The sun threatened to burn into the horizon as the heat of the Yucatán began to subside. The mangroves echoed with bird calls as the roots swayed gently in the water's current. A small alligator affectionately named "Panchito" swam around the kayak as we drifted across the water so clear that the depth was impossible to judge. Rocks twenty feet underwater looked as if you could touch them just below the surface. As shadows began to creep across this blue vein of life in the jungle, we felt more and more like we belonged in this place. The Mayans believed that these springs were portals to the realm of the gods. And though the only sacrifice we had to make was our energy, it seemed that whatever gods still watch over these waters were pleased enough with our offering to allow this moment to happen. Sometimes all the universe requires of us is to be present, and all else will fall into place around us.
