Los Naranjos Spa - Mexico
Retreats
with Charles MacInerney
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KITCHEN STAFF
 April
runs the kitchen and is also the hostess for the retreat
center. It is April who anticipates our needs, and has fresh
homemade chips, salsa and guacamole waiting for participants
as they return from their free time spent on the beach,
or exploring the village, valley, waterfalls and mountains.
April is always ready to help
with minor emergencies (like running out of guacamole or
finding a palapa to rent so someone can stay a few extra
days in Yelapa). She is caring, and nurturing and loves
to please her guests. She has truly found her place in the
world, and it is in large part due to her presence that
our previous retreats have run so smoothly and proved to
be so popular.
April is very adventurous,
and loves to join in with the groups during those rare moments
when she is not actually cooking, or helping with one of
the aforementioned crisis. She is shown at right posing
in the Tree Pose, while balancing on a retaining wall.
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 April
is one of about 200 Americans, Canadians, and Europeans who
live in Yelapa during the fall, winter and spring months, and
return to their respective homes during the rainy season. She
knows everyone and everything in Yelapa, and is happy to share
her knowledge with those who are interested. She gives us a
rare look beneath the surface of a fascinating culture of artists,
musicians, dancers, writers, and other equally interesting people
who have made their homes among the indigenous people of the
valley.
Three of the palapas, including the one shown above, are two
story structures that sleep up to seven guests. The newest Palapa
is sequestered on the far side of the stream that runs through
the property. It is a bungalow with 3 rooms that sleeps six
guests, but could easily accommodate twice that many.
All of the Palapas have hot water
for showers and beautifully designed washrooms. Sinks are mexican
tile set in rosewood counters.
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Seen above are Julia and Challo. They assist April in the kitchen
and although they do not speak English they are very patient
with our attempts to speak Spanish, and are fluent in gestures,
knowing looks, and nods.
It is wonderful to see how they
relate to each other and to April and how much love and respect
they share for each other. In Yelapa there are no roads so food,
drinks, and all the other supplies we take for granted are carried
in from the beach. Above right is the traditional method still
employed by the villagers for transporting goods through the
valley. Of course, for heavier loads they bring in the donkeys
and mules which are to be found everywhere you look in the village
and the surrounding valley.
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This picture shows the dining room. This space is large enough
to comfortably seat 30 people for dinner. When cleared of chairs
it makes a wonderful space to do yoga.
Behind the camera is the kitchen
area and the serving table where food is set out for participants
to help themselves.
Behind and to the right of the
camera is the living room area with couches and a coffee table.
Accommodations
Gardens
Kitchen
Staff
Yoga Space |
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