Memorible Moments

Milton Hopwood
Eng 201
September 8, 2014

What is a memorable moment? It can be something that makes someone happy or sad. It is usually a big event that happens and you will never forget it. What was one of the most memorable moments in my life? One of my most memorable moments happened during my teenage years. However it was not a memory of a full day or even an hour. It was a mere second of realization. That mere second has affected how I view people, life and the world.
It was the summer before my freshman year of high school; my dad had plans to spend a week in the Bahamas for work. He decided that it would be a good opportunity to bring my older sister and me along with him and my mom. My dad has always felt it was important for me and my sister to experience different cultures and he would also plan for us to see lots of attractions after his work day was completed. The Bahamas was beautiful and more than I could ever imagine. The scenery, the art, and the food and people were all amazed and bemused me at the same time. Even after days of adventures the most memorable thing for me happened on our last day.
My family and I were in a taxi, traveling towards the airport to return home. I remember the traffic was heavy on the highway, and the cab had a distinct, musky scent. I was exhausted and enjoyed just listening to my dad and mother talk to the taxi driver. The taxi driver was young and spoke with such a strong Caribbean accent. He was conversing animatedly with my mother about the upcoming presidential campaign. When all of a sudden it hit me! This young man, a foreigner in a foreign country, knew more about American politics than I did. It was this exact moment that I realized how narrow minded I had been my whole life by choosing to ignore the events that were happen right in front of me. In school I had the opportunity to learn of affairs in my Latin American and Social courses. I heard stories of foreign places from my parents, but didn’t care because they were so alien to me and didn’t affect me directly. To be honest it was as if these things weren’t real.
Once I returned home, I made it my priority to open my eyes and ears and be willing and eager to learn about the current events that were happening around the world. I found interest in studying more about different cultures and people. I desired the passion my dad has always had to leave my hometown in the suburbs and explore the world. I love experiencing different cultures, exotic foods, meeting all kinds of people from diverse backgrounds. I love to learn and embrace new people and cultures. I know that mere second in that cab in Bermuda was a moment that I can truly be happy about. That moment was a life changing event that has allowed me to embrace new places and to learn so much about the world in which I am proud to live and be apart in.