Xela, Guatemala
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I've decided it's time to keep movin .... on to the next espanol school and a warmer climate. It is so cold here that we are dropping out of class like flies! I knew it was going to be cold here in the mountains but I didn't realize it would stay cold all day. For the past two days we have all worn our coats the entire class. I had to get up this morning about 3AM and put my polar fleece on .... over the 2 layers I already had on. Why did I think everyone here would have a chimanea? I have enjoyed the hotel though, the food there is wonderful and very cheap! There are folks that stay there long term for work or whatever. I have met 2 Guatemalan university teachers in the cafe and we have had some pretty humorous discussions about Jorge Bush! They are having elections here this year and there are advertisments about the incumbant having discussions with his friend to the north, Jorge Bush, for advice on how to deal with such disasters as Katrina and Stan. Stan is the hurricane that caused so much devastation here in Sept 2005 and is still causing many problems for the people here
. It is very hard to get money from the bank here. They just won't give it to you. The story is someone (Secretary of Printing or something) forgot to sign the work order to get more dollars printed to replace the old ones. It wasn't discoverd for about 6 months and by then old money had already been destroyed so now there isn't enough to go around. People line up everyday trying to get their money. As for ATMs you just have to walk around and find the one they filled up for that day. It works til it runs out of money then that's it for the day. Travelers checks are the absolute worst...you have to bring a bank officer with you to get those suckers cashed.
I was able to grab a shuttle to Antigua for tomorrow morning at 7AM. I started working on that yesterday and again today. There must be 2 people to make the trip worthwhile for them. I've got too much stuff at this point to jump on a chicken bus so I was glad somebody else wanted to make the trip. I want to study spanish in a courtyard wearing my shorts and sandles. Posada de le Merced has a place for me so I'm heading that way. My neuvo amigos, Chris & Britta have already spent a week in a school in Antigua that they loved and are heading back to. I think I'll give it a try but there are many, many schools in Antigua to choose from. I have enjoyed my three days with my instructor here, Sylvia. She has to be the most patient person in the world to actually have a conversation with me in espanol.
Once I'm back to Antigua I'll be able to upload some new photos.
Pero es la vida mi amigos. Nos vemos!
