Tranquila

For me, there something almost magical about Xela. It is not by any means a Venizia or the country side of Ireland, but it is welcoming and comfortable. Through all of the stress and nerves of learning a new language, I have found myself some places to decompress and relax. Por tranquila. My favorite local outing with the school thus far was Fuentas Georginas, a natural spa with pools of water so warm and relaxing, just thinking about it puts me back in my relaxed place. The scenary surrounding the spa was just as rich as the water itself. It felt otherworldly. Mom and Sarah, a place not unlike what Ann McCaffery could imagine for Pern. It was, as my teacher would say, un lugar que es muy rica! My second home away from home, is a quaint coffee bar-wine bar that is a little whole in the wall. El Cuartito. The decor is random. There are chairs on the wall. I can barely walk around becuasue at any time of day it is full of people...well the 15 people who would be able to fit in there at any given time. I treated my self to a mango mojito for my birthday. (One day late becuase my stomach was fighting with me at the time).
In the time I have been here (suprisingly only about 2 weeks) I feel like I know pieces of Xela well. I feel like I have a home. My host family is such an integral part of my experience in language school. I have been taken care of as more than a guest, and almost family. The mamá of my house, Marta, is such a wonderful guide (guía) and has such a generous heart! She took care of me when I got ill this past weekend. I attended my first primera communión of the hija de mi casa, Virginia. She looked like a princess. In her mind, I think she was trying to look like Snow White on her wedding day, and in my opinion she was a success. I hope to maybe have a dress that pretty for my wedding...but probably not!!! Her family had a huge party that afternoon, and it was fun (rather exhausting as well) to be surrounded by family that were celebrating such an important day.
We chose to come to Xela during their rainy season. Every morning the skies are clear and the sun is shining. By afternoon it gets dark, and rain pours down. Some days I am a little grumpy with the rain, but all I have to do is look up and I see the mountains surrounding Xela that look greener every time it rains and find an amazing reason to smile. We are so high up, but there are mountains even higher surrounding us! I did find an umbrella in the mercado for Q10! (10 quetzales...a little more than a dollar...not to shabby no?)
Some days I hope that the time flies by so I can make it to the Hogar, but there are other days, like today, when I realize, taking time to soak up the culture of Xela, is an experience unlike many I have had. A first in what I hope to be many adventures to come! Tomorrow will bring 5 more hours of spanish, more rice and eggs than I care to admit, and rain, but without a doubt, I will find... tranquila.