Xelaju

Xela just is where I will spending most of November. The official name of the city is Quetzaltenango but nobody who lives there uses that name.  It is located about one hundred miles NorthWest of the capital Guatemala City and lies at 7000 feet above sea level. It is the second largest city in Guatemala with about 200,000 people and has a 50/50 mix of indigenous Quiche Maya people and Ladinos (European Culture).   The economy is based on agriculture, especially coffee, and serves as a market town for many of the highland towns.  There are several universities in the town and a large regional hospital where I will volunteer.

This is about the tenth time I have been there since 1997 and the only changes i have noitced is the buses are no longer allowed in the city center due the narrow streets and traffic, and the proliferation of American fast food outlets.

Surprising to many foreigners is that it gets very cold in November and December with temperatures at times close to freezing.  There are few places with any kind of heat so people sleep a bit later and wait for the sun to warm things up.

It's always an adventure getting there as the roads have big curves, steep climbs, and buses that will pass around blind corners.  Toss in the road bandits and frequent blockades form various groups of the disgruntled and you better be ready for the challenge.