GUATEMALA 2007

We spent two weeks from August 10 to August 25 of 2007 in Guatemala at a Spanish immersion school located in Quetzaltenango--known to Guatamaltecos simply as Xela (pronounced SHAY-la).

The trip was planned rather quickly after some fare shopping revealed that spending two weeks in a Guatemalan school polishing off our Spanish would cost roughly the same as our first vacation plan, driving from Madison, Wisconsin to the Canadian Rockies.

Since time was tight and the main objective was school, we didn't see as much of Guatemala as most tourists who come to experience the country as a whole. We did, however, find the people of Guatemala to be extremely friendly and quickly felt at home both in the city of Xela and became close with our host family.

That didn't keep us from taking photos though. Below, you'll find links to pictures in six categories: our luxurious hotel, pictures around Xela, some markets, a few outside sights, our school, and where we stayed.

Hotel Quinta Real (Guatemala City)
Besides the airport, our one and only stop in Guatemala City.

Xela (i.e. Quetzaltenango)
Guatemala's second largest city and former capitol of all of Central America is where we spent the bulk of our two weeks.

Markets (Xela & San Francisco el Alto)
We always enjoy markets and took some shots of La Democracia market in Xela (which was just a few short blocks from home) and the Friday market at San Francisco el Alto, one of the biggest in the country.

Sights (Roads, San Andrés Xecul, and Salcajá)
A look at the countryside between Guatemala City and Xela, and our daytrip to San Andrés Xecul and Salcajá, two pueblos near Xela.

La Democracia
Photos of our Spanish immersion school, our classmates, and instructors.

Home Stay
Part of the program is staying with a local Guatemalan family. Here's a look at our accommodations and the terrific family we got to know while on our visit.