1000 Americans: Rico Novelo, Caye Caulker, Belize

Rico is one of the few inhabitants of Caye Caulker, that was born and raised there.

After a hurricane destroyed most of his fishing gear, he changed to fixing boat engines and renting out some houses on their land. Now, in his 70’s, he still loves his small island…

1000 Americans: Mr Marin, Caye Caulker, Belize

Where other restaurant owners would be busy around lunch-time, Mr Marin took his time to read his newspaper in his restaurant on ‘Go Slow’ Caye Caulker, Belize.

1000 Americans: Nathalie, Sarteneja, Belize

Nathalie is one of the many new Belizeans: originally European, but she has since emigrated to Belize.

First to study, but later she enjoyed the more relaxed life-style, away from the rat-race and she started building a small ecologically friendly resort, the Backpacker’s Paradise.

1000 Americans: tamales seller & grandson, Orange Walk, Belize

The old guy was proudly selling his small bucket of home made tamales, a corn-paste filled with meat (usually chicken, including bones, so take care) or vegetable, steamed and delivered in oily banana leaves.

His wife made the tamales as home and together with this grandson, he tried to sell all of them on the side of the Central park, Orange Walk, Belize.

1000 Americans: Carol Lee, Biscayne, Belize

Carol Lee and her friends are enterprising women, running a supermarket and a small eatery near Biscayne, on the Northern Highway of Belize.

Her daily specials do not change much: you can choose your Rice & Beans to go with ‘fry fish’, fry chicken’ or ‘fry beef’…

1000 Americans: Theo & Marcus, Bullet-Tree Falls, Belize

Marcus and his girlfriend Theo have left the rat-race in the US and found their luck the tropical jungle of Belize.

Marcus is teaching science and computing to local kids, while Theo is running The Parrot’s Nest, a collection of huts and tree-houses in the Jungle, a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Their kids play in the river, teasing giant lizards and spotting the toucans sitting in the trees high above.

1000 Americans: Enrique, Cancun, Mexico

Enrique manages the Hostel Quetzal, a great haven for all kinds of travellers that come to downtown Cancun. Like most Mexicans, he is as helpful as possible, making sure your stay is great and his smile rarely leaves his face.

1000 Americans: Cook Amberina, Cancun

Amberina is a cook and saleswoman at the Palapas Square in downtown Cancun to tourists and locals alike. She makes about 15 different tortas: sandwiches, filled with meat and/or vegetables and some avocado, you can then add more veggies or spicy sauces to your liking.

The daily menu, which does not seem to vary in weeks, includes a refreshing drink, together it costs 20 pesos, about USD $1,50 for a nice lunch.

1000 Americans: balloon seller, Puebla, Mexico

Armed with a huge smile, this friendly fellow sells all kinds of balloons to Mexican tourists, visiting the Zocalo of Puebla.

He enjoys the city and is already looking forward to the independence celebrations that are scheduled for next year, the public clock behind his mobile shop is counting down the days.

1000 Americans: Miguel & Popo, Mexico

Popocatepetl is the active volcano close to Mexico City.

Miguel has been living close to the volcano for many years and has captured the many eruptions as well as the beautiful flora and fauna surrounding the volcano with his camera, rising before dawn in the hut he is guarding and living in, at 3800m/13,000ft altitude.