Class and Conference in Xela

• George_r_hall's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Quetzaltenango

Trip Start Nov 11, 2006 Previous
Entry Trip End Nov 26, 2006 Next
Entry

  Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Wednesday, November 22, 2006

My teacher asked me to explain Methodists to her today! Who knows what I told her! She has never known a Methodist and really seemed to be interested. Either she will think better of us, or she will think we have 3 heads, depending on what I told her. I think I mentioned earlier that due to history and coincidence the Methodist Church here is almost totally associated with the poor indigenous people. No one in the city has ever known one. I think that during the war everyone and every institution had to choose sides. The Methodists chose the indigenous side. I think that they are still pretty closed to outsiders because you had to be, and it is a habit learned. Perhaps in the future they will be more open. I hear that they are doing great things, quietly.

I mentioned my long walk. There are benefits. I think I live in the equivalent of the suburbs. The houses are larger and more modern

Christina using the loom.

. I think I have the nicest, most comfortable house. I have a bathroom to myself with a REAL hot water heater (not the heater on the shower head) and a bath tub. I have been studying in a hot bath at night. My group mates roll their eyes when I tell them. Many of them share a bath with a large family, and its in a separate building so they have to go outside to get there. Everyone had a hot shower. I think that is a requirement of the school. There are modern appliances in my house too. It is on a hill above the city and has a terrace on top with a beautiful view of the city. I went up for a while last night to look at the city lights. And for the first time in years, I am sleeping on Looney Tunes sheets! My hostess is a very good cook. Things are good and healthy. I think they are influenced by traditional foods (the spices and sauces) but she has only cooked a few things that she told me are Mayan food. One night we had chicken with a sauce that she said was a traditional Mayan food, and one day a Tamale made with rice that she said was traditional. She was really surprised that they make Tamales with corn in the US.

It turned cold in Xela yesterday. It had been that wonderful weather with warm sun and a slightly cool breeze, like Georgia in spring and autumn, but now its cold. Actually not extreme, but colder. I wore my jacket for the first time in Xela yesterday. I have worn it when we were in the mountains but not while in Xela.

My calves are still sore from Volcan Chicibal and my rear is still a bit sore from the slide on top on El Baul, but otherwise I am well.

Today felt like a bit of a breakthrough

Some finished products.

. For about an hour of class time today I walked around Xela with my teacher while she showed me and told me about the government buildings (and I learned the vocabulary for them), as well as the local market, the municipal theater and other places.

I think when I come back I will be able to use the things I already knew better, and I will have a bunch of new stuff that I know but canīt use yet. I think that is the way it goes. Someone told me that they had been told that you would feel worse during the trip because the closer you get the more you realize what you donīt know, but after you get home you will realize how much progress you have made and you will feel better. Sounds good to me.

We attended a conference on womens rights in Guatemala and other womens issues here. It was put on by a womens cooperative.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

The Colors

The Spindle

The Spinning Wheel

Slideshow Print this entry Share Quetzaltenango hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry