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.
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.
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!
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.
The Power of Lake Petén Itza
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.
Oof can you write! This was a delight to read.
This is beautiful. That struggle of wanting cause and effect, clarity and simplicity, is so relatable.
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.
This was beautiful, I'm so pleased I saved this until I could sit and savour it.
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!
I really love the way you paint with words Samantha! ❤️
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.
So beautifully written! Loved reading about Philippa’s life…
Insightful! Fabulous! Thank you, Mike
Sam this is SO good! I loved reading this
I love this! Makes me want to go back to Guatemala. You really captured the essence of Peten.
Thank you sharing this profound experience.