Mmm...Coffee.....

So the other day our class went to the congress building and had the BEST coffee ever....you too and experience this incredible taste (I´m not bieng sarcastic, usually I don´t like coffee, but I found myself wanting more.) because I am goign to give you the recipe...coffee drinkers, you may want to shut your eyes.....first, fill your favorite mug with hot water....second, add 2 t spoons of the delectable NesCafe....top it off with two teaspoons of sugar, and you´ve got one great cup of coffee. The funny thing is, its very difficult to find regular coffee here. If you order it from a shop, its usually nescafe or some other type of instant coffee. Yet another cultural difference.
Well this week has been slightly insane. I decided to switch host homes...not becasue the family wasn´t nice, but becasue the was never any conversation...they perferred to have their dinner in front of their own TVs in their own rooms. Now this would be just fine if I were in the US, but here I would relaly like to converse and develope a relationship with the family. So I told the mom two nights ago. It was quite rough...and left this morning. In the end, I think I made the right decision. On top of the family drama we had lots of work this week to finish up the classes. But the last day was yesterday....woot woot!
On WEdnesday in culture, we talked about the gender differences bettweenhere and other places. It was a 2 hour discussion and I found it very interesting. In CHile, the women are encouraged to go to the university , participate in politics, etc.... HOWEVER, it is a very machismo culture. In general, women don´t have male friends...you can´t just go and hang out for fun without other people thinking you are in a relationship. Also, EVERYONE here is in a relationship..ok not everyone, but both guys and girls seem to NEED a relationship to be satisfied. Men are also intimidated by confidence, intelligence, and strength....in general of course. Our prof said that it is difficult for women to find a partener if they are independent and are able to live on their own. Also, the mom is expected to do EVERYTHING! The kids do nothing, the husband does nothing...quite reiculas. Kids here are also much more coddled by their parents...which is why they are much less independent. Our prof lived in boston for a while and was shocked to see kids walking to school by themselves in the rain. In many families here that would hve never occured. There was of course much more said in the conversation,but you get the gist.
Now on to the educational system. There are three types of schools here...public, private, and a mix between the two. The public schools are awful and only people who can´t afford another school attend public school. There are many different degrees of private shcools , some more expensive than otherss. 98% of students from private schools go on to university. The mixed schools can be started by anyone who wants to start a school. The governement gives money to the school so the families don´t have to pay as much. Some of the mixed schools are good and some are very bad. To get into the university, students take a test...similart o the ACT but there are different sections that help you detirmine your carreer. So basically, after you take this test, you know what you are going to study and where you will work if everything goes to plan. Students here are shocked when I say iI´m taking psych, religion, spanish, etc...just to get a broad range of experiences.
Lets see...what more? I went to a barbeque last night at a town about 30 minutes away. It was SO funand definalty needed after a long week. There were only a few gringos and the rest were chileans. I got to practice my spanish a ton and really enjoyed conversing with everyone. Eventhough I love CHile, I think the next place I will go....if i study abroad or work abroad ...will be ARgentina. I´ve heard so many good things about argentina. I guess the people are more open and friendly. I talked with a girl from argentina last night and was able to understand her a lot eaiser than any chilean i´ve spoken to. ANyways, the meal was HUGE but good.
Tomorrow we leave for the south. WE will fly to punta arenas and take a bus to where we will start our trek. ´WE´ll be on trail for about five days in Torres del Paine. AFterwards we are going to visit Ushaia..its in the southern part of argentina. We´ll be there for 5 days and then fly up to puerto montt. We´re hoping to spend a few days exploring that area before we go to VAldivia for 4 days. Then we will take a bus back up to Valparaiso. I am looking forward to the backpacking and am hoping that all goes well. We are goint o stay in hostels when we aren´t backpacking...they are usually $5 a night including breakfast...$3 if we camp. WAy cheap.
Well I suppose that´s all. Hope everyone is doing well! I miss you all!
Love Cristina