They call it an "ecological hotel." It's really a resort for people who'd normally turn up their noses at the idea of a resort.

Finca Ixobel is described by Lonely Planet as a "backpacker's Shangra-La." And it is quite relaxing, enjoyable, and the food is great. The only problem is we all supposedly came here to see Guatemala. And we're walled off behind locked gates, safely away from any possible contact with actual Guatemalans.

"Instructive color brochures."
Everything's just a bit too easy for a trip where I'd planned to have to fight a little bit to get what I wanted. The meals, accommodations, even organized activities are all laid out in front of you... many with instructive color brochures. And it's even cheap, as you'd expect from a place that caters to backpackers. You check in and are given your own blank page in a communal looseleaf notebook. You then eat everything you want, go on whatever trips you want and stay as many nights as you want... trusted to write each thing down on your sheet. Quite the honor system for a bunch of people trying not to spend any money.

We had a bit of a scare this afternoon. It was very quiet... as you might expect from rural Guatemala. And suddenly there was the sound of a NASCAR event as at least twenty RV's from the US and Canada all arrived at once.

The RV'ers Have Arrived

They paraded out of these things and loudly tried to check in. I now understand what some people mean when they refer to the loud Americans. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the convoy paraded off a few hours later. I was worried they were gonna try to park right by the treehouse we're staying in.

I'm still hanging out with Aaron and Rinat, who are quite laid-back and very fun to travel with. A shout out, by the way, to any friends and/or family of theirs who are checking in. They're doing very well. Certainly better than me during my illness of the last couple of days. But I'm better now and all is well.

"We who sneer at pack-minded tourists..."

The Cave Tour

Tomorrow may bring either horseback riding or a cave tour. There's seriously like a menu of activities and you just pick one and go. I'm surprised they don't come out and ask you if you'd like fries with your jungle trek. But we who sneer at pack-minded tourists who line up for their luxury bus packaged tours dutifully sign our names on the neat little board for our pre-packaged adventures.

But it's a nice place. I just can't help but point out the irony... or is it hypocrisy... of it all. And if I weren't as guilty of it as anyone else I wouldn't be here.... and having a good time.