The year was 2013, and I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico

The itinerary was ambitious: fly into the capital, then go on a tour of the ancient Mayan sites, and finish at the iconic Chichén Itzá, or as the locals affectionately called it, "Chicken Pizza."

However, the adventure began long before we saw any pyramids

As we flew into Mexico City, our tour guide turned to us with a warning

"We might not be able to drop you at the door of the hotel," he said. "You may need to walk."

"Why?" we asked, confused.

"Because," he replied matter-of-factly, "there is a riot."

She wasn't exaggerating

By the time we reached the hotel, the unrest was full-on

It was a chaotic scene of riot police, heavy shields, and clouds of tear gas

The tour bus screeched to a halt, and before we could fully process what was happening, the hotel staff rushed out and bundled us through the doors

The guide, eager to escape the crossfire, sped off immediately, promising to return at 09:30 the next morning for our scheduled city tour

Once the hotel doors closed behind us, the atmosphere shifted instantly

Inside, everything returned to normal; the lobby was calm, quiet, and safe

Yet, looking out the window, I watched the violence unfold on the street below

It was a surreal experience, completely detached from the danger, almost like watching it on TV

(I have written before about how we eventually ended up at a coffee shop run by Mexican left-wing guerrillas, which fits the theme of that chaotic arrival.)

From that dramatic start, we moved on to the beauty of the Mayan sites, capturing every moment on an iPhone 5, which, looking back now, feels like a true piece of history itself

Conclusion

This trip remains a vivid memory not just for the ancient history we saw, but for the modern history we witnessed firsthand

It was a journey of stark contrasts: the adrenaline of a city in revolt against the serenity of ancient ruins, and the feeling of being right in the middle of the action while safely behind glass

It was a travel experience that no brochure could have prepared us for