Xelajú

Quetzaltenango otherwise known as Xelajú (Xela for short) is where my sights are set. Xe laju' noj is translated to mean “under ten mountains” in reference to the mountains and volcanoes surrounding the city (yay/scary for volcanoes!). In addition to the volcanoes there are a variety of geographic points of interest like thermal water beds, valleys, mountains and rivers. Xela is one of the biggest Mayan modern cities, which I don’t know about you, but I think the Mayans are/were pretty awesome. Twenty-one indigenous Mayan languages are spoken in Xela and the surrounding areas in addition to Spanish. The strong Mayan influence is part of why the city considers itself the “La Cuna de la Cultura” (The Cradle of the Culture) and you know how I love culture. Finally, there are many great language schools in Xela. One I found particularly interesting is the ICA Language School.