Xela has sucked me in and i have to fight to break free. I am not sure what it is about the town that is keeping me there. The town itself, while having some charm, is not too exciting to look at. But i have had a fantastic time there.
the school and those at it have been great - in and out of school. (In VA i was going out 3 or so times a week. I am only up to 4 in Xela.) One thing i like about Xela is that it has a small town feel. While it is the 2nd biggest city in Guate, I (and most gringos) limit most of my time to a small part of the city. When i walk down the street, there is a good chance i will run into someone i know - be it a fellow student, one of the many (female) Dutch volunteers, or a local from the dance school. I think i could walk the streets of arlington for a week and not run into anyone i know. it is a good feeling here.
On sunday, i met a mayan woman trying to sell various cloth goods. she was in Xela for the first of the month market. i talked to her for a bit because her english was quite good. today, when was wandering the streets of this town, i run into her again and she remembered me. i figured it had somehting to do with my striking good looks, but i have a feeling it may have had to do with me wearing the same clothes (Thunderbird t-shirt) that i was wearing on sunday. I still didn{t buy anything from her but i told her that i would look for her on the street tomorrow and see what goods she has to offer.
I will leave Xela for good (for now) next week. After a few days here in Panajachel, I will go back to Xela to climb Central America´s highest peak. Tajumulco (or some such spelling). 4200M+. it should be windy and cold. Good times - unless all your cold-weather gear is in the States.
I should do okay though.
bjm 4 december 2007
5 comments:
Thanks for the update; it affirms my sense that you're having a good time even if you're not fluent. A sense of humor transcends the barriers between cultures and languages ---- so you score A+ in that skill.
Meanwhile - we've had more than our share of snow and of below 20 degree temp. Plowman is sick and his truck broke down, so I schlepped the groceries up the front stairs and made it without throwing myself into a snow drift.
I got warmed up thinking of you in a T shirt. Maybe Xela is your land of Oz, but watch out for the man behind the curtain!
Keep those messages coming. ti amo
hi
we're having a blog lesson. JJM is having a pity party cuz his comments go nowhere.
Back in 2 minutes. mom
I have enjoyed reading what you want us to know.
I'm seeing if this works when I do it alone. My peace flows to you.
Dad
B: keep those posts coming. It is great to read about your adventures. Leaving should really test your language skills - be sure to let us know how it went/goes.
How about that 4,200m climb...how was that?
I read today about a 59 yoa man who just joing the '576' club. He has climbed all 48 of NH's 4K's in each of the 12 months of the year (12x48!). Only a few (crazy) hikers have accomplished this feat. I do not plan to be one of them!
mm
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