Hello, friends! It has been a while since I’ve sent you anything—hopefully you’ll see why when you read today’s post, which took a huge amount of effort and care. For over 100 of you, this is the first newsletter you’re receiving from me. No doubt many of you found me through my essay on
Sam is back with a bang! Loved this so much. Not sure if I could live with a beehive in my room either, or sleep in a bed of sand, but I too have often wondered if simplicity is the answer. Hard not to admire your in-laws for living the way they do.
Thank you so much, Mikey! ☺️ It’s hard not to respect people who live their lives according to their own unique values (which I think is somewhat rare), even if you fell differently or wouldn’t do the same thing.
So glad I saved this for later reading rather than just speeding through it. Just gorgeous writing and so very meaningful, Samantha. Kind of crystallizes why taking a chance and visiting places outside your comfort zone really matters. I’ll be reading this again.
Thank you so much, Ruth! And totally agree...this trip reminded me why I travel. Travel can be restorative and just plain fun--and I think that’s really important, because we all need uncomplicated fun sometimes--but there’s another type of travel that makes us reconsider our perspectives and enriches our lives. Guatemala was the latter for me, and I’m grateful for that.
Wonderful experience. Your in laws seem to be seeking "getting back to the earth" as a way to be happy. Interesting that so many from Guatemala travel to US under harsh conditions to experience what we have to offer and to make a "better " life. The reality is that happiness and the creation of it is inside you
Sam! Welcome back. I was so happy to get the notification that you’d posted again. And such a wonderful return, too. A lot of food for thought in this essay. Looking forward to reading your stuff again!
Andrei!! So good to see your name pop up on my screen! And thank you ☺️ I’ve been taking a much-needed break from Substack as it was starting to feel too much like regular social media...but I’ve really missed “hanging out” with you and other writer friends. Can’t wait to read all of your stuff that I missed!
Thank you so much, Louise! This was such a fun place to try to capture. The hardest part was deciding what the leave out...this trip gave me a lifetime’s worth of material, lol.
This means so much to me. This is the land of Max and Itzel from my novel (as you know), of magical Cacao Trees, talking Hummingbirds, Feathered Serpents, and Jaguar kKings, and of the Itzà Maya people, who stood as the last Maya in the face of the insistent, impossibly cruel Conquistadores. And they still stand, everywhere, in the rainforest.
Now that I’ve been to Guatemala, I can do easily understand why you’d set a novel there...there is so much storytelling potential! The history, the mysticism, the unique setting and animals. Your novel is on my (ever-lengthening) list of books to read!!
Sam is back with a bang! Loved this so much. Not sure if I could live with a beehive in my room either, or sleep in a bed of sand, but I too have often wondered if simplicity is the answer. Hard not to admire your in-laws for living the way they do.
Thank you so much, Mikey! ☺️ It’s hard not to respect people who live their lives according to their own unique values (which I think is somewhat rare), even if you fell differently or wouldn’t do the same thing.
Oof can you write! This was a delight to read.
Thank you, Gillian! I hope all has been well with you. :)
This is beautiful. That struggle of wanting cause and effect, clarity and simplicity, is so relatable.
💕💕 thanks so much for reading!
So glad I saved this for later reading rather than just speeding through it. Just gorgeous writing and so very meaningful, Samantha. Kind of crystallizes why taking a chance and visiting places outside your comfort zone really matters. I’ll be reading this again.
Thank you so much, Ruth! And totally agree...this trip reminded me why I travel. Travel can be restorative and just plain fun--and I think that’s really important, because we all need uncomplicated fun sometimes--but there’s another type of travel that makes us reconsider our perspectives and enriches our lives. Guatemala was the latter for me, and I’m grateful for that.
This was beautiful, I'm so pleased I saved this until I could sit and savour it.
I take this as the highest compliment ☺️ thank you so much, Rachel! Hope you’re doing well!
You too!
Wonderful experience. Your in laws seem to be seeking "getting back to the earth" as a way to be happy. Interesting that so many from Guatemala travel to US under harsh conditions to experience what we have to offer and to make a "better " life. The reality is that happiness and the creation of it is inside you
Your last sentence is so true, Linda--we have to create our own happiness, and what that looks like is unique to each of us. Thank you for reading! 🙂
Sam! Welcome back. I was so happy to get the notification that you’d posted again. And such a wonderful return, too. A lot of food for thought in this essay. Looking forward to reading your stuff again!
Andrei!! So good to see your name pop up on my screen! And thank you ☺️ I’ve been taking a much-needed break from Substack as it was starting to feel too much like regular social media...but I’ve really missed “hanging out” with you and other writer friends. Can’t wait to read all of your stuff that I missed!
❤️❤️❤️ can’t wait to see what you think of them.
I really love the way you paint with words Samantha! ❤️
Thank you so much, Louise! This was such a fun place to try to capture. The hardest part was deciding what the leave out...this trip gave me a lifetime’s worth of material, lol.
This means so much to me. This is the land of Max and Itzel from my novel (as you know), of magical Cacao Trees, talking Hummingbirds, Feathered Serpents, and Jaguar kKings, and of the Itzà Maya people, who stood as the last Maya in the face of the insistent, impossibly cruel Conquistadores. And they still stand, everywhere, in the rainforest.
Now that I’ve been to Guatemala, I can do easily understand why you’d set a novel there...there is so much storytelling potential! The history, the mysticism, the unique setting and animals. Your novel is on my (ever-lengthening) list of books to read!!
So beautifully written! Loved reading about Philippa’s life…
Thank you so much, Florence! Glad you enjoyed it ☺️
Insightful! Fabulous! Thank you, Mike
Thank you for reading, Mike ☺️
Sam this is SO good! I loved reading this
☺️ thank you, Tom! I think I’ve said this before, but the kind words mean a little bit extra when they’re coming from another travel writer!
Us travel writers have to stick together! 😊
I love this! Makes me want to go back to Guatemala. You really captured the essence of Peten.
Thank you, Adam! Isn’t it such an interesting place? I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere quite like it.
Thank you sharing this profound experience.
Thank you, Vicki! And so nice to see your name pop up here--I hope you’ve been well!!