To Guatemalans, Quetzaltenango is known simply as "Xela," a shortened version of its Mayan name. It's the second largest city in Guatemala, and it is relatively quiet and safe. It attracts many foreign language students and trekkers seeking to climb many of the surrounding volcanoes. There isn't much to see in the city itself beyond the Parque Central.
Holiday decorations in the Parque Central.
Stoa in the Parque Central.
Along this covered street are a number of fun restaurants and bars. The place really felt like a train station. Volcan Tajumulco, 4220 m (13,845 ft)
For New Years, I embarked on a trek to the summit of Volcan Tajumulco, the highest peak in Guatemala as well as in all of Central America. We began the journey in the morning of New Years Eve, and camped for the night about 200 meters below the summit. Around 4:30 in the morning on New Years Day, we awoke and hiked to the summit in time to catch the first sunrise of 2008.
Gathering firewood.
It was COLD that night.Left to right: Pedro, Gonzalo, and Chris.
The first sunrise of the new year.
Me and Saul, the guide.
Left to Right: Alan, Me, Kadir, Chris, and Patrick.
The crater.
Taking a break before the final descent.
Fuentes Georginas
A couple days before the Tajumulco climb, I got sick. The next day I decided the best thing for my chilled and aching body would be a soak in the local hot springs. The soak did prove quite therapeutic, but the journey there and back was not. The transportation from the hot springs to Xela is a bit sketchy, but, through a combination of chicken bus, camioneta, walking, and hitchhiking, we managed to make it there and back.
Chris and Patrick on the way to the hot springs. 
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