Camera-less Trips

          Two weeks ago, I left for a trip to see my family down south in Mexico. Two hours into the 20+ hour drive, my heart sunk at the realization that I had forgotten what I thought was the most important thing to take on an adventure such as this. I had forgotten my camera. 
          I loudly proclaimed to everyone in the car that I had forgotten my camera and they all reprimanded me for forgetting something so vital. I was practically in tears because I felt as if I was not going to be able to enjoy this trip due to the fact that I would have nothing to remember it by. My dad even offered to turn the car around to go back and get it, but I was not willing to spend an additional four hours in the car just for my camera. How could I be so stupid?

          A few hours later, I calmed down and tried to forget about it. Of course, I did the opposite and thought about it for a few more hours. Did I really need the camera? Would I miss the burden of only coming out in about half of the pictures because no one else knew how to use it? Was I looking forward to taking an hour longer everywhere we went to fit in time for everyone to take individual shots? Eventually, I came to the realization that I was glad I didn't have my camera. I could enjoy my trip without it -- and I did. 
          Was my trip completely without pictures? Of course not, I have an iPhone. What I did find was that no matter how much I wanted to take a picture of something, it wouldn't come out as great with my phone than with my camera. Even then, the pictures never measure up to what is right in front of me. 
          To be honest, I probably will never take another trip without my camera ever again. However, now I'll think twice about using it as often as I used to and I am definitely done taking individual shots of everyone unless I get paid. My preferred payments methods are coffee and food.