We stayed at a sort of paradise-on-earth, resort-compound in Rodolfo's home town of Retalhuleau. Truly, it was a beautiful location. The resort is called IRTRA and besides the enormous amount of land they have set aside for accomodations and restaurants it has connecting theme parks much like Disney World with rides, shows, and fun. Rodolfo's godmother, Iliana, metioned that it has won an award for best resort in the world and I believe it. This place is manicured, the service was top notch and I felt safe and spoiled here. The above picture is of the house that we rented for a week on the Irtra property. The sad reality is, though, that beyond the walls of this resort, much poverty exists. Guatemala is a land of extremes and this gorgeous place is on the extreme luxury side of the equation. I felt guilty staying here because it was like a suspension of reality. But then I got to thinking about it, and I don't think one can quite define a place like this as "suspension of reality". Rather it is just reality without the bad. Because good and beauty are realities too and this place was full of both.
Guacamayas were strategically placed around the resort. These birds are native to Guatemala.
That I could grow hydrangeas to this enormous size! I'm jealous of the eden-esque fertility of Guatemala's volcanic soil.
Here is me and Georgia sitting next to what is supposed to replicate a Spanish fountain.
Gi-normous! If I'm not mistaken, this is the national tree of Guatemala.
Okay, I just had to put a picture of one of the gazillion pools on the hotel side of the resort. Can someone please say ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! We ate breakfast overlooking this pool.
Bougainvillea, oh that you too would grow in Oklahoma. Heaven will have this vine, at least I hope it does because I can't get enough of it!
We stayed at a sort of paradise-on-earth, resort-compound in Rodolfo's home town of Retalhuleau. Truly, it was a beautiful location. The resort is called IRTRA and besides the enormous amount of land they have set aside for accomodations and restaurants it has connecting theme parks much like Disney World with rides, shows, and fun. Rodolfo's godmother, Iliana, metioned that it has won an award for best resort in the world and I believe it. This place is manicured, the service was top notch and I felt safe and spoiled here. The above picture is of the house that we rented for a week on the Irtra property. The sad reality is, though, that beyond the walls of this resort, much poverty exists. Guatemala is a land of extremes and this gorgeous place is on the extreme luxury side of the equation. I felt guilty staying here because it was like a suspension of reality. But then I got to thinking about it, and I don't think one can quite define a place like this as "suspension of reality". Rather it is just reality without the bad. Because good and beauty are realities too and this place was full of both.
Guacamayas were strategically placed around the resort. These birds are native to Guatemala.
That I could grow hydrangeas to this enormous size! I'm jealous of the eden-esque fertility of Guatemala's volcanic soil.
Here is me and Georgia sitting next to what is supposed to replicate a Spanish fountain.
Gi-normous! If I'm not mistaken, this is the national tree of Guatemala.
Okay, I just had to put a picture of one of the gazillion pools on the hotel side of the resort. Can someone please say ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! We ate breakfast overlooking this pool.
Bougainvillea, oh that you too would grow in Oklahoma. Heaven will have this vine, at least I hope it does because I can't get enough of it!
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