my trip to belize
i’m rebecca, and i traveled with society verde to placencia, belize.
i feel like i become a different person when i travel. at home i live a small life– i keep to myself, i have a routine, and i don’t push myself to try new things. life becomes different when i land in another country. i become a more adventurous person. i try to grasp the overwhelming feeling of being in a new place.
the best part of traveling with melissa is that she creates this safe, open space to allow you to really immerse yourself in the culture. of course there’s an itinerary and a plan but sometimes she just allows things to happen organically because that’s what travel is– the unexpected, the exciting, and the unknown. melissa wants people to explore and get outside their comfort zones and celebrates their successes but she also recognizes people’s boundaries and fears and allows space for those too.
in melissa’s yoga practices she reminds us to be present and open to the experiences of the trip and i find myself taking the time to acknowledge this way of traveling with her. as someone who is used to being independent and doing things on my own, i work to accept the change of pace to be with a group.
in just a few days the strangers in my travel group became supportive friends and the trip became more than just the tours and the excursions. it was also about embracing a new community of fellow travelers. we experience it all together and for that week, we share a bond. people put down their phones at dinner as we try new foods, talk about our day and enjoy each others company. when someone expresses interest in going to a certain place or trying something out, the group joins in and we experience it together, whether it’s a seaweed shake or a popular rum bar or riding around in a golf cart to explore the area.
my trip to belize with melissa and society verde ended up being about embracing rain and enjoying all the unexpected moments that it gave to us throughout our trip. in belize, i wandered through rain and flooded streets, mosquito filled jungles, and watched a beautiful sunrise from our ocean side villa. i left changed, rejuvenated, and stronger.
ultimately i believe that traveling isn’t just about the destination, although belize is truly a magical place. the people of belize are friendly and proud of their country and their diversity. during our trip we got to experience both the garifuna and mayan cultures, learning about their connection to the land and nature. we spent time in the beach town of placencia wandering the streets and shopping from the local vendors/artisans and we spent time out on the caribbean sea snorkeling and learning about reef regeneration.
mostly, i believe travel is about the overall experience. putting yourself in a new space and trying to be present in the moment. learning to be uncomfortable, adaptable, and accepting. each time i travel with melissa, i feel like i become a better version of myself. i learn to be more patient by traveling with a group. i learn to be more aware of my own privilege. i learn to be more open to the life experiences of others, and i learn to be braver. i allow the experience to change me and to inspire me to make changes to my own life when i return home.
“in belize, i wandered through rain and flooded streets, mosquito filled jungles, and watched a beautiful sunrise from our ocean side villa. i left changed, rejuvenated, and stronger.”
journal submission | rebecca denoewer
travel with society verde | oaxaca, belize, italy
a favorite travel memory | ‘i took a road trip around the south island of new zealand, exploring the vast landscape and hiking through a rainforest with views of a glacier.’
when she’s not exploring the world and making new travel friends, you can find rebecca locally in cleveland supporting cottagecore and plant magick through vintage, upcycled, and sustainable goods at her lakewood shop, magically found. she also manages costumes on many film and tv sets. and if you can’t seem to find her anywhere…she’s probably just taking a break to chill with her cats fernet, cosmopolitan, margarita, and bellini, watering her seventy-three house plants, and listening to taylor swift.
photography: april bleakney