My heart leaps as I jump off the cliff, my body plummeting through the warm air before crashing into the water. Radiant sunlight caresses my face when I swim to the surface, and I take a deep breath before kicking my legs, propelling myself towards the gaping hole in the layered rocks. 

. . . 

I marvel at the view as the rickety roller coaster creaks up the track, weaving through the forest. Rugged mountains stand imposingly against the sharp contrast of the swirling blue expanse of sky, while snow coats the jagged ridges and peaks in a raw veil of white.

. . . 

The loud sounds of the street surround us as I drive the tiny golf cart through the bustling main avenue of San Pancho. My cousins chatter behind me as we spot our favorite taco place, parking in a little space next to it. I hop out eagerly, my mouth already watering from the succulent aromas. 

. . . 

Pleasant warmth radiates off the soft grains of sand, the heat soaking into my body. Gentle rays of sunshine paint my skin in golden hues as I settle into my murder mystery novel.

. . .

The raft slams into a boulder, spraying water into our faces, as the guide yells instructions at us. We swing our paddles through the foaming water in unison, launching the boat through the narrow rocks.  

. . .  

I whoop in victory as I precariously stand up on the surfboard, riding out the rest of the wave before jumping into the water.   

. . . 

Thoughts clatter around my head in pandemonium, causing me to swallow nervously. I make myself go through the motions, scooping food onto my plate along my Taiwanese host family. A crime show plays on the small TV, accompanied by the occasional polite conversation. I thank the grandma for her cooking, my words tumbling out in a mess as I fidget self-consciously, painfully aware of my accent. 

. . .

Creamy gelato melts in my mouth, the blissful coldness offering a temporary respite from the muggy heat surrounding us in a sticky haze.

. . .  

I sprint towards the edge of the cliff, my heart pounding with each step. My eyes shut tightly as my feet leave the ground and when I open them a moment later, my jaw drops. I stare down at the ground thousands of feet below me, the rural village reduced to tiny specks. Awe fills me as we glide on the gentle wind currents.

. . .

The crunchy exterior of the mini donut melts away, revealing the warm deliciousness contained inside. We devour the snack in seconds, sighing in contentment.

. . . 

Bolts of excitement zip around in my head as we stand in the mob waiting to get into the arena for the 2019 women’s World Cup final. My aunt presses the damp American flag tattoo to my cheek and I fight the urge to smile.  

. . .

Delightfully fresh water submerges my body, offering relief from the suffocating rays of the beating sun.

. . . 

Aching pain reverberates up my feet as I lug the suitcase across the rough cobbled roads. Airplane weariness has settled into my body and I struggle to keep my legs from collapsing as I blindly follow my lost parents in circles around Barcelona’s Old City. 

. . .

Our boba order slips easily off my tongue in Chinese, and I smile happily as my taste buds eagerly look forward to the bursting sweetness of passionfruit green tea. 

. . . 

My cousins and I scream with reckless glee as my uncle speeds up more, turning the boat and swinging our flat tube across the water. The tube bounces uncontrollably, flying into the air before smacking into the rolling waves. We count down in unison before throwing our hands in the air. Before we can blink, the tube crashes into a wave, flinging us all off the back.

. . .

I feel my eyes widen as I stare up at the Pantheon. A hazy beam of light shoots down from the center, framed by a dizzying array of concentric squares. As soon as I try beginning to comprehend all the ancient history surrounding me, my brain protests in response.

. . .  

The slippery paddle digs into my aching hands as I move it in the familiar swinging motion, cutting the blade through the still water. I finally set the paddle down to take a break, then blink in wonder as I take in my surroundings. Lush green plants line the valley, framed by tiny waterfalls. Rivulets of rushing water crash against the rocks, spraying a cloud of white mist.

. . . 

I scoop the delectable mango poke into my mouth, closing my eyes to savor the rare good Asian food in Sweden or Denmark. When I finally pause to talk, I chatter excitedly with my soccer teammate about our amazing find. 

. . .

A huge grin breaks out across my face as I lean forward in the ATV, pushing down harder on the gas as the huge wheels roll up the steep hill.

. . .

Frustration clouds my mind as I listen to a language I don’t understand. Bits and pieces of Spanish float by my ears, and I shift uneasily as the disturbing feeling of being an intruder rolls through me.

. . .

 My breath catches as the dim light of the cave reveals the shells of what seems like dozens of resting turtles. I stare in wonder as some of them stir, lazily moving around.

. . . 

Busy chatter fills the famous Din Tai Fung restaurant in Taipei 101, but my brain is too tired to comprehend any of it. The jetlag fogging my mind is so thick that I barely notice as the waiter sets down a tray of steaming dumplings in front of me.

. . . 

My throat and nose burn painfully as I inhale a breath of seawater before popping back to the surface. I cough, rubbing the stinging salt out of my eyes, before grinning at my cousin as he stands on a sandbar.

. . . 

A thunderous roar shakes the stadium as we join everyone around us in wild cheers, celebrating the successful penalty kick. We jump up and down, chanting so loud the entire ground trembles. 

. . . 

I blink in surprise as colorful fish dart out from beneath the rocks, swimming right in front of my face. Clear turquoise water spreads out in shimmering waves, clashing vibrantly with the tropical patterns.

. . . 

A lizard slithers across the suffocating walls of the unfamiliar room, their pale body stark against the harsh gray background. My stomach contracts in disgust, accompanied with a single thought: I wish I were home. 

. . . 

Light drops of mist spray into my face as I push down harder on the accelerator, feeling the jet ski skim over the waves. Our whoops of joy rush by my ears as we race towards the horizon.

. . .

My eyes struggle to take in the natural tunnel around me, faint beams of light barely penetrating the darkness. I kick my legs gently through the cloudy water, the subdued splashes echoing quietly. Suddenly the brooding dark channel opens up and my breath catches at the sight. Layered rock walls enclose an oasis of smooth aquamarine water, illuminated by a halo of golden sunlight. I tilt my face to the soft gaze of the sun and take a deep breath, the serene beauty filling my lungs and flowing into my mind: in, out, in, out, in, out…