The Perfect Day

Lake Petén, Guatemala

Our stay at Bolontiku Boutique Hotel reminded me of the part in Groundhog Dog where Phil Conners reminisces about the perfect night he once had and then embarks upon a quest for a great date and sex. The hotel and weekend were fairly perfect in most respects.

The cabana was phenomenal. Comfortable king size bed, air conditioning, 8 pillows, balcony overlooking the lake, our own router, giant made-for-sex shower, large TV with an HDMI input for watching the resurgent Minnesota Twins, $3 room service beers via a simple call down to the front desk.

We spent a day by the pool getting drunk and reading books. At some point I started playing 3-song sets of my current favorite musicians on my wifi speaker. Lifter Puller, Dillinger Four, David Bowie, Tom Waits, Frozen Teens, Rancid. We swam and embraced and made up stupid pool games like "wheelbarrowing."

We took a guided tour out to Tikal, the famous Mayan ruins. We hiked pyramids, saw monkeys, coati mundi, giant spiders, toucans and other rare birds.

The hotel staff was extremely indulgent. There was no set checkout time. The hotel was secluded on the far side of the lake, but you could take one of the hotel boats into town whenever you wanted.

I was there with a beautiful young woman. She was sweet and smart. She indulged me in my vices - essentially drinking and sports. Her appetite for sex was equal to or greater than my own.

But when the weekend was over she flew back to Minnesota and I stayed in Guatemala. Just as Phil Conners finds in Groundhog Day, the perfect day was not perfect enough for me.

She has since found a new lover, and I wish them both the best. I continue searching for the impossible.