Today is Tuesday and am only just recovering from the 24 hours travelling. We were greeted at the airport by a man in uniform and wearing a holstered gun. He took us to the hotel which had locked gates at the front and we had to be let through. The next day we set off through the town and I noticed that most shops and businesses in Guatemala City had armed guards at the entrances. So did the buses. This concerned me a bit but I Xela is nothing like it.
To reach Xela (pronounced Shella) we had to use the mountain road that was recently reopened after mud slides due to heavy rains. The journey took us over 6 hours. We had to keep moving to opposite sides of the road to avoid mountains of mud or bits of missing road.
The hotel we are in is very basic and am sharing the room with 2 girls. I imagine that ours is 5 star compared to the homes that the families live in who we will be working with.
I'm writing this as I wait to go for lunch. We have visited two schools so far this morning and am building in confidence as I am now regularly introducing myself in Spanish. My group are now clapping me as my introductions are getting longer.
After lunch we will be visiting another school. We have had been made very welcome and at the first school the children lined up and sang and clapped us as we approached. It was very moving and was made to feel like royalty. I felt very humbled.
I haven't managed to get Wifi access in the hotel yet and as soon as I do I will upload some photos.
The weather is warm when the clouds get higher. The altitude is 12000ft (I think) and Xela is nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. One minute it is bright and the next it is foggy as the cloud drops.
I changed some money (not that much) into the local currency and have a wad of notes. I feel quite rich.
Julie Clarkson
07764 976479
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