03/10/2025
📸 Finally getting to revisit these photos from a trip that shaped me, over 20 years later. 🎞️
Back in February 2001, I traveled to Guatemala with my classmates for Computers for the World (C4W). Our mission: collect donated computers and software, ship them, install everything, and teach students before we left. The trip took us to a Catholic private school in Guatemala City, serving primarily indigenous students from families with limited financial resources. I led the computer side—securing donations, ensuring software compatibility, and refurbishing the systems. None of it would have been possible without the classmates and friends who supported the effort, even if they couldn’t make the trip.
An unexpected turn gave us time to explore Tikal. While preparing the school’s electrical system for the computers, an overestimation in the upgrade caused a power surge, frying our surge protectors. With a couple of days needed for repairs, we seized the opportunity to visit one of the most incredible places on Earth.
Tikal’s towering ruins, swallowed by jungle, still hold the weight of history. Walking those ancient steps, we were surrounded by the sounds of howler monkeys and came across a coati wandering the site. The experience was surreal—one of those moments where you realize how small you are in the grand scheme of things.
The collection of eight photos captures different moments from this unforgettable journey. The ancient structures of Tikal stand against dramatic skies, showing the sheer scale and craftsmanship of the Maya civilization. The lush green jungle surrounding the ruins adds to the sense of mystery and timelessness. A lone coati roams the site, a reminder of the wildlife that calls this place home. The bustling streets of Guatemala offer a glimpse into daily life, where colonial architecture and modern activity blend seamlessly. From the grand churches of Antigua to the quiet paths through the jungle, each image holds a memory of discovery, learning, and adventure.
Now, more than 20 years later, I can finally enjoy and edit these pictures, even if only in the most basic sense. These images were always a treasure to me, and the significance of them still astounds me. What amazes me even more is the technique captured in these shots, I had no photographic knowledge or training. I was simply taking in the world around me, preserving moments that, decades later, I can finally appreciate in a whole new way.
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