Born and raised in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bruno is a local nature guide and partner of Na'atik through the Balam Nah eco-tourism and lagoon. Passionate about the environment, wildlife and our beautiful local surroundings, you might meet Bruno if you book one of our bike tours or go kayaking at Balam Nah. How long have you been providing excursions for the Na'atik students on your bike tours and to Balam Nah lagoon? / ¿Cuánto tiempo ha estado ofreciendo excursiones en bicicleta y en la laguna Balam Nah para los estudiantes de Na'atik?I have been working in partnership with Na'atik for approximately 3 to 4 years; offering different eco-experiences in the local area, to the students.Llevo aproximadamente entre 3 y 4 años trabajando en alianza con Na'atik; ofreciendo diferentes experiencias con identidad, a los estudiantes. Tell us a bit about your job and what you do at Balam Nah. / Cuéntanos un poco sobre tu trabajo y lo que haces en Balam Nah.At the moment we are developing new excursions and adventures with our friends and family. I am a nature guide in Balam Nah where we do cycling, hiking, bird watching, kayaking and jungle camps. Our activities seek to connect with and be a part of the daily life of the communities and places we visit, interacting with our surroundings without changing the environment. We respect, appreciate and thank Mother Nature. We are part of it and it is a part of us.Bien, por ahora nos encontramos desarrollando con amigos y familia nuestros propios emprendimientos y movimientos; también soy guía de naturaleza en Baalam Nah donde realizamos actividades de ciclismo, senderismo, observación de aves, kayak y campamentos en la selva. Nuestras actividades procuran ser parte de la cotidianidad de las comunidades y los lugares que visitamos, interactuando con lo que nos rodea sin modificar el entorno. Respetamos, contemplamos y agradecemos a la madre naturaleza. Somos parte de ella. What made you want to do this as a job? / ¿Qué te animó hacer el trabajo que haces?I was encouraged to do what I do today by what my parents and grandparents taught me - respect nature and the relationship we have with it, as well as share all that knowledge with other people. In addition, I believe it is necessary to contribute to the preservation of our identity, Maya culture and natural heritage.Lo que me anima hoy en día a realizar lo que hago es lo que me enseñaron mis padres y mis abuelos, respetar la naturaleza y la relación que tenemos con ella, así como compartir todo ese conocimiento con más personas; Además, es necesario contribuir al rescate de nuestra identidad y patrimonio natural.What’s your favorite thing about Felipe Carrillo Puerto? / ¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de Felipe Carrillo Puerto?The warmth of its people and the jungle that surrounds it.La calidez de su gente y la selva que lo rodea.What do you like about interacting with the Na'atik students? / ¿Qué te gusta más de interactuar con los estudiantes de Na'atik?I have always liked meeting people with different ways of thinking and living. That's why I enjoy the activities I do with the Na'atik students. It is a good way to learn and each share what you know.Siempre me a gustado conocer personas de diferentes formas de pensar y vivir. Es por eso que disfruto las actividades que realizó con los estudiantes de Na'atik. Es un buen medio para conocer y compartir lo que uno conoce.When someone comes to Felipe Carrillo Puerto to study at Na’atik what’s the one thing you would tell them they have to do before they leave? / Cuando alguien viene a Felipe Carrillo Puerto a estudiar en Na’atik, ¿cuál el la cosa más importante que le sugeririas que haga antes de quitarse de Carrillo? I would recommend that they see the jungle, the local lagoons and interact and appreciate the daily life of the people here.Les recomiendo conocer la selva, sus lagunas y la vida cotidiana de la gente. What’s your top tip for someone learning a new language? / ¿Cuál es tu mejor consejo para alguien que está aprendiendo un nuevo idioma?Lose your fear and dare to try, sometimes it works and you get it right and if not, you learn.Perder la pena, el miedo y atreverse, a veces funciona y si no, aprendes.

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The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.