all things macadamanian - vahalla in guatemala

i hopped a chicken bus out to a finca [farm] where they grow macadamian nuts.  i'd heard a lot about this place.  VALHALLA .  mostly how good the pancakes were and how they had the most beautiful outhouse in all of Guatemala.  being somewhat well traveled i had to see this [el bano] but i was also interested in understanding the introduction of the macadamian trees as a sustainable economic and environmental solution for Guatemala.  

as you wander onto the property you are just in awe of the the care that has been taken to cultivate the farm.  it is a study of living with nature.

the Mac Giver

with a name like Valhalla i knew the owner would have a sense of humor and indeed meeting Lorenzo is a singular experience.  turns out he's the the guy who greets people as you enter the farm.  

i hardly know where to start.  he's been doing this for decades now and has been recognized on the global level of integrity in cultivating macadamian trees.  they have given hundreds of thousands of macadamian seedlings to indigenous communities to foster climate sustainability and address the serious lack of nutrition with the communities.  

he built a nut cracking machine from scratch and called it Mac Giver - it reminded so much of my dad i know my dad would appreciate the simplicity and elegance of such a solution to a common problem.   he also built a sorting machine that allows them to sort the nuts making sure that they are dried according to size.   all of this is practical for Guatamala and i was humbled by the work one couple has done.   

the sorter

three hours later filled with pancakes, vanilla/cacao/macadamian talk, lots of laughter, a tour, a facial and meeting his adorable wife i left feeling like i was a part of the family.  

and yes, the bathroom is probably the most beautiful in all of Guatemala.