Buenas Noches!
Today was our first day in Xela. The official name for the city is Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala behind Guatemala City. Xela is shortened from Xelaju (pronounced "Shey-la-hoo") the Myan name for the city. We are staying at the Hotel Villa Real Plaza right off the central plaza (parque). It is a wonderful area with many cultural spots within walking distance, not to mention lots of restaurants and cafes.
We explored the central cathedral, and the municipal building that had a beautiful garden area. We also went to the cultural museum that had a variety of information including Myan and colonial artifacts. Photos were not allowed but I did capture one picture of a tomb where they buried a prominent Myan. They always bury them in the fetal position and only prominent people in the community were buried all others were cremated....atleast that is the current understanding.
We then walked up to see the 2 theaters in the city: Theatre Municipal and Theatre Roma. Unfortunately, neither one has anything showing this weekend. I was hoping to maybe see a play or something, but that will have to be next trip! Only one was open to the public today because a graduation was going on in the Theatre Roma. After speaking to the locals we found out it was a university graduation. All family and friends were gathered outside after the ceremony so we had the opportunity to literally stand in the middle and be part of the culture....it was SO cool! I also got some great pictures of the local community. Side note: ice cream is a huge deal here and this event was like a carnival in the states. The ice cream boys were out selling and some were also selling cotton candy. Everyone was eating ice cream...everyone!
We had a lovely lunch at a restaurant off the plaza and shared a really unique vegetable pizza and red wine. We had a few textile cooperatives that we wanted to check out, but both were closed as it is Saturday. So we walked and walked around the plaza and surrounding areas and then had a coffee and enjoyed it in the plaza. I also called Adam for the first time and probably talked a bit long for the price of the call, but it was great to hear his voice!!!!!! Will be paying Gramma back for our 10 minute call!
We then came back and finally found online an open museum of art! I found it advertised online and we couldn't find anyone who knew what or where it was. We were persistent and finally found it. I am so glad we did. Walking in it is literally like a small studio with some art on the walls but most leaning on the floor. I read a magazine writer's review of it and he mentioned that Guatemala doesn't typically spend money for art and that the studio needs some updating and expansion. The gentleman that runs or owns it...not sure was, extremely kind and absolutely loved that we were interested in seeing the place. Now....as he was taking us around I saw a huge black rat run across the floor......like I said, it needs a little updating.
This gentleman is apparently a very well known artist but he was so down to earth and kept pulling more and more if his work out for us to see. He has been painting for years and mainly paints with acrylic and some oil. He was so humble and just simply enjoyed seeing us enjoy his work. He is probably in his early fifties and spent many years of his life producing art to be sold, but now he has created such a following in other countries that he will go for months at a time taking his art work and showing it all over the world. He said "I use to paint to sell, now I paint for pleasure." He says that he will be gone for months and only takes a thousand dollars with him and knows so many friends that invite him to stay that he doesn't have to spend any more than what he brings. Definitely an artist, free-living mentality. He was such a pleasant man and was so pleased that we liked his work.
To explain further, this man's painting are in famous art museums all over the world in France, England (Tate Gallery), Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, United States, all over Spain, and many more. He is REALLY good and he opened up many pieces of his work that he had rolled up....we probably saw atleast 20+ pieces of his work! His stories of his travels and mentality for art was fascinating. He also showed us where he teaches.....he has about 50 students that come for lessons, even young kiddos. He invited us to come see him teach on Monday morning and to have coffee with him and look at more art. I particularly fell in love with one of his pieces and asked if he would sell it......and he would. For how famous his paintings are, it is a very reasonable price.....but alas I had to come back and think about it. I can go back on Monday if we choose for coffee and more art work showings! I love art and I love getting to know the artist and the story behind the art! This was absolutely an experience I will never forget and placed it as one of my favorite moments of our trip.......I only wish Adam would have been there to share in the experience with us as he is my art-lover buddy!
We came back and had some hot chocolate on a rooftop terrace overlooking the plaza. The weather is much cooler here in the mountains and a hot beverage warmed us up! Tomorrow we have a tour at 8am that will take us to 3 or 4 different pueblos (small villages and colonial villages) outside the city to dig deep into the culture....O and it also takes us by natural hot springs! We are really excited!
Goodnight from chilly Xela,
Gramma & Kristin
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