Conquering Arachnophobia in Tikal

How’s this for spooky season? 🎃💀🕸️👹 This is the moment I overcame my ARACHNOPHOBIA 😱, meeting this wild tarantula 🕷️ on a trek through Tikal Ruins in Guatemala, Feb 2020 (before the global shutdown). I thought solo backpacking through Central America would be scary - turns out it would be nothing but fun and adventure. As harmless as this moment. Our guide used a stick to lure out a wild female tarantula (not part of a tour or tame), and granted an intimate opportunity to everyone who wanted to hold her. I “met” her and in this moment forever overcame my fear of spiders. It was especially helpful for the hike back in the dark when our headlamps revealed thousands of sparkly diamond features that were actually spider eyes everywhere🕷️🕸️ 👀. Nowadays when I see spiders, i release them, I find them beautiful, good luck, I thank them for doing their job and catching the bitey bugs. I admire their weaving art abilities and climbing strength, and think of them as inspiration while climbing 🧗 on rock. When you befriend your fears, life is much less spooky.