The Advantages of a Travel Writing Workshop
Learning and Honing Skills in Travel Journalism and Finding Stories
Feb 6, 2009
A group of twenty participants attended a fantastic workshop for travel writers (both professional & novice), "The Soul of Travel Writing," led by travel journalist Judith Fein , her photographer husband Paul Ross (It also included classes on photography) and Steve Kiesling, editor-in-chief of Spirituality & Health Magazine.
An amazing workshop--places were visited and things were seen that one would not normally experience. Mayan shamans performed a blessing ceremony before the participants entered the jungle to see how the "chicleros" gathered the chicle to make chewing gum. They saw and participated in folk dances with local Mayans.
The Mayan Ruins
The Mayan archaeological sites of Dzbanche, Kohunlich, Chicanna, Becan and Xpujil, in the states of Quintana Roo and Campeche were visited. At some of these ruins the group were the only visitors there.
Sailing on Laguna Bacalar
An eco-tour of Laguna Bacalar in a 27-foot sailing catamaran was included. The young captain (who could have very well been a descendant of the Caribbean pirates who often tried to invade the Laguna) was very knowledgeable about the ecology and the flora and fauna of the lagoon.
A Visit to a Mayan Ejido
20 de Noviembre*, an "ejido" (cooperative village), was another Mayan village that was visited. They were just gearing up for tourism as a way of helping to support the community. There the group saw how the modern Mayan villagers lived, were prepared a meal of typical Mayan food and shown their crafts of hammock making, traditional clothing making and embroidery.
The Unique Prison
A unique prison was visited (not one of your American "country club" prisons--where politicians and CEO's are sent) that had an art studio, crafts shops, computer lab, spa and and a conjugal-visit "hotel".
Art Classes with Mayan Artist
An art class by Francisco Hoil, a well-known Mayan muralist from Chetumal was part of the workshop.
Bacalar and Surrounds
And the group visited the old Spanish San Felipe Fort in Bacalar with its museum. The fort was built by the Spanish to protect the town from marauding Caribbean pirates. Also Cenote Azul, a restaurant overlooking a pristine, seemingly bottomless cenote (sinkhole) and, had some fine meals in small restaurants around the Bacalar Plaza.
A Visit by the Local Politicians
To top this all off, on the final night of the workshop, the workshop visited by the heads of the local government (including the charismatic woman mayor, Cora Amalia, who some predict will end up becoming the first woman president of the country) and the tourism department and a dance troupe from the local university who put on a Cancun/Las Vegas class show of tropical dance.
Honing Travel Journalism Skills at Rancho Encantado
While having these adventures, the group was also learning or honing skills in the craft of travel writing.
This all took place while staying in paradise, that is, at Rancho Encantado, eco-resort, retreat center & spa located on the shore of beautiful Laguna Bacalar (The Lake of Seven Colors).
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