Good bye Xela, hello San Pedro

Hola Amigos,
how would you react, if you were requested to start the engine of your car inside a small, closed garage and to push down the gas pedal for at least 90 seconds? Beside thinking: Why should I do this?, you might say: That would be no big deal!, under the condition the car`s windows were closed and I was able to escape immediately afterwards. But imagine now, you were not allowed to get out of the garage?
Exactly this was the situation we encountered in Xela, when we were walking down the narrow streets particularly at 6 pm during the rush hour. We never suffered from headache so much like in the last two weeks, even without drinking any alcohol.
Actually the air pollution was not enough to make us leave Xela. The people and teachers in our school were so nice, our family we stayed with so friendly, the served food so delicious and the nightlife so inspiring that we were willing to stay 4 weeks, strictly following our anouncement ahead. But the last drop to overflow the cup, was the lack of a heating in the tiny learning boxes of our school. Xela has an elevation of 2200 m (7300 ft). In November the temperatures drop down in the night to 5 celcius (46 fahrenheit). Although I was wearing woolen socks, five layers of shirts and fleeces my hands were cold like ice cubes and my nose was prolongated by a drop of salty water dangling on the tip. That is why my dear wife refused to kiss me all the time.
Yesterday she has done it again, because we are now staying in San Pedro, a little, beautiful village which is located next to one of the most famous lakes in Central Amerika, the lago Atitlan. The lake fills the bottom of a huge crater (ca 300 m, 1000 ft deep) and is surrounded by a bunch of volcanos. It invites its visitors to different sports activities like hiking, kayaking and swimming. Water and air are clean, and the temperatures move between 19 and 28 celsius (66 - 82 fahrenheit). This is definitely one of the most gorgeous places in Guatemala and all we can say is: wow!
Yesterday, when we were passing some fancy restaurants, the smell of burned gasoline was replaced by the sweet odor which usually is released by smoking a dried, green plant. All over the world the consume of this plant is related to reggae music, dread locks, hippie fashion style and a more then laid back attitude. San Pedro is no exception.
On monday our Spanish classes will continue outside in a nice garden next to the beach. We are looking forward to having some wonderful days in San Pedro ...