During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restrictions were put on the world to prevent the spread of the virus. Over the summer, everyone was excited to be able to visit their families again, one example of this being the Rocha sisters. 

“I traveled to Mexico July 1, and was there until the end of the month,” senior Amayrani Rocha said. 

During their stay in Mexico, the Rochas’ were able to do a multitude of activities, but the most important was getting the opportunity to see relatives they had not met before. 

“Some of the family I had never met before and some of them I hadn’t seen since I was 4 years old,” Amayrani said. “We had to travel to Mexico when my aunt passed away. Other than that I had never been to Mexico to the point where I remembered anything.” 

While both Rochas were able to see their family during their trip, they were also able to do many other fun activities. 

“During my visit, I went shopping and went to parties,” senior Arizany Rocha said. 

Traveling from Kansas to Mexico is a long trip. The distance from Kansas City to Mexico City is about 1,682 miles or 28 hours and 26 minutes. 

“The traveling took forever and I was really tired when I got there. We drove to Mexico because you have to be 18 to be able to fly,” Amayrani said. 

Although there are not as many restrictions on travel as there used to be during the midst of the COVID pandemic, in Mexico the seriousness of the pandemic is much more severe. 

“The spread of COVID-19 is definitely taken more seriously over there because no matter if you’re vaccinated or not and you go into the city, they make you wear a mask,” Arizany said. 

In addition, before entering any store in Mexico, employees will check your temperature and make you use hand sanitizer. 

Although the pandemic still posed a few restrictions during their visit to Mexico, the stay was unmatched. 

“I really enjoyed my stay because due to Covid I had not seen my grandparents for a while. It was nice to go see them in their own homes and go out with my friends and cousins in the towns and places my parents did when they were my age,” Arizany said. 

“The stay was awesome. It was cool to get to know my family and I made so many friends. Everyone was so welcoming. It was cool to see and learn about my culture. I don’t know why I waited so long to visit because it was an awesome experience,” Amayrani said. 

The Rochas thoroughly enjoyed their stay and experience in Mexico and plan to return for Christmas and New Years.