Temples & Tropics

Around the World
Written by Kelci

A tropic-like plant to represent this post “Temples & Tropics”

Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.

Welcome back, wanderers and warm souls, to another leg of our Around the World journey. A series created to explore the heart of every nation with curiosity and care, one flight at a time. Whether you’re joining for the first time or returning for more, you’re right on time.

Today’s chapter, “Temples & Tropics,” takes us into lands steeped in rhythm and ruin. From Mayan ruins to island songs, these nations hold ancient stories beneath the sun. It’s where history hums through the jungle canopies and echoes across ocean tides.

Join me as we step into the vibrant worlds of Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Each rich in roots, resilience, and a rhythm all their own.

My hand-drawn flag of Haiti

HAITI

Official name: The Republic of Haiti

Pronunciation: hay-tee

Capital: Port-au-Prince

Official language: Haitian Creole and French

Location: In the Central Eastern part of the Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Dominican Republic. Near Puerto Rico and Jamaica

Most known for: First independent nation in the Caribbean

Fun fact: Home to the world’s largest solar-powered hospital, Hospital Universitaire De Mirebalais

Recent news article: Thirteen Days in Haiti: Sailboats, ‘saints’ and staff calm traffic, airline and official pains (Fritznel D. Octave, 2025)

My knowledge: I don’t know too much

My hand-drawn flag of Honduras

HONDURAS

Official name: Republic of Honduras

Pronunciation: haan-dur-uhs

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Official language: Spanish

Location: In the Caribbean on the Central Western coastline in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua

Most known for: Its natural beauty, including the barrier reef and Mayan ruins

Fun fact: Only Central American country without volcanoes

Recent news article: How to Celebrate Easter in Honduras (James Hyde, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m unfamiliar with Honduras

My hand-drawn flag of Jamaica

JAMAICA

Official name: Jamaica

Pronunciation: juh-may-kuh

Capital: Kingston

Official language: English

Location: Off to the Central Eastern side of the Caribbean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic

Most known for: Athletics, such as its sprinters

Fun fact: The first tropical nation to compete in the Winter Olympics Bobsledding event

Recent news article: What Jamaica Wants After Deadly Hurricane? ‘Visit Us’ Island Says (Frances Robles, 2025)

My knowledge: Someone once recommended their Blue Mountain coffee, but aside from that, Usain Bolt and other Jamaican Olympic athletes, and Jamaican/reggae music, there’s not much else I know

My hand-drawn flag of Mexico

MEXICO

Official name: United Mexican States

Pronunciation: mek-suh-kow

Capital: Mexico City

Official language: While Spanish is the national language and most often used by the government, Mexico has 68 official languages

Location: In the southern portion of North America in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: USA, Belize, and Guatemala

Most known for: Day of the Dead celebrations and good food

Fun fact: Home to the world’s smallest volcano, Cuexcomate

Recent news article: Women artisans train as instructors to professionalize safeguarding of Mayan Embroidery in Mexico (UNESCO, 2025)

My knowledge: More familiar with Mexico. It does help that it borders the USA

My hand-drawn flag of Nicaragua

NICARAGUA

Official name: Republic of Nicaragua

Pronunciation: ni-kr-aa-gwuh

Capital: Managua

Official language: Spanish, but there are also recognized regional languages along the coasts as well

Location: In Central Caribbean along the western coast in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Honduras and Costa Rica

Most known for: Being the “Land of Fire and Water” for its large lakes and volcanoes, many of whom are along the Ring of Fire

Fun fact: There’s such a thing as volcano boarding, where you can surf down a volcano on a sandboard

Recent news article: How to Celebrate Easter in Nicaragua (James Dyde, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not very familiar with Nicaragua

My hand-drawn flag of Panama

PANAMA

Official name: Republic of Panama

Pronunciation: pa-nuh-maa

Capital: Panama City

Official language: Spanish

Location: In Southern portion of the Caribbean as it connects North America to South America. It is within the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Costa Rica and Colombia

Most known for: The Panama Canal

Fun fact: Has the world’s oldest railroad, the Panama Railroad. It was completed in 1855

Recent news article: Panama knows how to party (Doane Line, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not familiar with Panama

From the highlands of Honduras to the shores of Jamaica, and the ruins of Mexico to the crossroads of Panama, this journey through “Temples & Tropics” reminds us that history isn’t just found in museums, it’s alive in the colors, languages, and music of everyday life. These nations show that even in places shaped by storms and struggle, beauty finds a way to bloom.

I’d love to hear from you, have you traveled to any of these countries, or do you call one of them home? Share your thoughts and memories below.

And don’t forget, the Around the World series continues in just three days. Next stop? Check here.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpectedly earn a spot on our favorites list And sometimes, we surprise ourselves 🩷 More or Less, the first chapter of my November series, As We Go, is now available! Come see what I’ve been thinking about lately What’s something you’ve grown to appreciate more as you’ve gotten older? • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MindfulLiving #LifeLessons #FindingJoy
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions on the page, I handed a few of them over to others and got curious about where their minds would go. There were no right answers and nothing anyone was supposed to figure out (the norm and same with my polls). I just wanted to see what might happen when different people were given the same information. And well… you tell me 💛 You Tell Me is now live • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #YouTellMe #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Curiosity #LetsTalk
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another possibility All Things Considered brings me to one more question What happens when considered what we reasonably can and there are still things we may never know? It’s the final chapter (aside from the bonus post coming out this coming Thursday) of For What It’s Worth, and maybe the most personal question I’ve asked myself along the way 💛 Read All Things Considered, now live | Part IIII | Week 43 | For What It’s Worth series • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #AllThingsConsidered #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #SelfReflection #Curiosity
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perception, perspective, and how much of another person any one of us really gets to see Different doesn’t necessarily mean someone has it wrong Sometimes it’s just means there’s more than one experience in the room 💛 Read “Same Difference” is now live | Part III | Week 42 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #SameDifference #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Perception PersonalReflectio
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
Kelci

Hi, I’m the creative mind behind Inspire Those Who Inspire You!

I’m a curious soul with a love for creativity, meaningful moments, and life’s little adventures.

I’ve always enjoyed taking in the world around me, noticing the little (often forgotten) details, and learning something new along the way. I’m fascinated by different cultures, countries, and the people who make each place unique. There’s so much to discover beyond our own little corners of the world, and I hope to experience as much of it as I can.

I’m happiest when I’m doing a little bit of everything. Give me an early morning sunrise, a good swim, a peaceful walk-through nature, or an interesting mystery novel, and I’m pretty content. I love a productive day, appreciate a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for animals, especially penguins, frogs, turtles, and a growing list of other fascinating creatures.

I also enjoy finding humor in life’s unexpected moments, especially the ones that don’t go quite as planned. Some of my blond moments have turned into hilarious moments because sometimes all you can do is laugh, and I certainly have plenty of opportunities to do that!

When it comes to creativity, I love experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me. Whether I’m writing, taking photographs, or creating colorful abstract artwork, I enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about how something is supposed to turn out. Sometimes there’s a story or deeper meaning behind what I create, and other times I simply enjoy the process.

Over the years, I’ve learned to take life a little less seriously, appreciate my individuality, and understand that kindness and personal boundaries can coexist. Being considerate of others matters to me, but so does treating myself with that same respect.

I value genuine connections, curiosity, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. One of the things I appreciate most about people is how differently we experience the world. Our interests, experiences, and perspectives all contribute to who we are, and I find that fascinating.

I tend to keep certain parts of my life personal, but this little corner of the internet gives me a place to share some of my interests, experiences, and creativity with others.

All in all, I’m glad you found your way here!

http://www.inspirethose.com
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