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What to Pack

CLOTHING     The dress in Xela is casual, but neat. Suits and ties are seldom seen, but neither are dirty t-shirts and torn Levis. You should bring a warm jacket and some form of rain gear. Students studying in the months of December, January, February may want to bring a warm hat, coat and gloves. During the months of November to April, rain is rare but it can happen. From May through October, the weather is typical of a mountainous region: sunny mornings, followed by showers (sometimes heavy) in the afternoon or evenings. Temperatures in the afternoons are moderate to warm but nights and mornings can be very chilly and you should plan your wardrobe accordingly. Those who intend to participate in our projects or to hike in the surrounding mountains, will need clothing suitable to these activities. Waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. You can check the current and predicted weather in Xela on a number of websites, including http://www.accuweather.com.

A suggested packing list would include 3 pairs of jeans, three long sleeved shirts, two sweatshirts, three tee shirts, a bathing suit, a big towel, sweat pants for around the house, socks, undergarments and a pair of shorts. Also bring a rain jacket or coat that a sweatshirt can fit under. Layering is the name of the game.

LAUNDRY     There are several laundromats in Xela, complete with washers, dryers and full service at a reasonable rate. You can also was your clothes there yourself. Many families have women who come in to wash in the pila (tub) there at the house, and who hang the clothes out to dry. You can check with your family about cost, if they have someone available.

GIFTS OR TOOLS TO BRING      With regard to your house-warming gifts, probably such items as clothing, a special tee-shirt or sweatshirt with your college or hometown name on it might be nice as a gift, also jewelry, a special cassette or tape you would think would be appropriate and enjoyable. You can easily go generic with useful novelties like good penlight flashlights, decorative potholders, picture frames, or something like 64-size boxes of crayons. On one trip we brought a duffel bag full of various clothes which we were going to give to the school, and gave some of our family's children some of these clothes. They were very appreciative. A candle and/or holder, coffee cone/filters, a coffee cup, sports memorabilia (especially soccer) anything like this is usually a hit. We have also brought special coffee at one time, though now Xela have a couple coffee houses which roast coffee.

Items such as a hammer, or level, gloves, small items which can be used in construction and easily transported, all would be appropriate. You might think of some art materials for the school which they would like...poster paints, paper, pencils, a portrait book, any used Spanish books, etc. Your imagination and common sense will no doubt help you in the end.