigars are made. Similar to the opportunity to try the sugar cane juice, we were all given a chance to try a small tester cigar of whatever flavor we wanted (original, vanilla, cherry, chocolate, etc.). To finish our visit at this plantation, we were also given Mama Juana, a Dominican Republic drink, to try. After, we loaded the jeeps another time so that they could take us to one of the more touristy beaches in the Dominican Republic, Macao beach.

Here, the water was warm, the sand was fine and the views were stunning. Without a second's delay, we put our belongings on a beach chair and ran into the sea. Soon, the sky turned dark and the daily tropical shower poured down on us, drenching our belongings before we were able to run out of the ocean to relocate them under shelter, but stopping as soon as we had accomplished that task.

As if the day couldn't have gotten any better, the night did not let us down. We danced and stayed up all night at Imagine, a rocking stalagmite cave, where DJ lowkey once again brought the house down. This night excursion was said to be many of the students' favorite, as it definitely was mine.

Day 7: Beach, TBT party

Being that we had been out super late the night before, my roommate and I woke up too late for breakfast but too early for lunch, so we headed to the pool to wait for our friends in hopes that they'd go to our usual location once they woke up. Well, we fell asleep there too, but once we were all able to meet up, we hit the beach and took it easy for the rest of the day.

Day 8: Pool, Grad Gala

Even though it was our last day in Punta Cana, it was nothing spectacular. After the crazy fun week we had, we were ready to be home. The constant humidity and lack of American food had gotten to us and we were more than ready for a good shower, and some Taco Bell. The night before, several students and staff had come down with food poisoning so the majority of the early morning to late afternoon was spent taking care of one of our dear friends. All of our friends had waited with her in the lobby until she was ready to go to the clinic. It was a really cool thing to witness, that a mosh-posh group of people that didn't even know each other in High School, had become so close in the past few days. It saddens me that it wasn't until now that our friendship had begun, but it certainly is the start to a beautiful friendship.

Day 9: USA

We left our mark on a post holding up the hut of an airport.

It was an amazing week. The Dominican Republic had brought me friends and memories that made it the best start to any summer that I could ever remember. We left a note, as many other travelers already have, on a cylinder holding up the airport that read "Punta Cana Forever Redondo S-Trip 2016 #onesix". We hope that any future Redondo students who decide to take this grad trip may one day see it as well and have such incredible times as we did. I know that the friends and moments created in Punta Cana will be revisited at gatherings for many years to come.

Dominican Republic- Punta Cana