hola todos.
Sorry its been a while since I've updated. Today was one of the coolest days of the trip... ok that's an exaggeration, but definitely the coolest day in Rancagua/Lo Miranda. This morning I got to sleep in til 8:15! Usually during the week I have been getting up at 6:30 for school. I got all ready, and even made breakfast for myself. Not gonna lie, it was really weird being all alone in the house. So then I had some coffee and continued reading my book. :)
At 9:30 country time so really like 10, the nana's daughter game to get me. Her dad brought two horses and we went riding. :) Man it had been a while since I rode a horse, but I love them! We went around the back of my house up a dirt path toward the mountains! It was a little cold and cloudy, but the ride was beautiful just the same. It was really funny because the country folk or wasos as they are called here are so different. they talk a lot faster and chop even more words off, but they stay in the country. The dad was born and raised in Lo Miranda and his whole family just stayed ehre, so I would be like oh what a cute little house and he's like oh that's my cousins house. And everyone says hi... we passed so many people working out ont he farm and they alls aid hi and how are you blah blah blah. it was amazing! I absolutely love this culture! <3
So we kept going and we climbed up the mountains and got to thyis lookout point where you can see the whole town. Its like this tiny little gray circle surrounded in just green trees all the way up the mountain side. Ont he way home we went through town. It felt so weird being on the roads but on horseback! I am just a total wasa now for sure!!! :)
I learned a lot about myself. I also thought I was a city girl. I remembered how scared I was when I found out I was getting placed in the country. Now, I don't think I would want it any other way. Sure, sometimes you have to wait to go because there is a heard of cattle crossing the street, but the benefits are immeasurable. The air is so fresh and its so serene. I don't think I have ever appreciated it. I really wouldn't be surprised now if I end up in the country now. And now as I am writing this I am watching the sunset over la cordillera de la costa costal mountain range, and its unbelievable! What am I going to do back in suburbia?? haha at least the mountains will always be here waiting for me! Somone told me remember though you can't go back in years you can always go back to that place. Let the 5 year countdown til I move here begin... :)
see you all soon!!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Instituto O'higgins
Hola todos!
So today started a new año escolar school year. Monday was the opening ceremonies. It was really cool. All the kids lined up by cursos grades, and they sang the national anthem, and then the school song. Though, the gringos have much more respect for our anthem. NOt everyone was quiet, no one places their hands on their heart, kids in the back where still wearing their hats. So weird! It was suprising becauses their is so much more love for their country than in the United States. Lots of other kids came back that have graduated as well. I hung out with Warrior and met his two little siblings, Gabriela y Manuel.
So for the rest of the week I have decided to go to school. I am in 3ºA Humanista. In Chile, the juniors have to decide basically what they will be doing with the rest of their lives. There are three sections: Biology, Mathmatics, and Humanitarians. My class has 8 hours a week of history, lots of Castellano Spanish class, and less Physics and Math. The others have more of those subjects. The teaceher I have for History is amazing! She is super sweet! We are unfortunately starting with ancient civilizations, so I am going to be learning about Mesopotamia again! I also have Philosophy with a crazy awesome guy! Plus, in math we learned factoring and that is actaully something I can do. In English, I am the dictionary. He makes the kids ask me how to say stuff he's written on the board. Today our homework assignment was to learn the "our father". I love going to a Catholic school and starting everyday out with the gospel and a prayer. Its a good way to start building community because you say different prayer requests.
Well that's about all I wanted to say. My friends all started leaving for the university this week, so there has already been a couple tearful goodbyes. Its hard to believe that my wonderful trip is finally coming to an end. Bittersweet as always.
So today started a new año escolar school year. Monday was the opening ceremonies. It was really cool. All the kids lined up by cursos grades, and they sang the national anthem, and then the school song. Though, the gringos have much more respect for our anthem. NOt everyone was quiet, no one places their hands on their heart, kids in the back where still wearing their hats. So weird! It was suprising becauses their is so much more love for their country than in the United States. Lots of other kids came back that have graduated as well. I hung out with Warrior and met his two little siblings, Gabriela y Manuel.
So for the rest of the week I have decided to go to school. I am in 3ºA Humanista. In Chile, the juniors have to decide basically what they will be doing with the rest of their lives. There are three sections: Biology, Mathmatics, and Humanitarians. My class has 8 hours a week of history, lots of Castellano Spanish class, and less Physics and Math. The others have more of those subjects. The teaceher I have for History is amazing! She is super sweet! We are unfortunately starting with ancient civilizations, so I am going to be learning about Mesopotamia again! I also have Philosophy with a crazy awesome guy! Plus, in math we learned factoring and that is actaully something I can do. In English, I am the dictionary. He makes the kids ask me how to say stuff he's written on the board. Today our homework assignment was to learn the "our father". I love going to a Catholic school and starting everyday out with the gospel and a prayer. Its a good way to start building community because you say different prayer requests.
Well that's about all I wanted to say. My friends all started leaving for the university this week, so there has already been a couple tearful goodbyes. Its hard to believe that my wonderful trip is finally coming to an end. Bittersweet as always.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Class Reunion!
So this weekend was excellent!!!!
Friday: I got to drive! whoo! I took my brother right here in town to the barber, Tio Manuel, and its so much fun driving down the country roads! It was cool to hang out with my hermanito too! Love that kid! Then we came home and my two best friends called me, Deirdre and Sumi! It was fun catching up! Though the time we talked wasn't nearly enough!! <3 Though, I'll be home soon enough. So after that, I got ready and went to a party at Merinos. He is a classmate of Diego's. So all my friends from 8th grade were there! I hadn't seen them in over two years!! We got all caught up, joked around. I got married... long story but it was H I L A R I O U S! I was telling a story... and they were like he wanted to get married? and this kid came up and was like who a chilean? And this kid, Mini, out of no where goes Yeah I proposed. And they were like what did she say? So I got yeah waht did I say? And he's like well you said yes of course! haha! Ohhh sophmores....
Saturday: Saturday my parents went to Santiago to finish setting up my older brother, Jose Pablo's, apartment. So i went and took La micro to the city all by myself and hung out with some friends. We walked around and talked. It was such a nice day. Well considering it never rains in Chilean summer, every day is nice. But it wasn't ridiculously hot or anything either. Then I had to get home before dark because the bus terminal that goes to the country is dangerous at night apparently. So then I had "once" with my family and went to a birthday party with the same group of frineds. It was totally chill. We just sat in his back yard and had an asado barbecue. Then this guy got out the guitar and they sang famous Chilean songs and some classics like Bacilos and Manà. It was nice. I just listened and laid out under the stars. Loved it.. and the boys are in choir here so they sing really well and harmonized. Plus now i have new bands to download too! YAY! Apparently CD's are ridiculously expensive here, but hopefully I can get a couple. Chilean bands rarely make it to the states... well actually out of Chile in general.
Well tomorrow is school. I am going to go see the opening program. Its sad that the summer is ending. Gotta figure out what I'm going to do with my time! Well... the little that remains anyway!
Besos y Abrazos!
Friday: I got to drive! whoo! I took my brother right here in town to the barber, Tio Manuel, and its so much fun driving down the country roads! It was cool to hang out with my hermanito too! Love that kid! Then we came home and my two best friends called me, Deirdre and Sumi! It was fun catching up! Though the time we talked wasn't nearly enough!! <3 Though, I'll be home soon enough. So after that, I got ready and went to a party at Merinos. He is a classmate of Diego's. So all my friends from 8th grade were there! I hadn't seen them in over two years!! We got all caught up, joked around. I got married... long story but it was H I L A R I O U S! I was telling a story... and they were like he wanted to get married? and this kid came up and was like who a chilean? And this kid, Mini, out of no where goes Yeah I proposed. And they were like what did she say? So I got yeah waht did I say? And he's like well you said yes of course! haha! Ohhh sophmores....
Saturday: Saturday my parents went to Santiago to finish setting up my older brother, Jose Pablo's, apartment. So i went and took La micro to the city all by myself and hung out with some friends. We walked around and talked. It was such a nice day. Well considering it never rains in Chilean summer, every day is nice. But it wasn't ridiculously hot or anything either. Then I had to get home before dark because the bus terminal that goes to the country is dangerous at night apparently. So then I had "once" with my family and went to a birthday party with the same group of frineds. It was totally chill. We just sat in his back yard and had an asado barbecue. Then this guy got out the guitar and they sang famous Chilean songs and some classics like Bacilos and Manà. It was nice. I just listened and laid out under the stars. Loved it.. and the boys are in choir here so they sing really well and harmonized. Plus now i have new bands to download too! YAY! Apparently CD's are ridiculously expensive here, but hopefully I can get a couple. Chilean bands rarely make it to the states... well actually out of Chile in general.
Well tomorrow is school. I am going to go see the opening program. Its sad that the summer is ending. Gotta figure out what I'm going to do with my time! Well... the little that remains anyway!
Besos y Abrazos!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wait where am I again?
What a night yesterday! It seriously felt like being back in the PR, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. hehe So my Papà had to go into Santiago for 3 meetings, which just happened to be in the same neighborhood as Nacho's, so I called him and he's like for sure, Seba is here too and we'll all hang out.
So the next day, I took the bus with my bro Jose Pablo into Rancagua. Its always an adventure. We were waiting for a colectivo by the highway which were all full. Then we waved to the bus or la micro and he just went by. Out in the country they don't come by that often. So 15min later we were finally on our way into the city. Then we had to take a colectivo from where they dropped us off to where my dad was meeting us. WOW! We finally got there though, luckily we were in chile and my dad hadn't even gotten there yet! :)
So my bro took his car, and I went with my papà to Santiago! I am seriously head over heels in love with that city. I saw the US Embassy and some other really cool buildings, since he was in the business secition of the city. Nacho and Seba finally showed up and we went to Nach0's house. His mom was there and she is from Argentina and has the cutest little accent. His sister Jose (Josefina) is studying art so it was cool to see some of the stuff she was working on. We watched Juno, and just hung out and talked. It was cool hearing about their trip to the United States. After his Dad resigned from his job they rented and RV and drove alllllll across the country. They even were in Chicago for the taste!!
So then we had some once pan con palta, bread with avacado, and chillaxed. Then we had to go pick up his friend Jose Manuel, and go meet my dad so I could go back to Rancagua. My papa was finishing up his meeting at... 9PM! I was shocked!!! They were at Starbucks and told us to meet them there. He's like its on Alfonoso Cordova and Vitacura. Not too bad, far from where we were, but we were like 15min we'll be there. We got there and I called him and I was like where are you? He's like outside... Im like know I am outside... Confused the guy was like there is another Starbucks 3 blocks down there and then take a right and its at the end of the street! Who would have thought that there would be two starbucks with in walking distance in Santiago, Chile!!!! I mean they are not as frequent in other parts because its double the price as America. Can you imagine Starbucks being even MORE expensive? WOW!
well that's my story for now! hope all is well!
So the next day, I took the bus with my bro Jose Pablo into Rancagua. Its always an adventure. We were waiting for a colectivo by the highway which were all full. Then we waved to the bus or la micro and he just went by. Out in the country they don't come by that often. So 15min later we were finally on our way into the city. Then we had to take a colectivo from where they dropped us off to where my dad was meeting us. WOW! We finally got there though, luckily we were in chile and my dad hadn't even gotten there yet! :)
So my bro took his car, and I went with my papà to Santiago! I am seriously head over heels in love with that city. I saw the US Embassy and some other really cool buildings, since he was in the business secition of the city. Nacho and Seba finally showed up and we went to Nach0's house. His mom was there and she is from Argentina and has the cutest little accent. His sister Jose (Josefina) is studying art so it was cool to see some of the stuff she was working on. We watched Juno, and just hung out and talked. It was cool hearing about their trip to the United States. After his Dad resigned from his job they rented and RV and drove alllllll across the country. They even were in Chicago for the taste!!
So then we had some once pan con palta, bread with avacado, and chillaxed. Then we had to go pick up his friend Jose Manuel, and go meet my dad so I could go back to Rancagua. My papa was finishing up his meeting at... 9PM! I was shocked!!! They were at Starbucks and told us to meet them there. He's like its on Alfonoso Cordova and Vitacura. Not too bad, far from where we were, but we were like 15min we'll be there. We got there and I called him and I was like where are you? He's like outside... Im like know I am outside... Confused the guy was like there is another Starbucks 3 blocks down there and then take a right and its at the end of the street! Who would have thought that there would be two starbucks with in walking distance in Santiago, Chile!!!! I mean they are not as frequent in other parts because its double the price as America. Can you imagine Starbucks being even MORE expensive? WOW!
well that's my story for now! hope all is well!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Santiago with a Santiaguino!
So I finally made it to Santiago. I am going to be honest, I really wasn't all that excited until the very last minute because so many people in Rancagua hate the city and all I knew is that it was over crowded and full of smog. What they didn't tell me is that it is absolutely BREATHTAKING! But let me not get ahead of myself...
The guy who was taking me around is named Ignacio or Nacho. I met him at San Alfonso and he is one guy even my Papà absolutely adores! yay! He invited me, but never called. Being a Chilean girl or attempting, I was forbidden to call him. Real gentlemen call. So he called my mama and didn't even ask for me. Apparently this is also very Chilean. Scumbags call you, and real guys talk to your parents? either way it made me feel special. He made my mama walk outside and confessed he had lost my number and asked for it again. Later after plans had been made to meet at the bus station, he called me to see if there was anything special i Wanted to do. :) I said Santa Lucia... so we said good night and I went back inside. If you don't know me well I always feel the need to walk around outside when talking on my phone.
Anyway, right after that my cousin got violently ill... she just started throwing up and other fun stuff... so we had to take her to the hospital. Its very latino that the whole family goes with the person to the hospital. So it was me, my mama, my aunt, and 2 cousins! WOW! We stroll up to the ER and she has to get an IV because she's dehydrated, but its just a virus. That is now in my house so I am crossing my fingers I don't get sick. The hospital is about 30 min by car, so Im pretty sure if there was ever a real emergency well we would just die! So we finally got home around 1:30 and I still had to iron my shirt and then everyone had to drink tea because that's how we roll here. So finally around 3am I got to bed. Then had to get up at 8:30!
Suprisingly, I was so excited I really didn't mind the lack of sleep. I got on the bus and read all the way there. My friend called me at about 11 to see if I was there and he's like look out the window... im like maybe I am in the city. I was definitely expecting something much more. I mean when you get into Chicago its most obviously a city. They retain the traditional latino architecture with colorful stucco and its cute. This kid took me everywhere. We went to the predisdent's office. She doesn't get to live there... she stays in her apartment from before. I also learned that the best doctors make more than the president. Hmmm... interesting. Then we went to see the house of Pablo Neruda. It was so beautiful. I am a huge fan, so it was cool to be there and be like oh my gosh he was in this house. He has this collection of colored glass as well and it was soo beautiful. Unfortunately, you can't take pictures in the house, but i bought some postcards afterwards. From there we went to this ski lift thing and saw the whole city from up above. The day was absoutely perfect... I am totally in love with Santiago and I would be content living here as well!!! I guess we'll seee.... hahha
The guy who was taking me around is named Ignacio or Nacho. I met him at San Alfonso and he is one guy even my Papà absolutely adores! yay! He invited me, but never called. Being a Chilean girl or attempting, I was forbidden to call him. Real gentlemen call. So he called my mama and didn't even ask for me. Apparently this is also very Chilean. Scumbags call you, and real guys talk to your parents? either way it made me feel special. He made my mama walk outside and confessed he had lost my number and asked for it again. Later after plans had been made to meet at the bus station, he called me to see if there was anything special i Wanted to do. :) I said Santa Lucia... so we said good night and I went back inside. If you don't know me well I always feel the need to walk around outside when talking on my phone.
Anyway, right after that my cousin got violently ill... she just started throwing up and other fun stuff... so we had to take her to the hospital. Its very latino that the whole family goes with the person to the hospital. So it was me, my mama, my aunt, and 2 cousins! WOW! We stroll up to the ER and she has to get an IV because she's dehydrated, but its just a virus. That is now in my house so I am crossing my fingers I don't get sick. The hospital is about 30 min by car, so Im pretty sure if there was ever a real emergency well we would just die! So we finally got home around 1:30 and I still had to iron my shirt and then everyone had to drink tea because that's how we roll here. So finally around 3am I got to bed. Then had to get up at 8:30!
Suprisingly, I was so excited I really didn't mind the lack of sleep. I got on the bus and read all the way there. My friend called me at about 11 to see if I was there and he's like look out the window... im like maybe I am in the city. I was definitely expecting something much more. I mean when you get into Chicago its most obviously a city. They retain the traditional latino architecture with colorful stucco and its cute. This kid took me everywhere. We went to the predisdent's office. She doesn't get to live there... she stays in her apartment from before. I also learned that the best doctors make more than the president. Hmmm... interesting. Then we went to see the house of Pablo Neruda. It was so beautiful. I am a huge fan, so it was cool to be there and be like oh my gosh he was in this house. He has this collection of colored glass as well and it was soo beautiful. Unfortunately, you can't take pictures in the house, but i bought some postcards afterwards. From there we went to this ski lift thing and saw the whole city from up above. The day was absoutely perfect... I am totally in love with Santiago and I would be content living here as well!!! I guess we'll seee.... hahha
Friday, February 22, 2008
Baila Gringuita
Hola todos!!
So Wednesday night starts the parties here in Rancagua. My really good friend Cata invited me to the discoteca here in Rancagua that's called Estudio 3. It was so much fun! We had "once" at like 10:30 and then we were talking, her mom was telling me how she met her husband.. then at 11:30 we showered and got ready. At 12:30 her friend picked up Catalina, me, and her brother Moncho. Moncho works there, so he put us on a list and we got in for free! It was so much fun because we messed with them pretending like I didn't understand a word of spanish. So the bouncer was like well I'll see you inside later. He found me at the bar with my friends and he's like you speak perfect spanish... I'm like uhh whooops!
So i met this guy Felipe... a friend of a friend of a friend who was there. haha and we were dancing. It was crazy. They played Reggaeton, English Music, Techno but nobody danced so they stopped and KUMBIAAAA!!! I am absolutely in love with Kumbia now! Its awesome! So then this crazy kid took me to the stage and me and all of his friends were dancing on the stage! it was freaking hilarious!!! And then he said for a Gringa I do very well! hahah!!
So we stayed until the disco closed at 4 am and got home around 4:45. Her mom had made us fruit salad and left us juice. It was seriously soo cute! Then we slept and slept and slept! It was sooo much fun and I simply cannot wait to go again!!
Hope all is well! love you all!
So Wednesday night starts the parties here in Rancagua. My really good friend Cata invited me to the discoteca here in Rancagua that's called Estudio 3. It was so much fun! We had "once" at like 10:30 and then we were talking, her mom was telling me how she met her husband.. then at 11:30 we showered and got ready. At 12:30 her friend picked up Catalina, me, and her brother Moncho. Moncho works there, so he put us on a list and we got in for free! It was so much fun because we messed with them pretending like I didn't understand a word of spanish. So the bouncer was like well I'll see you inside later. He found me at the bar with my friends and he's like you speak perfect spanish... I'm like uhh whooops!
So i met this guy Felipe... a friend of a friend of a friend who was there. haha and we were dancing. It was crazy. They played Reggaeton, English Music, Techno but nobody danced so they stopped and KUMBIAAAA!!! I am absolutely in love with Kumbia now! Its awesome! So then this crazy kid took me to the stage and me and all of his friends were dancing on the stage! it was freaking hilarious!!! And then he said for a Gringa I do very well! hahah!!
So we stayed until the disco closed at 4 am and got home around 4:45. Her mom had made us fruit salad and left us juice. It was seriously soo cute! Then we slept and slept and slept! It was sooo much fun and I simply cannot wait to go again!!
Hope all is well! love you all!
Monday, February 18, 2008
San Alfonso del Mar
Hola todos! I just got home yesterday from a wonderful 5 days in a resort in Agarrobo, Chile! I had such a good time! The place was huge... and that is probably an understatement. There is this lagun that stretches 1km where you can swim or windsurf or kyak. Unfortunately, they didn't rent kyaks only for owners but I went out in a kyak with my cousin and my new friends. We had such a good time! The water is salt water that they take from the ocean and they filtrate it and they put it in this pool. I was not expecting it to be soo salty and it was kinda gross.
There wasn't a whole lot to do. I did take a spinning class with my mama! It was sooo much fun to do together. We ended up just sweating and sweating and sweating!!! But the good kind of exhausting where you just feel totally dead. It was amazing!! hahahah.
I also found out I can play poker. I ended up winning 1,000 pesos!!! Sounds like a lot but it is really like 2 dollars. High roller!!!
The boys went to the cancha volleyball court and they just drank a lot and their freind played the guitar. It was funny because in Chile when people get drunk there were many who came up to me just to talk in English. It was hilarious!!!
Because my mama knows pretty much everyone, one of her former students was there. He was soo cute and such a caballero a gentleman. He invited me to come visit him in Santiago and he'll take my to la moneda where the president, Michelle Bachelet, lives right now. I am so excited. I have been to Santiago, but haven't done anything touristy! Maybe I'll even get to see Pablo Neruda's house! Well we'll see!!! I'll keep you all updated!! cuidense!!!
There wasn't a whole lot to do. I did take a spinning class with my mama! It was sooo much fun to do together. We ended up just sweating and sweating and sweating!!! But the good kind of exhausting where you just feel totally dead. It was amazing!! hahahah.
I also found out I can play poker. I ended up winning 1,000 pesos!!! Sounds like a lot but it is really like 2 dollars. High roller!!!
The boys went to the cancha volleyball court and they just drank a lot and their freind played the guitar. It was funny because in Chile when people get drunk there were many who came up to me just to talk in English. It was hilarious!!!
Because my mama knows pretty much everyone, one of her former students was there. He was soo cute and such a caballero a gentleman. He invited me to come visit him in Santiago and he'll take my to la moneda where the president, Michelle Bachelet, lives right now. I am so excited. I have been to Santiago, but haven't done anything touristy! Maybe I'll even get to see Pablo Neruda's house! Well we'll see!!! I'll keep you all updated!! cuidense!!!
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