Getting here was anything short of easy, but I'm glad I made it. In less than 24 hours I have been in 4 cities and 3 planes. The first flight was from Chicago to DC, then DC to New York, and finally the 9hr and 50mn flight from New York to Santiago. Wooah, that was a lot, luckily the invention of sleeping pills allowed me to wake up just as the flight from Santiago was coming in and I got a good nights rest. Now, arriving in Santiago was a different story. I got off the plane to an airport with no heat and although I'm from Chicago, my Gap sweater wasn't exactly cutting it at 6:30 in the morning. As I arrive at the airport I find that not only do Americans have to pay a $140 fee to enter the country, but that my new suitcase is not missing on wheel. Oh joy, that was a good way to start my trip...but I went on.
Now for those of you that don't know me and don't know many details about my trip, I am not in Santiago, I am in Vina del Mar, which is two hours away from Santiago, so I had to take the bus. I was so worried when I got on the first bus, my Spanish is terrible and I knew enough to make out that the TurBus person said "No Vina bus at this terminal, must get on this bus to another terminal to get to Vina bus", so with a confused look I got on the bus to the terminal in Santiago, hoping that I understood the directions correctly. Luckily, I was right and the bus driver was nice and helped me get my ticket to Vina and my broken bag over to the new bus stop. All was well with the world again and I could stop being worried about being lost and stranded in Chile. After another two hours of traveling I arrived in Vina and was picked up by the principal of the school, she was so sweet, and got moved into my new place. It's quaint, however in order to take a hot shower you have to turn on the gas, light a match, move this thing over, and wish upon a star- well not technically wish upon a star, but it's more involved than just turning on the knob.
Once I arrived, I went to the Feria (an open air fruit and veggie market) with my roommates Dema and Jim- they are both really great and I'm glad that I lucked out and am living with interesting, intelligent, and fun people. The Feria was interesting, it was tents in a dirt parking lot and they sold every fruit and vegetable I knew of, and even some that I did not. I felt it was a very cultural experience because everyone knew everyone and it had a very warm atmosphere. My roommates kept talking about making food and asking what I wanted to purchase, little did they know that I can't cook so I was willing to buy anything, but as far as preparing it, my one Chicken 101 class didn't prepare me as well as I had hoped.
Once I arrived, I went to the Feria (an open air fruit and veggie market) with my roommates Dema and Jim- they are both really great and I'm glad that I lucked out and am living with interesting, intelligent, and fun people. The Feria was interesting, it was tents in a dirt parking lot and they sold every fruit and vegetable I knew of, and even some that I did not. I felt it was a very cultural experience because everyone knew everyone and it had a very warm atmosphere. My roommates kept talking about making food and asking what I wanted to purchase, little did they know that I can't cook so I was willing to buy anything, but as far as preparing it, my one Chicken 101 class didn't prepare me as well as I had hoped. The lovely day came to a close with empanadas and a walk along the beach with Dema, I couldn't have asked for a better first day and I am looking forward to what Chile has in store for me.
By the way-THANK GOD I'm from Chicago, no where here has heating, if I was from a warmer climate I would be freezing!
I'm glad you love Vina already, booski. Can't wait to see more pics! :)
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