The ins and outs of Xela, Guatemala
I know, I know… It’s just that I’ve been busy getting back from Shanghai and then getting ready for Guatemala, I haven’t really had time to update the blog.
I could write 100 more posts on China, but for everyone’s sake, I won’t do that, but please, if you have any questions about China whatsoever, or just want to talk about it, I am MORE than happy to talk/answer questions. Like I said before, there is still so much to say about China. You can email me at dgarciap@haverford.edu or find me on campus in the fall!
Now, Guatemala… I arrived into the Guatemala City Airport and had a van waiting to take me 4 hours Northwest to Quetzaltenengo, Guatemala. If anyone is confused, the people call Quetzaltenengo Xela (sh-ela). I arrived on a Sunday, which is a rest day for the entire town of Xela, so I found my host family, moved in, and relaxed. Xela is an old town with short connected concrete buildings that can only be told apart by different color paint-jobs. Imagine walking around town as if you were walking past a rainbow, passing every color. Anyway, the clinic/school that I am volunteering is quite unorganized, and because of that, we only have a few projects to do, which means a lot of free time. We plant trees in the mountains on Tuesdays, and build stoves on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The other days are basically free, with the option to go to “La Guarderia” which houses children for after-school activities and provides a place to finish their homework. The way the person was describing it, it sounded as if the children needed all the help that they could get. However upon going there, it seems to be quite the opposite. La Guarderia attracts children who enjoy learning and do their homework without being told twice and with great success. I have gone back a few times to help out any way I can (including teaching a little bit of English).
The town of Xela is very tranquil, with a number of outdoor markets selling every type of meat/seafood/vegetables and a lot of hair gel. Xela also has many internet cafes, restaurants, churches, etc.. so its a challenge to find things to do everyday, but it is challenge that is being met and will continue to be met.
It’s great to be in a country where I can speak/understand/read the language!
Hasta pronto