I visited Merida, Mexico for the first time last month, June 2014. Business colleagues and friends advised me not to go due to the unsafe conditions of traveling south of the US border. “Have you seen the news? Please consider not going.” I simply smiled and thought to myself, the media only covers the negative, why would I take their word on where I should travel, so off I went.

Arriving late in the evening, it was hard to get my bearings and see anything as I took the taxi to the hotel. The experience inside the airport and hotel were complete with smiles and respect. There was no uneasy feeling of getting stared at, feeling like I needed to white knuckle my purse, or feeling afraid to ask for help or directions...