Turning a Mayan Dream Into a Reality
By Julia A. Keirns
International travel is not out of reach for the average middle class American. Travelling to other countries is very affordable, especially when done through travel agencies. Safety does not need to be a concern when travelling to resort areas. Seeing the wonders of the world in person is such a rewarding experience that it should not be avoided. Travelling internationally is one of the most valuable and satisfying life experiences that everyone should enjoy before they die.
Rich and Julie wanted to see Mayan Ruins in Mexico, but always thought travelling internationally was too expensive. Their daughter convinced them to talk to a travel agent and get some information. They called Spectacular Adventures, a travel agency in their town, and spoke to Johnna. Johnna assured them that there were many travel packages available for all budgets. They set up an appointment and were surprised to realize that they could easily afford a 4-night stay at a 5-star all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Mayan coastline of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Rich and Julie took the first step in turning their dream into a reality. They booked the trip and paid a small deposit of $250.00.
By booking the trip six months in advance, they felt confident that they had plenty of time to make their payments and still keep their bills paid. The total amount of the trip for two people was only $2,000. They had already paid the deposit and only needed to make payments of $290 per month for the next 6 months. Affordability was achieved.
Rich and Julie had heard news reports of safety issues when travelling to Mexico. Immediately after booking their trip, the headlines stated, “Eight dead bodies found in Cancun, Mexico!” They called the travel agent and expressed their concerns about what they had heard on the news. Johnna reassured them that the resorts were completely safe, and the dead bodies were found in a different area. After all, violent crime in America is just as bad, if not worse. Travelers just need to be smart about what they do and where they go while in another country. Booking excursions through the resort and travel agency would be completely safe. Letting the local guides who know the territory take them where they wanted to go would be the best way to see everything they wanted to see. Their fears subsided. Safety concerns were no longer an issue.
Rich and Julie hoped traveling to Mexico and seeing some of the Mayan Ruins would be as rewarding as they thought it would be. They boarded their first flight ever and flew to Cancun, Mexico. A shuttle waited to take them straight to their resort on the Riviera Maya. After a short twenty-minute ride they arrived at the Secrets Silversands Resort and were greeted with glasses of champagne. David, the VIP representative treated them both like royalty. He made sure they knew that he was available to help them with any questions they had. He spoke very good English and made them feel very welcome and at ease. The resort was absolutely beautiful, and everything they dreamed it would be. David helped them schedule excursions to Chichen Itza and Tulum, two of the Mayan City Ruins on their list of places to see.
The excursions were amazing. They travelled on luxurious tour busses to each of the destinations on two separate days. They were provided free breakfast and lunch snacks, as well as free water and Mexican beer on the trip. The local guides escorted them through each city and explained the history of the ruins. They were given free time to explore and shop in the gift shops with a meeting time to return to the bus. Seeing the Mayan Ruins in person was one of the most exciting, rewarding and fulfilling experiences they have ever had.
Taking the step to travel internationally for the first-time taught Rich and Julie not to wait any longer to see all the places in the world they want to see. Mayan Ruins are no longer out of their reach. They discovered that it is affordable, safe and rewarding to travel internationally. They have many places in the world they would like to see before they die, and other Mayan Ruins to explore, and they do not want to reach the end of their lives with regrets. Life is too short to be afraid to travel. After all, tomorrow is not promised, and life goes by much faster than it should. Travelling internationally is one of the most valuable and satisfying life experiences that Rich and Julie are so glad they achieved. The world is now open to them and they plan to spend the rest of their lives exploring it.