NOTE: This Newsletter is sent to subscribers, friends, business  associates and advertisers on my classified ad site. This is NOT UCE or SPAM everyone on this list has contacted me in the past or subscribed to this newsletter. 

Xela Pages will NEVER provide its subscriber list to ANYONE. We respect the privacy of our readers.  If you would like to be removed from this newsletter list, send an email to: 

mailto:unsubscribe@trafficman.com 
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New Web Address!!! 

Xela Pages now has it's own domain: 

http://www.xelapages.com/ 

Please visit and bookmark the site! 
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE 
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1.   Current conditions in Guatemala? 
2.   Spanish Schools in Quetzaltenango 
3.   Sponsor Information 
4.   Travel Journal - By Ted Eiferman 
5.   Travel Writers Wanted! 
6.   How Antigua Became My Home  by Nancy Hoffman 
7.   Publishing  & Advertising Information 
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1.   What are the conditions in Guatemala? 
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Guatemala was the least effected by Hurricane Mitch.  We have had regional flooding and some road closures during the first two weeks after the storm.  However, today all main roads are open and passable. 

Tikal - Open, buses running 
Copan Hondorus - Open 
Panajachel - Open 
Antigua - Open 
Quetzaltenango - Open 
Ruins at Quirigua - Closed until first week of December 
Rio Dulce - Open boats running 

If you have specific questions about a particular place email me and I will do my best to find out the situation for you. mailto:xela@trafficman.com 

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2. Spanish Schools in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala 
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Here is a listing of 14 Spanish Schools in Xela. 

I have checked all these schools out myself, they are good schools and they all run a similar program: 

5 hours daily one-on-one language training 
7 days homestay with Guatemalan family - 3 meals included 
Daily and weekend planned activities 
Volunteer Opportunities for those who choose to participate 
Price $100 to $150/week - This can not be beat!! 

Casa Iximulew - http://www.xelapages.com/iximulew/ 
mailto:iximulew@trafficman.com 

ICA - http://www.jps.net/freedom4u/ica  
mailto:ica13@xelaenlinea.com 

Utatlan - http://www.xelapages.com/utatlan/ 
mailto:utatlan@trafficman.com 

Juan Sisay - http://www.xelapages.com/juansisay/ 
mailto:Jsisayxela@c.net.gt  

La Paz - http://www.xelapages.com/lapaz/ 
mailto:lapaz@trafficman.com 

Minerva - http://www.xelapages.com/minerva/  
mailto:EscuelaMinerva@hotmail.com 

Miguel Angel Asturias - http://www.xelapages.com/asturias/  
mailto: maasturias@c.net.gt 

Proyecto Linguisticos Para Todos http://www.xelapages.com/paratodos/ 
mailto:eductodos@quik.guate.com 

Kie - Balam - http://www.super-highway.net/user/moebius/  
mailto:moebius@super-highway.net 

Centro Maya de Idiomas - http://www.centromaya.org  

Miguel Angels Asturias - http://www.spanishschool.com/ 
mailto:info@spanishschool.com  

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4.   Sponsor Information 
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Making Money Online - Does It Happen?  The answer is Yes! 
Click below for a guided tour of how to Make Money and have Online Success! 

http://www.online-group.com/osg/107/ 

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3. Travel Journal  - By Ted Eiferman 
     http://www.xelapages.com/journal.html  
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Here is the journal I kept for our daughter as I traveled to Guatemala in 1997. We were there to adopt her. 
Please use it as you see fit. If it can help other, great! 

Ted Eiferman 
Web Master for Project for the People of Paraguay http://www.intercall.com/~strick/paraguay/ 

Father to Tommy (5, Paraguay) and 
Cassie (2 in December, Guatemala) 

(Editors Note) 

Thank you Ted - Your submission is appreciated by all! 
You can find Ted's Journal at: 
http://www.xelapages.com/journal.html 

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5.  Travel Writers Wanted! 
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I am looking for people who would like to share their travel knowledge with my subscribers.  You do not have to be a professional writer, just someone who has an experience to share.  I can not promise you that I will publish your article but all articles will be reviewed.  Submit your experiences to 
mailto:articles@trafficman.com 

Thank you! 

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6.  How Antigua Became My Home - Nancy Hoffman 
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“How Antigua Guatemala Became My Home” by Nancy Hoffman 

     While working in Denver Colorado, it  as very important to me to know and use Spanish in order to communicate with many of my clients there.  I decided to take a short vacation to Antigua and “check-out” Spanish schools. 
     After arriving at the airport and not knowing how to communicate with the immigration and custom officials, I then had to get myself to Antigua.  Thankfully, there were other “gringos” also going to Antigua, and we all found a shuttle. 
     I checked-in to the “Bugambilia” hotel and immediately ate a wonderful “typical” breakfast of  eggs, beans, platanos, cheese, tortillas and coffee. 
     Instead of going to my room for a nap, I decided to walk the streets in search of a school.  Little did I know there was one school on every corner! 
     After looking at and talking with several schools, I decided I wanted a place that was pretty to be in, had afternoon activities, and especially had people who spoke English, so as to minimize my “culture shock”. 
     I chose the ALM school and they set me up with a family to stay with.  I was enjoying my experience so much, I decided to stay a little longer. 
     Being that I am the youngest in my family, my mom decided to visit and make sure all was o.k. 
     At that point, I took a break from my spanish studies and volunteered my time at a travel agency of a Guatemalan friend of mine. 
     While translating his itineraries into English, I got to know a friend of his. Luis and I spent many hours talking - with my Spanish/English dictionary close at hand. 
     Well, mom finally came to visit.  In 10 days, we went to Panajachel, Chichi, Todos Santos, Zunil, Tikal, Copán and  Rio Dulce.  Mom met my new friend Luis, and wondered if I was ever going to return to the USA. 
     Almost 2 years later, I am still here.  Luis and I were married, and though I no longer rely so much on my dictionary, I still consider myself a student of the language. 
     Luis and I have opened our own Travel Agency - VISION - where we focus on tourist services.  We both want for tourists to be able to explore and enjoy Antigua and Guatemala.  We have many guidebooks to look through, and we sit down with every client to plan their itinerary, answer questions, or just catch up on world events. 
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Our office: VISION - Servicios Turisticos - is located at: 3a. Av. Norte #3 (Casa de Mito). 
You don’t have to buy anything to stop in and say “hello”.  We look forward to hearing your stories! 
http://www.cyberwebsite.com/vision 
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7.  Publishing & Advertising Information 

Xela Pages Guatemalan Newsletter is published online from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. 

This newsletter will be published at least once a month or more often as the situation warrants. 

If you would like to advertise in this newsletter send request to 
mailto:xela@trafficman.com 
Cost will be $5.00/issue - until further notice 

Have a great trip!! 

Tom Lingenfelter - Editor 
4 Calle 19-48, Zona 1 
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala 
+(502) 765-2072 
http://www.xelapages.com/ 
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