Xela (Quetzaltenango)

Two weeks ago I went on a trip with a couple volunteers to Xela, a big city near the Mexican border about 5 hours away by chicken bus. We have some Guatemalan friends who live there, so we got the inside tour of the city. Xela, also known as Quetzaltenango, used to be one of the biggest capitals of the Mayans (the Kiche tribe), so there is a good amount of traditional culture preserved there, and the Kiche and Maam Mayas there still use their typical dress. That being said, however, I found Xela´s nightlife to be hip and exciting. The central park is beautiful and resembles a European square. We visited some museums with ancient Mayan artifacts and exhibits, drank at some really interesting bars, and had meals at cafes overlooking historical buildings. Lots of volunteers come here to do projects with various organizations, so it was a great chance to meet and travel with new people.