Safe trip to Xela

Well, I left Jackson, MS on an early Monday morning flight and arrived safely in Guatemala City at 11:30 a.m. This is the capital of Guatemala and the pollution from the automobiles fills the air. In fact, many people walk with their faces covered to prevent breathing so much exhaustion from the cars and trucks that are driving anywhere they want to on the road. It is scary for a first timer to this otherwise beautiful country.

The bus for Quezaltenango (Xela) left at 2:30. I had read about the dangerous bus drivers and thought nothing about them, but once I was on the bus I was glad that I was not seated in the front. It was scary at times when the bus driver was so close to the bus in front of us that I could have reached out and touched the other bus. And when we passed another bus in the middle of a curve I closed my eyes and prayed (constantly). So, yes, the stories in the travel guides are true.

It was a long 4.5 hour drive in the rain. However, the other passengers were all friendly to me knowing that I was a gringo. The indigenous people were very colorful in their dress and at least I had them to admire since the rain was pelting on my half-closed window. As we climbed the mountain it did get cold. Finally at 7 p.m. we arrived in Xela, which was a long ride without a bathroom. I immediately took a taxi to my hotel, Casa Dona Mercedes, where I was able to experienced relief along with a hot shower.

Xela, the 2nd largest city in Guatemala, is in the western highland region at about 8000 feet . And because it is so high up I have experienced some altitude hotheadedness. My first week here in Xela will be to walk around the city to get my bearings of the area and to interview several of the schools that I am interested in. Some of them have a few students (1-10) to as many as 30 students. I am watching what I eat so that I do not get stomach problems, but next week when I start living with a local family I know that when I begin to eat their food I will probably get sick then; then I will have arrived.

I have not taken any pictures yet, but promise to get some soon.