Every now and again, a destination leaves me at a loss for words. Not because it was a particularly bad experience, or even a particularly good one.
My time in Tulum stretched well beyond my intended initial stay, keeping me in its grips for nearly two full weeks. Slow travel is my style, after all, but who knew this little beach community–that I’d never so much as seen photos of prior to arriving–would be so magnetic?
I didn’t do all that I could have while in Tulum, but I did far more than I ever expected. That included a handful of chance encounters that left me bubbling over with warm and fuzzies, a panic attack–the first I’ve ever experienced in my life–that left me feeling anything BUT warm and fuzzy, and an experience I’m still not sure I’m ready to talk about publicly (though rest assured, it was a good one).
In these instances, when a destination gives me so many different emotions to digest all at once, I find it more useful to let those experiences marinate in my soul for as long as they need to rather than forcing careless words onto my screen.
And so, today, I’m letting my photography do the talking for me, to bring you into my Tulum experience slowly, carefully. It may not be the immersive experience my words could provide, but it’s a start.
These photos depict all of the things that struck me as quintessentially Tulum. Darling cabañas tucked away between palms, the ubiquitous street art (and Volkswagen Beetles, and bicycles) of Tulum Town, the fiery sunsets only seen from high above the treetops, the white sand beaches and cerulean sea. Secret cenotes known only to locals, and their heavily-touristed counterparts. Ruins, both ancient and new.
I hope you enjoy this Tulum photo diary. To see a thorough list of all the things I did, what I saw, and where I ate, head to this post.
I take photos as an alternative way of telling a story, and also to help me remember details when my memory doesn’t serve. Has a destination ever left you speechless and forced to rely on photos?
