You'll have to excuse my lack of updates...the past few days have been absolutely crazy and I'm finally getting to the point where I am less overwhelmed. I'll start at the beginning of my journey (because I really haven't even updated my own journal!)
Ok. On Wednesday June 17 around 1:00ish my plane left BWI for Dallas/Fort Worth. I met Hillary at the airport and actually I got to meet her family for the first time (but I already met her sister). My backpack weighed a freakin ton but I only had things that I needed in it so I don't know why it was so heavy. The flight to Texas went smoothly but it felt a little long (it was about 3 1/2 hours- I think...) I didn't have anything to do because well, my bookbag was too big to put under my seat. But anyways, when Hillary and I go to Texas, we had a 6 hour layover so we walked around some. Finally, after not seeing our flight on the departure list, we asked someone from American Airlines where we needed to go. After we found out where we were leaving from, we took the little train (Dallas/Fort Worth is a huge airport) to the right concourse (?). When we got there we sat down for a bit and read. Then for our final meal in the US we went to TIG Fridays. I had ribs! After dinner we sat at our gate for awhile and slowly people from ISA started to gather together! We all got to know each other some what and talked a while before our flight. We were all a bit scared and excited. It was cool meeting other people. Finally, around 8:40 (9:40 at home) I sent my final text messages and we boarded the plane. Adios los Estados Unidos.
I sat with a Chilean man on the plane. He was older and spoke little English. We didn't really talk. I felt bad because we never left our seats during the 9 1/2 hour flight. I think I slept a good bit but I don't remember. I was just thinking about what I was going to experience.
So here goes the fun part...
When you arrive in Chile, be prepared to go through customs. If you have a visa it is a little easier because you don't have to pay when you get there because you have already paid in the US. Its a little difficult to make your way through the entrance because they expect you to speak Spanish right away (and if you are like me, after a long flight, your mouth does not want to speak Spanish right away). But don't worry, its ok. If I can survive, you can survive :P The only thing I remember the guy saying was that I needed to register my visa. (I did that today in Vina del Mar, I really don't know what I did...a person from ISA went with us and basically I just sat in a chair, answered some questions, the ISA lady helped me, and then I was done). But anyways, just don't pack weird things in your bags or else you can't get through customs easily. I waited with two girls I met because 1.) I wanted friends (they will be here all six months with me) 2.) The airline couldn't find one of Brittany's muletas (or in otras palabaras, bags). But it was ok because they found it. Somehow I got separated from them and the people in customs decided that they needed to go through my bag...ugh. I think it was because I brought play doh (its a stress reliever!) Finally after making it through customs, I met my first ISA staff member. Oh man those people are soo nice! They hugged all of us and really took the time to learn our names quickly. I love the ISA staff :) They moved us quickly away from the scary taxi drivers that tried to make us go with them. We were all exhausted but very excited and a little nervous to be there.
After everyone arrived we took a bus to our hotel in Santiago, Rent-A-Home. Oh my, the Andes moutains are GOREGOUS!!! (sp?) But anyways, the bus ride was shortish but there was a long tunnel before entering Santiago. I didn't think it would ever end. When we arrived at our hotel, they divided us into groups. I became the jefa (boss) of my group. Aye I love my group! Amy, Mariel, and I had an apartment to ourselves. It was nice except I didn't have much internet access. During our stay in Santigo, it was cold and rained I think 2 days (maybe only one, I forget now). We ate food in cool cafes (Hamoody and Teateria--the names of two cafes) and we also ate pizza (from Roccos....my friends (Hillary, Chris, Mariel, Amy, Erica, and Katherine) and I had a pizza party, it was a lot of fun, we talked about our homes, our majors, and our schools en los Estados Unidos, it was very interesting to compare our schools) and Italian food (yes, I know, I am in Chile!) Oh and I ate tempura one night! We didnt' go out much at night which was great because that is definitely not my thing. But the entire time, I knew each day, I was overcoming a new challenge--and succeeding. :)
We went to San Cristobal, Palacio de Monedas, la Catedral, una casa de Neruda, an artisan place, a vineyard, and I think I'm forgetting something.
But anways, its beautiful here. I'm in Vina right now. I started classes today at Pontifical Universidad Catalotica (sp?) de Valparaiso. I was a bit scared but it was ok after we found out where my classroom was (my mom and I got lost!) But all is well. I felt like a kindergarten the past few days because I am learning everything and my host mom is always with me (taking me to school, making my lunch, picking me up, telling me how to get home, etc.) That's ok though. Its different but I like it right now. Speaking of host mom..I love my family. I have a fairly large room and I share a house with my host mom, host dad, and a host brother. They are nice and it is cool because they are Christian. I found out tonight how I ended up in this house. God is so wonderful. Everything is working out beautifully. My room has a psalm poster which I love and my family attends a Christian church (the same church that my program director attends!) I'm excited. Also, they have a pretty decent sized youth group (they told me that its great!) My host brother knows some English and my host mom is trying to learn things here and there. It is fun to listen to them talk in English. I probably sound horrible. But whatever, I will get better.
I think that's all I wanted to say now. Other than tomorrow I have to take the micro (bus) by myself to school! But don't worry it is easy! ( I think!) and I get to see PROFESORA :) I'm excited. I have homework so I have to go but GOOD NIGHT!!!
Hasta luego!
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