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Polaroid of the Week: Meeting Miguel de San Miguel on Lake Petén Itzá

Polaroid of the Week: Meeting Miguel de San Miguel on Lake Petén Itzá

We had just arrived in Guatemala and spent a couple of days in Flores, a picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá. One sunny afternoon, lounging on the dock, a friendly Guatemalan 'anciano' (elderly gentleman) approached to chat. He introduced himself as 'Miguel de San Miguel' from the village of San Miguel across the lake.

At 85 years old, Miguel had lived his entire life by the lake, dedicating most of it to extracting chicle from sapodilla trees in the nearby jungles. His warmth captivated us, leading to a full afternoon together. He invited us aboard his small boat for a personal tour of Petencito, a charming island zoo in the lake's heart.

Miguel eagerly shared knowledge of local flora and fauna, reminisced about Flores' changes over 50 years, and proudly noted—out of the blue—weighing just 80 lbs while staying remarkably fit. Visiting Flores? Spot his turquoise boat at the pier and say hello.

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