Sunday, August 30, 2009
mi casa es su casa
I got a wonderful taste of the Chilean lifestyle this weekend visiting different places and getting a chance to see the various parts of the culture.
On Friday, the other students from USAC and I first went on a tour of our university, then proceeded to go throughout downtown Santiago, and get a feel for the city. The architecture in Mercado Central, one of the sections of the city, are breathtaking. Because we just got an overview of all the different places in the city, I don't want to go to in depth about each because I want to revisit these places and get an intimate feel for each of them.
On Saturday, I went with two other students to Cummings via the Metro to an all day fiesta. One of the girls from my program has a family friend back home in the United States who connected her to some people down here in Santiago. One of these friends then proceeded to invite her over to his house for a party in celebration of his wife being pregnant. The neighborhood this guy lives in is amazing. The houses were build hundreds of years ago, so the ceilings are much higher. I think something like 5 or 6 people rent out the house and upkeep the garden. What I liked most about this little adventure was that while at the beginning it was a bit uncomfortable to be at a party with only spanish speakers (some people did know a small bit of english), it did not take long to fit right in.
It's funny. I realize that I have not been in the country for too long, but I have noticed that there have been several occasions where it has actually been more difficult to speak english as opposed to spanish. Especially at restaurants and the pubs, where everyone around is only speaking in spanish, I tend to just forget I know english and legitimitely think in spanish. Hmm, who knew?
Today I had lunch with my host mom and one of her friends which obviously was a homecooked 3 course meal. Great, I hope you are jealous. I then proceeded to go downtown to Cerro San Cristobal, which is a famous hill in Chile. There is a large statue of Mary at the top and a wonderful view of the city. (I actually stole the pictures below from my friend, Abe--I haven't uploaded my pictures yet, and he is really good slash really in to taking pictures so these should be more exciting than what mine are)
One of the many views of the Andes mountain range. When I walk to and from my house to get on the bus or go to the metro, they are always there and they have yet to bore me :)
the popo: chilean style
(this is what makes this hill so important)
a view of santiago from on top of cerro san cristobal
p.s. to those of you who would understand this: i feel like ms. quinn would be super proud that i went here
On Friday, the other students from USAC and I first went on a tour of our university, then proceeded to go throughout downtown Santiago, and get a feel for the city. The architecture in Mercado Central, one of the sections of the city, are breathtaking. Because we just got an overview of all the different places in the city, I don't want to go to in depth about each because I want to revisit these places and get an intimate feel for each of them.
On Saturday, I went with two other students to Cummings via the Metro to an all day fiesta. One of the girls from my program has a family friend back home in the United States who connected her to some people down here in Santiago. One of these friends then proceeded to invite her over to his house for a party in celebration of his wife being pregnant. The neighborhood this guy lives in is amazing. The houses were build hundreds of years ago, so the ceilings are much higher. I think something like 5 or 6 people rent out the house and upkeep the garden. What I liked most about this little adventure was that while at the beginning it was a bit uncomfortable to be at a party with only spanish speakers (some people did know a small bit of english), it did not take long to fit right in.
It's funny. I realize that I have not been in the country for too long, but I have noticed that there have been several occasions where it has actually been more difficult to speak english as opposed to spanish. Especially at restaurants and the pubs, where everyone around is only speaking in spanish, I tend to just forget I know english and legitimitely think in spanish. Hmm, who knew?
Today I had lunch with my host mom and one of her friends which obviously was a homecooked 3 course meal. Great, I hope you are jealous. I then proceeded to go downtown to Cerro San Cristobal, which is a famous hill in Chile. There is a large statue of Mary at the top and a wonderful view of the city. (I actually stole the pictures below from my friend, Abe--I haven't uploaded my pictures yet, and he is really good slash really in to taking pictures so these should be more exciting than what mine are)
One of the many views of the Andes mountain range. When I walk to and from my house to get on the bus or go to the metro, they are always there and they have yet to bore me :)
the popo: chilean style
(this is what makes this hill so important)
a view of santiago from on top of cerro san cristobal
p.s. to those of you who would understand this: i feel like ms. quinn would be super proud that i went here
Saturday, August 29, 2009
rat tails+mullets= a problem
apparently, its cool to have a rat tail and/or a mullet here. im going to go ahead and stalk down some people to get a picture of this as evidence. and sadly, thats not going to be hard because its extraordinarily common.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
my life has been a complete whirlwind since i left monday. while tuesday into wednesday was moderately stressful, orientation has helped me settle in much easier than i had originally anticipated. as of yet, i have not met one person on this trip who is not amazing. i love the new friends i have made and am so glad our hotel stay happened when it did; im super excited to see what the next four months hold for me.
i met my homestay family today, which for me is a 50-something year old woman named Maria Elena. she has two children, but both are married and have moved out of the house. maria is wonderful :) she doesnt speak english, but is extremely pacient with my slow spanish. she cooked a huge lunch for me around 2 when we got home while i was unpacking all of my things and then afterwards we went to get my bip! card which is basically a smartTrip card, but it gets you on the bus and the metro. then we went to the grocery store and got some fresh fruits and veggies, im 100% sure her cooking is going to be the death of me.
we live in las condes, and there are other students from USAC in this area. to get to school, the fastest way is to take the bus to the metro which all together takes about 40 minutes. based on the cooking/food scene though im going to go ahead and say i am going to walk the 15 blocks to the metro station in the morning and depending if i can find a gym partner, ill go to the gym and shower before my classes.
we live in an apartment and there is a great view of the mountains from my room and from the balcony. its still amazing to me that you can be walking through the city and look over and see these wonderful snowcapped mountains in the midst of 70 degree weather.
finally, i want everyone to know that im making lunchin international. while sitting at dinner last night, i spread the lingo to the ladies at my table who live all over the US and then later in the evening to the chilean bartenders while at the pub. you can thank me later.
i met my homestay family today, which for me is a 50-something year old woman named Maria Elena. she has two children, but both are married and have moved out of the house. maria is wonderful :) she doesnt speak english, but is extremely pacient with my slow spanish. she cooked a huge lunch for me around 2 when we got home while i was unpacking all of my things and then afterwards we went to get my bip! card which is basically a smartTrip card, but it gets you on the bus and the metro. then we went to the grocery store and got some fresh fruits and veggies, im 100% sure her cooking is going to be the death of me.
we live in las condes, and there are other students from USAC in this area. to get to school, the fastest way is to take the bus to the metro which all together takes about 40 minutes. based on the cooking/food scene though im going to go ahead and say i am going to walk the 15 blocks to the metro station in the morning and depending if i can find a gym partner, ill go to the gym and shower before my classes.
we live in an apartment and there is a great view of the mountains from my room and from the balcony. its still amazing to me that you can be walking through the city and look over and see these wonderful snowcapped mountains in the midst of 70 degree weather.
finally, i want everyone to know that im making lunchin international. while sitting at dinner last night, i spread the lingo to the ladies at my table who live all over the US and then later in the evening to the chilean bartenders while at the pub. you can thank me later.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
culture shock
It is pretty much impossible to explain how I am feeling right now, but I know it is nothing short of being overwhelmed. The international flight was an adventure in itself. After getting to Dulles airport and getting through security without problems, I was feeling pretty good. We boarded the plane on time, but then because of mechanical problems we waited, and there were eventually asked to get off this plane after about 45 minutes. We were hoarded back into the loading area at which point we waited some more while the United Airlines people got their plans together and then moved down to another airplane. Everything was going smoothly until, oops, Dulles had started constuction on the runway we were supposed to go off without letting United know. We then waited in the plane while some sort of crew had to unload 15000 pounds worth of cargo so we would be light enough to lift up. Three hours later, we were in the sky :)
Immediately following our 10 1/2 flight to Argentina, we literally got off the plane, Lan Chile workers were waiting for us at the end of the gate so we moved from one gate to the other, without checking in or anything. It was pretty cool.
As for actually being in Chile, things are a little overwhelming right now. It is complete culture shock, but I think for the small amount of time I have been here it is already because more acceptable.
One thing I noticed is that there are wild dogs that just walk around the streets of Santiago, it is lunchin. And sad. I also went to the supermarket today, lets talk about an exciting grocery trip. I felt so American when all I could do was stare at everything in Spanish and not want to buy anything...ohh well, I'm going to nap now before dinner (I obvi forget they don't eat until 9ish) xoxo
Immediately following our 10 1/2 flight to Argentina, we literally got off the plane, Lan Chile workers were waiting for us at the end of the gate so we moved from one gate to the other, without checking in or anything. It was pretty cool.
As for actually being in Chile, things are a little overwhelming right now. It is complete culture shock, but I think for the small amount of time I have been here it is already because more acceptable.
One thing I noticed is that there are wild dogs that just walk around the streets of Santiago, it is lunchin. And sad. I also went to the supermarket today, lets talk about an exciting grocery trip. I felt so American when all I could do was stare at everything in Spanish and not want to buy anything...ohh well, I'm going to nap now before dinner (I obvi forget they don't eat until 9ish) xoxo
Saturday, August 22, 2009
time to go
Okay, so I hope everyone will constantly harass me to keep up with this blog. I am less than 48 hours away from leaving and I am super excited to get things going :)
Thursday was my last day of work, and I was happy to end with a chili themed lucheon at the Leisure World office. Since I got off, I have spent this entire weekend packing and making last minute adjustments from calling the bank to let them know whats up to buying a new suitcase and figuring out what I am bringing and what is staying here. I am going to go ahead and say that things won't get too interesting until I am boarding the plane on Monday night. It takes about 10 1/2 hours to fly down to Argentina and then another 2 hours to fly from Buenos Aires to Chile.
Kate, Loren (the two girls I am traveling with from Maryland) and I are supposed to arrive Tuesday afternoon and then we are taking a taxi to a local hostel to stay until the following day. Kate and I have orientation on Wednesday, and I meet my family on Thursday. My classes begin on the 31st, so I will be way busy until then.
Thursday was my last day of work, and I was happy to end with a chili themed lucheon at the Leisure World office. Since I got off, I have spent this entire weekend packing and making last minute adjustments from calling the bank to let them know whats up to buying a new suitcase and figuring out what I am bringing and what is staying here. I am going to go ahead and say that things won't get too interesting until I am boarding the plane on Monday night. It takes about 10 1/2 hours to fly down to Argentina and then another 2 hours to fly from Buenos Aires to Chile.
Kate, Loren (the two girls I am traveling with from Maryland) and I are supposed to arrive Tuesday afternoon and then we are taking a taxi to a local hostel to stay until the following day. Kate and I have orientation on Wednesday, and I meet my family on Thursday. My classes begin on the 31st, so I will be way busy until then.
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