First Impressions of Xela

Not having written an entry since we arrived in Xela, we have lots to say. First of all, it is a whole new world here in Quetzaltenango! It is so different from the city. Life here is slower and less modern. Xela is quite a vibrant pueblo. You can only tell one lot or building from the next because the color of the paint changes. There is no space between buildings—they all share a wall with each of their neighbors. Probably the most colorful, though, is the traditional clothing of the women. Between their blouses (huipiles), skirts (cortes), and aprons (delantales), just about every color of the spectrum is covered, not to mention all the pattern variations. As we first approached the city I was amazed by the women balancing enormous loads on their head as they walked. Most of the time they had at least one child tied to their backs with fabric. Most of them walk with their hands free, even though they are carrying quite a load. I don’t know the history behind this custom, but as I have walked the streets here, I can see the advantages of having your arms free. There isn’t a straight, flat, or smooth street here. The roads are either dirt, cobblestone, or cement, and you are either going up or down at any given time. When there are sidewalks, they vary even more! Many of the roads are for one way traffic, probably because everything was built up before cars were an issue. We are enjoying the adventure of getting to know the city.