Photograph by Carlos Rivera, 2025

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Lens: EF-S, 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6, IS II

There's a tale in Aztec mythology that I always loved hearing my dad tell, it speaks about the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes’ origin. The legend says there was once the most beautiful princess ever, who loved a young Tlaxcalteca warrior. However, this was a period of war, and so the warrior asked for the princesses’ hand if he were to come home safely, the king agreed and sent him on his way to fight the Aztecs. One day, due to jealousy, a rival of Popocatepetl falsely informed Iztaccihuatl that her lover had died. The princess, inconsolable, died of sadness thinking this information to be true. Not long after, the soldier returned hoping to celebrate with his soon to be wife; which he couldn't, as he learned of what had happened. Mourning, he roamed the streets for days, until he decided to bury her in such a way to honor the great love that they had shared. So he ordered that 10 mountains be stacked on top of each other to serve as her grave. Once finished, he laid on top of the mountain with her body and kissed her one last time. With a flaming torch in his hand, he kneeled beside her so he could always watch over her while she rested. Now they remain together until the end of time, but every once in a while, when Popocatepetl's love for Iztaccihuatl cannot be contained, the volcano spews out the eternal flame that his heart holds to this day.

It is this same story that has accompanied me through my years of upbringing, as the Iztacciahuatl volcano is visible through my bedroom window.