While we still have lots of posts to come from San Pedro (since we’ve been living here for over a month), we thought we would jump into real time for a moment to share our latest news with you…
We have decided to leave San Pedro (gasp!) and head to Quetzaltenango (better known as Xela, pronounced “shay – la”) NEXT WEEK!
Surprised? So were we.
Just Sunday, we told our families via Skype that we would be in San Pedro for another month. On Monday morning, we read about the huge festival and fair in Xela for Independence Day called Feria Centroamericana de Independencia in the newspaper. At 16:00, I asked my teacher about it since she had lived in Xela for nine months. Although the festival is two weeks long, she told me the best days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September. At 18:00, I shared all that I had learned with Mike and at 18:30 we had a new plan… finish Spanish classes this week, leave San Pedro on Monday morning and arrive in Xela in time for the festival.
At first we were filled with excitement about the new adventure. Then, I was surprised to realize, the excitement gave way to anxiety.
Even though we’ve been away from home for two months now, it kind of feels like we’re leaving on our RTW trip all over again. San Pedro really has become a new home to us. And, as all you travelers out there would know, leaving home comes with the worries of packing, planning, researching (although we tend to this more in the thick of things rather than ahead of time), and making reservations (especially since the city will be packed for the festival).
All of a sudden, we had too many groceries left to eat and not enough time to see the sights we still want to see in San Pedro (not to mention, climb the Volcano that’s been calling to us since Day One).
There’s an easy solution here, though… after Xela, we’re going to return! At least that’s the plan, we think… who knows what will happen between now and then?
Xela here we come!
I have heard many good things about San Pedro and will be going there in January, maybe just before we go to our resort. Thanks for keeping everyone in your loop.
Helen
San Pedro is a neat place. It’s got all the local culture you could want, and no shortage of touristy restaurants and bars to hang out in. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
HELEN SUKOVIEFF – What’s your current email address? I’m trying to figure out if I can take over as administrator of the laptop-booking system you set up at Sheldon.
MIKE & ASHLEY – I’m so excited that you’re heading for Xela! Brings back memories of getting smoked out on the Cuesta Blanca, wild watermelons on the shores of stinky river, and stray mangy dogs riding the bus. Good luck!
We’re excited for Xela too! Thanks for for all your Guatemala travel tips!