Have I been here for a week or a month...?

The Parque Central, Xela
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If you ask me what my first memory of Quetzaltenango (or Guatemala) is, you may expect me to answer the vibrating sounds of the marimba in the backgrounds, the soft taste of frijoles and tortillas or the stunishing views of the volcanoes and valleys? Nope. My first paradoxal glimpse that´s burned into my mind is that nobody glared, stared or came up to me to offer postcards, taxis or sweets. If I ever felt what the german shephard dog solely beeing brought up by labradors felt, when he suddenly encountered other shephard dogs, this must be the closest I got. Same skin, but mine slightly more pale and protected from the sun. Same hair, but mine with a 70 dollar cut. Same body, but mine is brought up on norwegian bread and milk. Same brain, but mine with the content of a free european education. The word "strange" could only describe my spanish accent, not the emotions within.

Parque Central and the morning papers
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Beeing borned here surtenly have its advantages (and disadvantages) depending on how good I manage to hide my spanish accent (including the ridiculous castillian "-th-" sound). That other backpackers and tourists come up to me once in a while while I am reading the local newspaper under the Arch in Parque Central to ask for directions is hillarious; especially if I reply in some nordic language.

If I ever felt what the german shephard dog solely beeing brought up by labradors felt, when he suddenly encountered other shephard dogs, this must be the closest I got.

Fuetes Georginas. Popular among locals.
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Spanish school and home-stay for 2 weeks is not only good value for money (300 USD por todo, including a "mama" who makes your food all days!). One could really relaxe in Quetzaltenango, or Xela. The activities on the afternoons arranged by the school is a perfect opportunity to get familier not only with the other students, but also locals. When I enjoyed an afternoon in the warm (not hot) springs of Fuentes Georginas, visited development projects in remote locations or simply ate a  home-made dinner "muy rico", prepared by on of the teachers mother, I  found it simple to talk about things that I and others had in common, doing the same things.

"Who is this guy?"
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My friend, Janna wondered if I had brought the western-norwegian weather with me, since there was some heavy thunder showers the first nights I spent here. after all rain season is on is way, but these last days have been like a good northern european summer. I was more worried about the earth tremble that woke me up the third night. Actually it was the shaking cupboard and the  shaking Crusified Lord above my bed that reminded me of where I was. The Western Highlands of Guatemala is certainly not at sleep, by any means.