Its not that things are getting less exciting, but things are starting to feel more normal and that's why I'm not crazy-blogging-a-lot.
I had SPAN 331 today, the class that wanted to make me cry last week because it was my first class here and I didn't understand hardly ANYTHING. Well it went much better today, thats for sure. He talked a little slower and always asked us if we understood. I kinda hate this guys teaching style, but I know I'm interested in the stuff he's teaching :) Just have to remember to study. On a side note, he looks funny. He has longish blindingly white hair and also huge bushy blindingly white eyebrows that flow over the top of his glasses hahahaha and he makes weird faces while he lecures.
Today after that class I ran around the U de C's track with Hayley, Brenna, and Cheryl. Actually, Brenna and Cheryl ran and Hayley and I jogged, haha. Hayley and I did manage to go 2.5 miles though, AND did some abs work outs, AND did some lunges. I was super intimidated by the super athletic guys playing soccer in the middle of the track, but Hayley said last week they were whistling and shouting at them as they ran so I'm just greatful they didn't do much of that today. There was one time a guy missed the soccer ball he was passing back and forth with a friend and I grabbed it and kicked it back. Well Hayley and I kept running past them and I hear them all hollar and I realized he passed me the ball and I had no idea so they made fun of me for missing. Haha.
I think I'll keep running with them after class. Its starting to get nicer out too. Can't wait to not wear my winter coat all the time, and not have SEVEN quilts/blankets/comforters on my bed! (NO JOKE). My hands are freeeezing right now as I'm typing. When I was packing for Chile, it was summer back home, so it was hard to get in the mindset that I would need a lot of warm clothes. Therefore, I wear my underarmour like every other day haha.
I think I'm going to the TV studio with Vlado again tonight. That'll be fun! Tomorrow I only have class from 10 to 12 with Luz, after that I'll almorzar con mi familia, and after that I think they're showing me more of the city :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Chile tiene playas MUY bonitas
I was forced to start my day when Lindsay came over for almuerzo around 12:30 maybe. (Lindsay is una gringa who was a friend of my host family's past gringa. She lives on an island in Washington state and she's been here before as well as Nicaragua to study. Tiene 23 años). We had empanaditas de queso (fue MUY bueno) and some more pastel de papas with veggies. I ran to the panaderia with Sarita to get some fresh bread. I guess they do that practically every day!
Well when Sarita and I came back, her, Lindsay, and I went to a park about 15 minutes away with a bunch of different Chilean trees in it. It was so cute and interesting! They had kids activities and games there about recycling. (too bad Chile doesn't recycle much, but at least they're not as wasteful as Americans.)
Ugh, I hate to say it, but just look at my Facebook pictures to see what beauty I managed to capture.
Lindsay speaks very good Spanish, prolly cuz she has lived in SA for over 2 years total of her life, but its intimidating when we're with her and my family so I don't talk much. I also figured out I can't talk much in the morning, haha, and my Spanish is best at night.
After the park we went home to wait for Saritas brother, my host uncle I guess, and he took Sarita, Lindsay, and I to a beach. It was the place where the Bio Bio river meets the ocean and it was breathtakingly beautiful! Even though it was rainy and windy, such a beautiful sight to see. I cant wait to go when its not raining, or even warm out!
There was a chiquitito restaurant close to the beach we went to and we went there for some seafood empanadas. Best empanadas I've had so far! There were crab and cheese in some, and a rare chilean fish and cheese in the other. With that we had this drink that was like, wine and fruit and sugar. I forgot the fruit's name but its definitely uncommon and not in the United States!
After that I came home and skyped with my family sans Robert for about two hours! I filled them in on the past 11 days or so.
Something I forgot to blog about last night, is the hilarious way Chileans would try to hit on us gringas. All of you who took Spanish for a few years and then then tried to forget it all, there's always one phrase you remember, right? And thats "Hola, como estas?" Well the Chileans that took English in high school will come up to us and say "Hello, how you?" and then when we respond, they have no idea what to say! Its soo funny. They'll yell that on the street too!
My familia chilena keeps calling me "gringa delgada" (skinny girl) and I'm afraid they're secretly trying to make me more fat by feeding me all this bread.
OH Hilarious side-note!
Earlier I blogged about the Chileans cracking up when they'd ask Sonni "Te gusta pisco?" and she'd say "CHUPALO!" Well I found out why that was so funny. They were ACTUALLY saying, "Te gusta pico?" And pico is a slang word for penis! So Sonni would respond, suck it! hahahaha oh Chile. I love Chile.
I don't know if I documented that I had my first pisco drink last night. It wasnt anything special, it was just pisco and coke which they called piscola. It was deeelicious. Pisco is kinda like a wine, but its hard liquor. VERY strong. Gringas have to be careful. I want to try a pisco sour, I hear its practically the national drink of Chile.
I just had a great chat with my dad about giving Gays/Transgenders rights. We both agree all people deserve the same rights, no matter what you are or who you love.
I swear I love my family more and more each day.
Well when Sarita and I came back, her, Lindsay, and I went to a park about 15 minutes away with a bunch of different Chilean trees in it. It was so cute and interesting! They had kids activities and games there about recycling. (too bad Chile doesn't recycle much, but at least they're not as wasteful as Americans.)
Ugh, I hate to say it, but just look at my Facebook pictures to see what beauty I managed to capture.
Lindsay speaks very good Spanish, prolly cuz she has lived in SA for over 2 years total of her life, but its intimidating when we're with her and my family so I don't talk much. I also figured out I can't talk much in the morning, haha, and my Spanish is best at night.
After the park we went home to wait for Saritas brother, my host uncle I guess, and he took Sarita, Lindsay, and I to a beach. It was the place where the Bio Bio river meets the ocean and it was breathtakingly beautiful! Even though it was rainy and windy, such a beautiful sight to see. I cant wait to go when its not raining, or even warm out!
There was a chiquitito restaurant close to the beach we went to and we went there for some seafood empanadas. Best empanadas I've had so far! There were crab and cheese in some, and a rare chilean fish and cheese in the other. With that we had this drink that was like, wine and fruit and sugar. I forgot the fruit's name but its definitely uncommon and not in the United States!
After that I came home and skyped with my family sans Robert for about two hours! I filled them in on the past 11 days or so.
Something I forgot to blog about last night, is the hilarious way Chileans would try to hit on us gringas. All of you who took Spanish for a few years and then then tried to forget it all, there's always one phrase you remember, right? And thats "Hola, como estas?" Well the Chileans that took English in high school will come up to us and say "Hello, how you?" and then when we respond, they have no idea what to say! Its soo funny. They'll yell that on the street too!
My familia chilena keeps calling me "gringa delgada" (skinny girl) and I'm afraid they're secretly trying to make me more fat by feeding me all this bread.
OH Hilarious side-note!
Earlier I blogged about the Chileans cracking up when they'd ask Sonni "Te gusta pisco?" and she'd say "CHUPALO!" Well I found out why that was so funny. They were ACTUALLY saying, "Te gusta pico?" And pico is a slang word for penis! So Sonni would respond, suck it! hahahaha oh Chile. I love Chile.
I don't know if I documented that I had my first pisco drink last night. It wasnt anything special, it was just pisco and coke which they called piscola. It was deeelicious. Pisco is kinda like a wine, but its hard liquor. VERY strong. Gringas have to be careful. I want to try a pisco sour, I hear its practically the national drink of Chile.
I just had a great chat with my dad about giving Gays/Transgenders rights. We both agree all people deserve the same rights, no matter what you are or who you love.
I swear I love my family more and more each day.
Discotheque Time.
Chilean Discotheques = ten times better than American clubs. Not only did all my dance partners ASK me to dance, but we actually DANCED. Like faced each other, spun me around, moved our hips DANCING to Latin American music. I don't know if I'll ever go to an American club again where creepers just come up to you and start grinding away.
Before the discotheque, the majority of the gringos on my trip went to this apartment super close to campus to party before the disco. We met them before class one day, there are about 10 students who are in a certain department at la U de C who help out foreign kids (us) and so we all got their numbers and they said they'd show us around school/Conce.
That was SUPER fun. I brought over half my wardrobe to Jess's house to see what to wear, but she didn't know either because she hadn't been to a discotheque yet as well. (I did manage to bring over some shoes for her that matched her shirt PERFECTLY.) Well Hayley's brother picked us up and dropped us off at la Plaza Peru which is like, a universal meeting place for students (its right in front of campus). Then we found the Chileans we were meeting and walked just a few blocks to their apartment.
Right away there was food, drinks, and dancing! I learned some pretty sweet Chilean dances, not traditional, but to popular music. I have GOT to ask one of them to share their music with me.
Well anyways, lots of us kept going out on the balcony because it was getting so hot in there and it was a super cool view of the street.
A little after 12 we practically RAN a few blocks to this station to catch a bus to get to Knockout, the discotheque. Funny there are many things with American names here. Anyway we get there so fast and early to get in free. I was told it didn't matter when gringos got there becuase we always get in free, but whatever. It was almost 1 and NOBODY was dancing yet. So of course, all the other gringos I was with were pretty hammered, so they ran out to the middle of the dance floor. I'm pretty sure chileans were making fun of us for starting so early but none of us cared, and the chileans liked it anyway, ha.
Oh by the way here's the webpage for Knockout: http://www.k-o.cl/
Well soon the Chileans started filling up the floor too and we dance for a long time. Eventually Cheryl and I were dancing with these two guys who seemed to be friends. Mine was a good dancer, Cheryl's.... was not, haha. We kept trying to dance with each other to shoo them away but Chileans don't take that as a hint. My partner dropped a burning ciggarrette on my toe and I was like, lets tell them we're going to the bathroom, hahaha.
The club was soooo hazy and I swear the music was louder than I've heard it in any American club I've been to. Eventually I started feeling super nautious and super faint and Cheryl had to keep watching that I didn't fall over.
Hayley, Cheryl, Lindsay, and I called Lindsay's brother for a ride home at FOUR in the morning! He's really cool like that. He couldn't believe we weren't staying out till six like the rest of the country, ha.
Today I'm going to some park and I really gotta get outa bed and shower soon, before almuerzo. Chao!
Before the discotheque, the majority of the gringos on my trip went to this apartment super close to campus to party before the disco. We met them before class one day, there are about 10 students who are in a certain department at la U de C who help out foreign kids (us) and so we all got their numbers and they said they'd show us around school/Conce.
That was SUPER fun. I brought over half my wardrobe to Jess's house to see what to wear, but she didn't know either because she hadn't been to a discotheque yet as well. (I did manage to bring over some shoes for her that matched her shirt PERFECTLY.) Well Hayley's brother picked us up and dropped us off at la Plaza Peru which is like, a universal meeting place for students (its right in front of campus). Then we found the Chileans we were meeting and walked just a few blocks to their apartment.
Right away there was food, drinks, and dancing! I learned some pretty sweet Chilean dances, not traditional, but to popular music. I have GOT to ask one of them to share their music with me.
Well anyways, lots of us kept going out on the balcony because it was getting so hot in there and it was a super cool view of the street.
A little after 12 we practically RAN a few blocks to this station to catch a bus to get to Knockout, the discotheque. Funny there are many things with American names here. Anyway we get there so fast and early to get in free. I was told it didn't matter when gringos got there becuase we always get in free, but whatever. It was almost 1 and NOBODY was dancing yet. So of course, all the other gringos I was with were pretty hammered, so they ran out to the middle of the dance floor. I'm pretty sure chileans were making fun of us for starting so early but none of us cared, and the chileans liked it anyway, ha.
Oh by the way here's the webpage for Knockout: http://www.k-o.cl/
Well soon the Chileans started filling up the floor too and we dance for a long time. Eventually Cheryl and I were dancing with these two guys who seemed to be friends. Mine was a good dancer, Cheryl's.... was not, haha. We kept trying to dance with each other to shoo them away but Chileans don't take that as a hint. My partner dropped a burning ciggarrette on my toe and I was like, lets tell them we're going to the bathroom, hahaha.
The club was soooo hazy and I swear the music was louder than I've heard it in any American club I've been to. Eventually I started feeling super nautious and super faint and Cheryl had to keep watching that I didn't fall over.
Hayley, Cheryl, Lindsay, and I called Lindsay's brother for a ride home at FOUR in the morning! He's really cool like that. He couldn't believe we weren't staying out till six like the rest of the country, ha.
Today I'm going to some park and I really gotta get outa bed and shower soon, before almuerzo. Chao!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Nothings ever boring here.
So I kinda had a lazy morning. Didn't want to get out of bed, mostly because I didn't sleep well.
Here's what happened last night.
I felt super weird. I still do. But last night I felt physically and emotionally off. I started looking around my room at all the things in Spanish, all the foreign outlet plugs, foreign objects in general, my suitcases, etc. I checked Facebook and noticed my mom uploaded a bunch of old and recent photos of the family and outings we went on. It didn't make me miss home, but they certainly made me super sad. I sat in my bed thinking for a while and I FINALLY cried it out! I knew it was going to happen eventually since I am the most emotional person on the face of the earth, but I can't believe it took so long. I finally cried about leaving the states and being in this strange place and missing my friends and being so lost here.
I realized that it FINALLY hit me I was in Chile. After almost 2 weeks I realize I'm in Concepcion, Chile, South America. Ha.
Well after I got that out of my system, I had to run out of the house becuase if I didn't I woulda been bumming all night. So I threw on some skinny jeans and a nice shirt and headed over to Hayleys because she's closest to me. I waited for her to get ready and eventually we walked over to Trevors, who practically lives right behind my house.
The plan was to pregame there with everybody and then take a micro to el centro (downtown) and hang out at a bar they like.
Well everyone ended up staying at Trevors all night, but Hayley and I both needed to catch up on sleep and see the market this morning, so we left around 1.
I had some cerveza, but I don't know how I stomached it. I felt really icky, still kinda do, I think the food is getting to me finally as well. I have to remember there is a lot more alcohol in the beer here. I think I'm sticking to sipping wine from now on, like I blogged earlier, I don't feel comfortable getting wasted here.
Funny story: last night it wasnt all gringos, some peoples host brothers and sisters joined us as well. We were teaching each other naughty words in each other's languages, haha, how mature we are.
Well one of the chileans kept asking Sonni, who was pretty borracha, whether she liked pisco, a chilean/peruvian hard alcohol. The conversation went "Sonni, te gusta pisco??" and she'd say "CHUPALO!" Which means "SUCK IT!" The chileans would roll on the floor laughing they thought that was so funny, haha. I remember last night when I heard that everyone made fun of me for getting out a piece of paper to write it down.
We also listened to Juanes and Mana. Twas pretty fun in general, just nothing super exciting.
Well I slept horribly, possibly from the realization I had earlier yesterday, and I woke up super early. It was okay though, I watched some futbol games on TV and tried to learn some vocabulary from a Chilean telenovela.
After a while I called Jess and me, her, Hayley, and Lindsay all went to an open air market thats like walking distance from our barrio (neighborhood).
IT WAS REALLY COOL AND REALLY SOUTH AMERICAN.
There were fruits and strange fruits and veggies and pigs feet and super fresh whole crabs and smelly FISH just about everywhere. There were also cositas like clothes and watches, it was just a huuuge market with a ton of random things. It would have been like a farmers market, but it was half outside and you could buy just about ANYthing there.
When we were walking past a fish place a guy came up to us and started talking to Jess. He was wearing really dirty and ripped clothes and I'm pretty sure he was missing a bunch of teeth. At first it was okay but we quickly realized he didn't have all his marbles. I was severely freaked out and so were the rest of us. He kept grabbing Jess's arm and we kept saying, no we don't need what you're selling go away, we're fine. He followed us around for a few minutes until I finally said firmly "Necasitamos ir ahora, lo siento, adios" and we booked it across the market.
Another thing that pissed me off was that EVERY SINGLE PERSON STARED AT US. A lot of the men whistled. It was the MOST annoying thing of my entire life. At one point I turned to Hayley and said "The next chileno that whistles at us I'm going to punch in the face."
I forgot my camera, unfortunately, but I'm sure I'll go back there. After I buy an invisibility cloak. Either that or dye my hair black.
I came home and ate pastel de papas (this potatoe dish, thing?) with kinda mashed potatoes and there was meat and eggs on the bottom. Was delicioso. Whenever I have to eat alone because I wasn't home for lunch my mom will make some tea and sit and drink it with me so I'm not all alone. I love her so much already. She's always SO happy! Even when she gets annoyed with Wladimir or Vlado she is still laughing. We talked about our views on life one day; we're so similar. We both agree that the most important thing in life is being happy and can't understand why people are okay with being angry or holding grudges all the time. She told me today she'd take me to the market when she needs more fruit because she thinks since I'll be with her, the chileans won't bug me as much.
I really need to find my glasses, I know I packed them SOMEwhere. Its difficult to see a lot of the boards and computer screens in class. Oh and I also need to get to all my homework thats due next week already. Shit. I have a shit ton of writing in spanish to do.
As I wrote this I was supposed to be taking a siesta considering I might be out all night (those crazy chilenos and their discotheques). Chao for now.
Here's what happened last night.
I felt super weird. I still do. But last night I felt physically and emotionally off. I started looking around my room at all the things in Spanish, all the foreign outlet plugs, foreign objects in general, my suitcases, etc. I checked Facebook and noticed my mom uploaded a bunch of old and recent photos of the family and outings we went on. It didn't make me miss home, but they certainly made me super sad. I sat in my bed thinking for a while and I FINALLY cried it out! I knew it was going to happen eventually since I am the most emotional person on the face of the earth, but I can't believe it took so long. I finally cried about leaving the states and being in this strange place and missing my friends and being so lost here.
I realized that it FINALLY hit me I was in Chile. After almost 2 weeks I realize I'm in Concepcion, Chile, South America. Ha.
Well after I got that out of my system, I had to run out of the house becuase if I didn't I woulda been bumming all night. So I threw on some skinny jeans and a nice shirt and headed over to Hayleys because she's closest to me. I waited for her to get ready and eventually we walked over to Trevors, who practically lives right behind my house.
The plan was to pregame there with everybody and then take a micro to el centro (downtown) and hang out at a bar they like.
Well everyone ended up staying at Trevors all night, but Hayley and I both needed to catch up on sleep and see the market this morning, so we left around 1.
I had some cerveza, but I don't know how I stomached it. I felt really icky, still kinda do, I think the food is getting to me finally as well. I have to remember there is a lot more alcohol in the beer here. I think I'm sticking to sipping wine from now on, like I blogged earlier, I don't feel comfortable getting wasted here.
Funny story: last night it wasnt all gringos, some peoples host brothers and sisters joined us as well. We were teaching each other naughty words in each other's languages, haha, how mature we are.
Well one of the chileans kept asking Sonni, who was pretty borracha, whether she liked pisco, a chilean/peruvian hard alcohol. The conversation went "Sonni, te gusta pisco??" and she'd say "CHUPALO!" Which means "SUCK IT!" The chileans would roll on the floor laughing they thought that was so funny, haha. I remember last night when I heard that everyone made fun of me for getting out a piece of paper to write it down.
We also listened to Juanes and Mana. Twas pretty fun in general, just nothing super exciting.
Well I slept horribly, possibly from the realization I had earlier yesterday, and I woke up super early. It was okay though, I watched some futbol games on TV and tried to learn some vocabulary from a Chilean telenovela.
After a while I called Jess and me, her, Hayley, and Lindsay all went to an open air market thats like walking distance from our barrio (neighborhood).
IT WAS REALLY COOL AND REALLY SOUTH AMERICAN.
There were fruits and strange fruits and veggies and pigs feet and super fresh whole crabs and smelly FISH just about everywhere. There were also cositas like clothes and watches, it was just a huuuge market with a ton of random things. It would have been like a farmers market, but it was half outside and you could buy just about ANYthing there.
When we were walking past a fish place a guy came up to us and started talking to Jess. He was wearing really dirty and ripped clothes and I'm pretty sure he was missing a bunch of teeth. At first it was okay but we quickly realized he didn't have all his marbles. I was severely freaked out and so were the rest of us. He kept grabbing Jess's arm and we kept saying, no we don't need what you're selling go away, we're fine. He followed us around for a few minutes until I finally said firmly "Necasitamos ir ahora, lo siento, adios" and we booked it across the market.
Another thing that pissed me off was that EVERY SINGLE PERSON STARED AT US. A lot of the men whistled. It was the MOST annoying thing of my entire life. At one point I turned to Hayley and said "The next chileno that whistles at us I'm going to punch in the face."
I forgot my camera, unfortunately, but I'm sure I'll go back there. After I buy an invisibility cloak. Either that or dye my hair black.
I came home and ate pastel de papas (this potatoe dish, thing?) with kinda mashed potatoes and there was meat and eggs on the bottom. Was delicioso. Whenever I have to eat alone because I wasn't home for lunch my mom will make some tea and sit and drink it with me so I'm not all alone. I love her so much already. She's always SO happy! Even when she gets annoyed with Wladimir or Vlado she is still laughing. We talked about our views on life one day; we're so similar. We both agree that the most important thing in life is being happy and can't understand why people are okay with being angry or holding grudges all the time. She told me today she'd take me to the market when she needs more fruit because she thinks since I'll be with her, the chileans won't bug me as much.
I really need to find my glasses, I know I packed them SOMEwhere. Its difficult to see a lot of the boards and computer screens in class. Oh and I also need to get to all my homework thats due next week already. Shit. I have a shit ton of writing in spanish to do.
As I wrote this I was supposed to be taking a siesta considering I might be out all night (those crazy chilenos and their discotheques). Chao for now.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
"Exactly the shit you see on TV!"
There was a protest on campus today! IT WAS CRAZY!
So Jess and I were trying to get to the micro on O'Higgins today so while we're walking past the artes y humanidades building we notice a bunch of people standing around, apparently watching something around the corner. Well Jess and I decided to go INto that building to go pee and we're halfway up the steps when some people start shouting and people behind us are running and pushing us into the building! We saw ROCKS flying through the air! People panicked and so did we, kinda scooted into the building real fast. It seemed like things calmed down for a bit after, we were really confused at that point. So we go up to the second floor to pee and when we come back down again there are people running around outside EVERYWHERE. Some of them have hoods and scarfs on covering their face, some run into the building, everyone is just scattering. I'm hearing things breaking outside. At this point me and Jess are a little shaken. We stand in the lobby and look out the window at Chilean Police chasing people dressed as terrorists! Some people run into the building we were in and the Police chased in after them! They've got the SWAT clear sheilds with the Chilean Police logo on it, helmets, guns drawn, it was scary as hell!
Things appeared to calm down and me and Jess had to get home so we leave the building and walk outside to broken glass, rocks, and paint scattered in front of the building and on the pathways of campus. We see some policia take a few men away and there are just trucks and trucks of police. Walking past the damage we found ourselves in the background of news reports becuase there were reporters on the scene. Scared the shit out of me!
The rest of my day was pretty great! One time last night when I was saying something to a Chilean on skype I accidentally said "Tengo mierda" for "Tengo miedo." One means "I'm scared" and one means "I have shit." Guess which one I used, ha.
Well I was supposed to have two 3-hr classes today but they were both cut short. I think these two will be my favorite. One is Latin American Studies and the other is like, an area studies seminar where we talk about langauge, culture, and people of Chile.
Random story: When people say "oh he's on chilean time" it means he's just running late because he's gotten used to chileans being late all the time. Its funny, and frustrating, but nobody here is on time, EVER. No wonder there is no schedule for the micros and colectivos.
For my first class I practically had to climb a MOUNTAIN to get to this building! All we did let the prof get to know us and then we left. We climbed back down the practicallly mountain and chilled in the center of campus on some stairs. It rocked. We all just had such a good time telling stories, joking around, being dumb. I love the people on this trip with me! And its not because I have to because they're the only other Americans: I honestly love them, its great.
I've decided "borracho/borracha" is better sounding than the word "drunk."
Today in our second class, which by the way the professor of this class is my host mom's brother, we heard drums outside and demonstrations and our prof told us people were practicing for the crazy independance day activities (September 16).
According to Al, the sun is hotter here and there's less air. He's convinced we're really elevated even though we're right by the ocean. hahaha
I'm gonig to take a siesta now so I can hopefully hang out with the rest of the gringos later at a pub or club.
So Jess and I were trying to get to the micro on O'Higgins today so while we're walking past the artes y humanidades building we notice a bunch of people standing around, apparently watching something around the corner. Well Jess and I decided to go INto that building to go pee and we're halfway up the steps when some people start shouting and people behind us are running and pushing us into the building! We saw ROCKS flying through the air! People panicked and so did we, kinda scooted into the building real fast. It seemed like things calmed down for a bit after, we were really confused at that point. So we go up to the second floor to pee and when we come back down again there are people running around outside EVERYWHERE. Some of them have hoods and scarfs on covering their face, some run into the building, everyone is just scattering. I'm hearing things breaking outside. At this point me and Jess are a little shaken. We stand in the lobby and look out the window at Chilean Police chasing people dressed as terrorists! Some people run into the building we were in and the Police chased in after them! They've got the SWAT clear sheilds with the Chilean Police logo on it, helmets, guns drawn, it was scary as hell!
Things appeared to calm down and me and Jess had to get home so we leave the building and walk outside to broken glass, rocks, and paint scattered in front of the building and on the pathways of campus. We see some policia take a few men away and there are just trucks and trucks of police. Walking past the damage we found ourselves in the background of news reports becuase there were reporters on the scene. Scared the shit out of me!
The rest of my day was pretty great! One time last night when I was saying something to a Chilean on skype I accidentally said "Tengo mierda" for "Tengo miedo." One means "I'm scared" and one means "I have shit." Guess which one I used, ha.
Well I was supposed to have two 3-hr classes today but they were both cut short. I think these two will be my favorite. One is Latin American Studies and the other is like, an area studies seminar where we talk about langauge, culture, and people of Chile.
Random story: When people say "oh he's on chilean time" it means he's just running late because he's gotten used to chileans being late all the time. Its funny, and frustrating, but nobody here is on time, EVER. No wonder there is no schedule for the micros and colectivos.
For my first class I practically had to climb a MOUNTAIN to get to this building! All we did let the prof get to know us and then we left. We climbed back down the practicallly mountain and chilled in the center of campus on some stairs. It rocked. We all just had such a good time telling stories, joking around, being dumb. I love the people on this trip with me! And its not because I have to because they're the only other Americans: I honestly love them, its great.
I've decided "borracho/borracha" is better sounding than the word "drunk."
Today in our second class, which by the way the professor of this class is my host mom's brother, we heard drums outside and demonstrations and our prof told us people were practicing for the crazy independance day activities (September 16).
According to Al, the sun is hotter here and there's less air. He's convinced we're really elevated even though we're right by the ocean. hahaha
I'm gonig to take a siesta now so I can hopefully hang out with the rest of the gringos later at a pub or club.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Oh Luzzz...
My first class today was actually spent at the police station downtown so that the group of us could register our visas. Wasn't as big of a disaster as I expected- WOO! We took a micro from campus to the station and THAT was a joke: there were 20 gringos packed onto this already packed bus! I hate traveling in groups, and a lot of times I cannot STAND Luz, my professor/director, so Sam was laughing at me the whole way since steam was practically coming out my ears.
At the station we had to pay 800 pesos, like, less than 2 dollars, to assure we wouldn't get deported. Cool. So I'm all set to live here for the next 4 months. Since my visa lasts for 210 days, i should just figure out how to stay here longer! If only if only if only....
From the station we walked back downtown and decided to kill some time there before our next class at two, which turned out to be at three.
Hanging out downtown was fun, we window shopped. We ended up walking all the way back towards campus and ate at a place called Cafe Neruda near the Plaza Peru. I had some funny tasting but yummy soup and the freshest apple and orange I've ever eaten. After that some of us got a cerveza at another place in la Plaza Peru and then headed over to campus at about 5 to two. Well class was changed to 3 for some odd reason. Other people headed back to 30xpress, this empanada place by campus, and threw back a couple more pints. I must say they were quite giggly in class. Anyway we watched a movie in spanish and answered some questions about the people in it. This professor was just as hard to understand as the guy on Monday, unfortunately :(
Funny moment: The profe was asking us how much we knew about downtown and she said "Saben ustedes los bares?" and its quiet when Al says loudly "Me gustan." We all just burst out laughing.
After that people went to another place to drink moooore beer. I don't know how people want to spend that kind of money every day. I'll save my money for the cover charge to the discoteque and maybe a few drinks. I want to travel and get souvineers damnit! I don't want to waste money on alcohol.
I ventured home alone, el micro 56, and surprisingly made it again. (Soon I'm going to be a pro at riding the micros and colectivos).
I looooove chatting with my mom when I get home from class. She always wants to hear about my whole day and if I need help with my homework! Today we talked about relationships. Shes very curious about my relationship with my family back home because I keep stressing how outrageously different it is than family relationships here in Chile. She told me some pretty personal stuff about her history and I was flattered she shared it with me. After she told me about some blood sugar problems and how she cant exercise much anymore, she brought down her old Zumba DVDs and we did Zumba together for like an hour! It was so random! The funniest part was that when we were done attempting to Zumba/salsa/dance, I ran to get my dictionary so that I could look up the words "uncoordinated," "klutz," and "two left feet" haha.
Then my dad came home and told me how he talked to my real mom for a while on facebook chat today. Hm. Wonder how that went.
I'm going to relax tonight since I have class from fucking 9am to 3pm tomorrow. Yeah. SUCKS. I have a class from 9 to 12 and then one from 12 to 3. I'm going to kill the idiot that made these schedules.
About my schedule, here it is:
Mondays - Class 11 to 2
Tuesdays - Class 10 to 12
Wednesdays - Class 10 to 12 and 3 to 5
Thursdays - Class 9am to 3pm
Fridays - LIBRE! (free!)
I can't wait to go to Santiago to see Sean! (I met him in my Latin American History class first semester, freshman year. He had wanted to move to Spain after he graduated in December, but moved to Santiago, Chile instead!) Lizzie and I for sure cannot wait to see a familiar face, AND see him because its been a looong time! Santiago is going to be so much fun, I already know. Its much bigger than Conce and I think the music scene will for sure be present.
This weekend Sean is going to Argentina because he has a tourist visa and has to leave the country ever.... 30 days? 60? I'm not sure. Either way he's forced to leave the country and I'm jealous, ha.
Well, I'm going to watch a pretty sweet telenovela with my mama now. I think this ones called "Donde estas Elisa?". Its veeeeery interesting. Here's a synopsis and it might be badly translated: "The plot of the novel revolves around the abduction of Eliza, the daughter of the marriage of Raymond Dominguez (Francisco Melo) and Francisca Correa (Sigrid Alegría). Donde esta Elisa is an authentic family drama and crime fiction." Yeah I can't find a better description. Anyway, its amazing. Theres like this girl who is seeing her uncle and another girl is seeing this guy whos secretly gay and dating HER DAD. Or maybe thats another telenovela. There are soo many haha.
Hasta luego
At the station we had to pay 800 pesos, like, less than 2 dollars, to assure we wouldn't get deported. Cool. So I'm all set to live here for the next 4 months. Since my visa lasts for 210 days, i should just figure out how to stay here longer! If only if only if only....
From the station we walked back downtown and decided to kill some time there before our next class at two, which turned out to be at three.
Hanging out downtown was fun, we window shopped. We ended up walking all the way back towards campus and ate at a place called Cafe Neruda near the Plaza Peru. I had some funny tasting but yummy soup and the freshest apple and orange I've ever eaten. After that some of us got a cerveza at another place in la Plaza Peru and then headed over to campus at about 5 to two. Well class was changed to 3 for some odd reason. Other people headed back to 30xpress, this empanada place by campus, and threw back a couple more pints. I must say they were quite giggly in class. Anyway we watched a movie in spanish and answered some questions about the people in it. This professor was just as hard to understand as the guy on Monday, unfortunately :(
Funny moment: The profe was asking us how much we knew about downtown and she said "Saben ustedes los bares?" and its quiet when Al says loudly "Me gustan." We all just burst out laughing.
After that people went to another place to drink moooore beer. I don't know how people want to spend that kind of money every day. I'll save my money for the cover charge to the discoteque and maybe a few drinks. I want to travel and get souvineers damnit! I don't want to waste money on alcohol.
I ventured home alone, el micro 56, and surprisingly made it again. (Soon I'm going to be a pro at riding the micros and colectivos).
I looooove chatting with my mom when I get home from class. She always wants to hear about my whole day and if I need help with my homework! Today we talked about relationships. Shes very curious about my relationship with my family back home because I keep stressing how outrageously different it is than family relationships here in Chile. She told me some pretty personal stuff about her history and I was flattered she shared it with me. After she told me about some blood sugar problems and how she cant exercise much anymore, she brought down her old Zumba DVDs and we did Zumba together for like an hour! It was so random! The funniest part was that when we were done attempting to Zumba/salsa/dance, I ran to get my dictionary so that I could look up the words "uncoordinated," "klutz," and "two left feet" haha.
Then my dad came home and told me how he talked to my real mom for a while on facebook chat today. Hm. Wonder how that went.
I'm going to relax tonight since I have class from fucking 9am to 3pm tomorrow. Yeah. SUCKS. I have a class from 9 to 12 and then one from 12 to 3. I'm going to kill the idiot that made these schedules.
About my schedule, here it is:
Mondays - Class 11 to 2
Tuesdays - Class 10 to 12
Wednesdays - Class 10 to 12 and 3 to 5
Thursdays - Class 9am to 3pm
Fridays - LIBRE! (free!)
I can't wait to go to Santiago to see Sean! (I met him in my Latin American History class first semester, freshman year. He had wanted to move to Spain after he graduated in December, but moved to Santiago, Chile instead!) Lizzie and I for sure cannot wait to see a familiar face, AND see him because its been a looong time! Santiago is going to be so much fun, I already know. Its much bigger than Conce and I think the music scene will for sure be present.
This weekend Sean is going to Argentina because he has a tourist visa and has to leave the country ever.... 30 days? 60? I'm not sure. Either way he's forced to leave the country and I'm jealous, ha.
Well, I'm going to watch a pretty sweet telenovela with my mama now. I think this ones called "Donde estas Elisa?". Its veeeeery interesting. Here's a synopsis and it might be badly translated: "The plot of the novel revolves around the abduction of Eliza, the daughter of the marriage of Raymond Dominguez (Francisco Melo) and Francisca Correa (Sigrid Alegría). Donde esta Elisa is an authentic family drama and crime fiction." Yeah I can't find a better description. Anyway, its amazing. Theres like this girl who is seeing her uncle and another girl is seeing this guy whos secretly gay and dating HER DAD. Or maybe thats another telenovela. There are soo many haha.
Hasta luego
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
So many posts... sorry
Tonight my dad gave me a pen with the Chilean police logo on it and said I better remember him when I go back to the states! Aahh I was super flattered. I think my mom wanted to give me something then too because she went and got this cute hair pin for me. I. Love. My. Chilean. Family.
After that little exchange, the TV started to get all messed up and I started hearing male Chilean voices. My mom told me when the Chilean police are near their house, the TV starts picking up the radio signals! How strange.
Oh one thing I want to take note of: since Chile is so long and thin, I've never seen a full map of Chile. Its always split into two or three pieces. Like in the mall today, in every store with a map, Chile was cut in half. Then, on the weather channel later, Chile was split in FOUR hahahaha. Doesn't make me love this country any less, however.
One thing I love about my dad chileno is that he has a terrible memory just like I do. Just another trait in him that reminds me of my Grandpa Bajczyk is that he always winks and smiles. Not in a creepy way, but in a caring/funny way, just like my grandpa used to do. I love love love him. He saw me working on my homework today and immediately took it away and was like, "How can I help you, its customary that parents help kids with homework you know, blah blah blah" hahaha he's so so funny!
On a final note for tonight: the telenovelas (soaps) here are SO INTENSE! Well, so are all soap operas, but the ones here have the most crazy complicated story lines, I really want to know who can come up with so many different stories. The one we watched in the afternoon and evening today involved wierd relationships with someones boyfriend actually is involved with that girls DAD becuase they're both secretly gay. Yeah the rest was so complicated I don't even remember.
After that little exchange, the TV started to get all messed up and I started hearing male Chilean voices. My mom told me when the Chilean police are near their house, the TV starts picking up the radio signals! How strange.
Oh one thing I want to take note of: since Chile is so long and thin, I've never seen a full map of Chile. Its always split into two or three pieces. Like in the mall today, in every store with a map, Chile was cut in half. Then, on the weather channel later, Chile was split in FOUR hahahaha. Doesn't make me love this country any less, however.
One thing I love about my dad chileno is that he has a terrible memory just like I do. Just another trait in him that reminds me of my Grandpa Bajczyk is that he always winks and smiles. Not in a creepy way, but in a caring/funny way, just like my grandpa used to do. I love love love him. He saw me working on my homework today and immediately took it away and was like, "How can I help you, its customary that parents help kids with homework you know, blah blah blah" hahaha he's so so funny!
On a final note for tonight: the telenovelas (soaps) here are SO INTENSE! Well, so are all soap operas, but the ones here have the most crazy complicated story lines, I really want to know who can come up with so many different stories. The one we watched in the afternoon and evening today involved wierd relationships with someones boyfriend actually is involved with that girls DAD becuase they're both secretly gay. Yeah the rest was so complicated I don't even remember.
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