People you meet on the road

Bonding with fellow travellers when our various modes of transportation were grounded to a halt due to a protest

Hola amigos! The past few days as I've indulged in some amazing R&R in El Remate I've had plenty of time to reflect.

What has struck me most about my travels so far is how blown away I am by the kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone I've crossed paths with. These people that start off as strangers quickly become new friends, even if just for a moment, a few minutes, hours or days. Stories are told, wisdom is shared and everyone is so inspiring in one way or another.

When I first decided to travel to Central America solo I was greeted with mixed reactions. Excitement from some, fears for my safety from others. However, I knew I had 100% support from everyone.

The closer it came to my departure, I did start to feel a little anxious. But I was to feel the fear and do it anyway.

Since arriving in Guatemala I've been overwhelmed with the friendliness of the locals and other travellers. Everyone is warm and open and always eager to help. Often we communicate in Spanglish with many smiles, hand gestures and laughs and if we are still unable to communicate then someone else always comes to the rescue and helps translate.

In any situation I've come to trust that it will all work out. Even if on the outset a situation seems an inconvenience, something amazing always comes out of it! And so far everything has been perfectly imperfect.

What I'm loving the most is the broad selection of people I'm meeting. People of all ages and nationalities. All with their own life path and stories to share. I've been inspired by entrepreneurs, doctors on medical missions, a man cycling from Alaska to South America (he left Alaska in July), a translator who speaks many languages and travels the world, a retired lawyer who now builds wooden kayaks, a beautiful soul who lost her mother last year and is travelling solo for introspection, people learning Spanish just because, or to help further their careers, a parachute specialist in the army who loves that he gets paid to jump out of planes. The list is endless and I've only been travelling for a month!

Sophie from France. We first met on a bus, shared a hotel room for a night then bumped into each other again at Tikal

Richard, a great doctor doing inspiring work in the US, Guatemala and Africa

Tomorrow I head to San Marcos in Lake Atitlan to begin a month long meditation retreat. It's because of this retreat that I am in Guatemala. I'm excited about who I shall meet next!

Until next time....adios.

Love Lili x