Polaroid of the Week: Majestic Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas, Mexico

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,

When it rains, it pours, as the saying goes—and thats been literal and figurative lately. Torrential downpours flooded Guadalajaras streets today, reminding me of Seattles relentless rains. Amid personal challenges and tough news, Ive been in a slump, but this trip is lifting my spirits.Arriving in Mexico felt like coming home—spotting that familiar OXXO store outside the airport terminal sealed it. Mexicos comforting vibe has eased me back into solo travel, and the mostly perfect weather has be

Though our remote beach house on Mexicos Costa Maya had few neighbors, it was alive with dozens of geckos of all sizes. These natural pest controllers kept mosquitoes and bugs at bay. Jess adored the tiny newborns—barely an inch long—but our favorite was this bold green gecko. He loved hanging out nearby as we cooked, read, or dined, and was incredibly photogenic, striking poses for the camera instead of scurrying away.This morning, we said goodbye to him, the other geckos, and our faithful beac