Tuesday, March 11, 2008

El cuento de la Wasa

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!!

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.

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!