In 1972, I took a road trip from California to Belize and Guatemala, where I found myself mesmerized by the hot rains, flamboyant hammocks, brilliant colors of the forest, and fresh fruits from home gardens. During this trip, I was an undergraduate volunteer for an archaeological project in El Petén, Guatemala. At the time, I was just learning about Mesoamerica and the Maya and did not realize this area would become my life’s work.

Read more about it on American Scientist website here