Xela

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

We have survived the trip to Quetzaltenango in Guatemala.

We started our trek by taxi, from the marina to the city of San Salvador, where we stayed overnight in a very nice hotel near the terminal for the Pullmantur bus line.  The only reasonably priced place we could find for supper was at the Pizza Hut.

Pullmantur Business Class



Alamo Bus Terminal

The next day we were treated to a wonderful luxurious 5-hour bus ride to Guatemala City where we then had to take a taxi to another, very 2nd class, Alamo bus, which took us the remaining 3-1/2 hours to Quetzaltenango.  There we caught yet another taxi to a hotel for the night - a very nice boutique hotel near the center of the historic part of town.  We had time to wander around a bit and grab something to eat at a sort of "Tapa" restaurant - then some ice cream from the local Micky D's.

Yesterday morning we were picked up from the hotel by some staff from the ICA language school, who drove us to the home of the family with whom we will be living for the next two weeks.  In the afternoon, we explored more of the town and caught something to eat at a fast-food outlet and were able to buy some school supplies at a small local mall.  It was Sunday, most things were closed, and one of the roads here was blocked off for use by bicycles, kids and people walking their dogs - all in all a very peaceful day.  We got back to the house at 6:25 PM and at 6:30 the skies let loose with a real deluge for an hour or so - very good timing on our part.  I guess the rainy season has finally found us.



Musicians spotted at the mall



The ICA school at the end of the block

This morning we walked to school, about 3 blocks, for our first day's Spanish lessons.  I think we are both a little shell-shocked with the whole concept of going back to school.  Our lessons are 5 days a week, for 5 hours each day, from 8AM till 1PM.  It is quite intense with one instructor per student.  They also have some daily optional activities.  This afternoon, we were given a walking tour of the town, with an emphasis on the important and historical buildings, the explanations all in Spanish of course - it has made for a very long day. Now, we still have to do our homework before we can call it a day!

Note: Quetzaltenango is also know as Xela (pronounced Shay-la), and will be referred to by this much simpler form from now on - it is just too hard for me to type on this little keyboard!

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