In the last edition, I ranked all the places I visited in 2024 and mentioned there was one more to add—Martinique! It’s an island in the French Caribbean, and it turned out to be one of my favorite trips this year. I stayed on my friend’s sailboat, along with his mom, for a few days before heading to the east coast to watch Ravens vs Steelers (I am writing this before the game so hopefully the Ravens won)! This experience definitely lands in the top tier of my travels for the year.
There’s something special about reconnecting with friends and feeling like no time has passed since you last saw each other. Even though I’m trying to get better at keeping in touch, I’m grateful that my best friendships pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time has gone by. I hope to continue building more of those kinds of connections.
In Martinique, we spent most of our time on the boat, only going ashore a handful of times for hikes and meals. It was a chill but really fun trip. I’ve realized that the people I’m traveling with often matter more than the destinations themselves. While some places can be incredible on their own and worth visiting solo—especially those with natural attractions—there’s something unbeatable about sharing experiences with good company.
That wraps up my travels for the year, but I also wanted to share some thoughts about trying new things in this letter:
I feel fortunate to have had so many different experiences in my life, and they’ve taught me a lot about myself and what’s possible. I believe everyone should make it a point to try new things—not because of FOMO, but to discover what they might enjoy or learn what’s not for them. For example, staying on a boat for a few days with my friend gave me a glimpse into the lifestyle I could have if I learned to sail and take care of a boat. My mechanical engineering degree could even lead to a career working on yachts. While I don’t think that’s the path for me, the experience expanded my perspective and reminded me of all the options out there.
Trying new things opens your mind to different possibilities. It’s easy to get comfortable with the things we already like, but by exploring more, we might find something we enjoy even more. And even if a new experience isn’t enjoyable, it teaches you why it’s not for you—helping you make better choices in the future. That’s all for this one.