we're guatemala bound!

In 5 hours I will be Guatemala bound--or at least Atlanta to Guatemala bound. Sarah is already en route via LA, in what i last heard was a small plane that we are hoping can accommodate the rather large backpacks that give the perception of us "roughing" it. We are. One backpack for three months...impressive.
Now I wish I could answer all the questions I have been asked about what we are doing and where we are going and the places we will see, but for right now I can only tell you bits and pieces--and by that I mean what tomorrow will bring. Tomorrow I will fly into Guatemala City where I will meet Sarah (see side picture). Ideally, because Sarah will have been there for 5 or so hours waiting for me she will figure out how to get us from Guatemala City to the Highlands of Quetzaltenango and perhaps if I am even enrolled in the school (a last minute detail that apparently slipped through the cracks...)Described as what "may be the perfect Guatemalan town--not too big, not too small, enough foreigners to support a good range of hotels and restaurants, but not so many that it loses its national flavor...Xela attracts a more serious type of traveler--people who really want to learn Spanish, and then stay around and get involved in a myriad volunteer projects. It also functions as a base for a range of spectacular hikes through the surrounding countryside--the constantly active Santiaguito and highest point in Central America Tajumulco volcanoes, and the picturesque, fascinating three-day trek to Lake Atilan to name a few."

In Xela (city's abbreviation, pronounced shell-ah), we will be going to "school" to learn Spanish and hopefully do some volunteering. We are fairly certain that we will be living with a family and attending classes, which are described as 5 hours of tutoring. We will also be spending a week up in their Mountain Again, we don't REALLY know what any of this means, but you can check it out for yourself at: http://www.hermandad.com/

Beyond this we will be playing it by ear, which may make some of you nervous but don't worry. we will keep you updated and if nothing else, you can know that we will end up at the Yoga Farm in Costa Rica. It's going to be WONDERFUL.
Will miss all of ya'll! Check back and we will keep you updated!
XOOX!!

KJ
(ie-- Kah Jota en espanol)