A Perfect Weekend

The last 24 hours have consisted of hotdogs, friends, fire, beaches, hippie towns, empanadas, conversation, and a much needed break from the city. So I'll start from the beginning. The guys left about 5 hours earlier than us to head to a small hippie town called Horcon. Erin, Kate, and I waited until about 6 to leave in order to finish up some things here. We found ourselves wondering if it would even be worth going if we weren't going to get there until after dark...it was defiantly worth it. After about 30 min waiting at the bus stop we caught a bus to Horcon and found ourselves squished in the back of the bus trying to stay warm for the 2 hour ride. When we got there we walked about a half mile to the campsite. The guys had set up the tents and had the fire ready for dinner. We camped on a bluff about 10 feet from the beach. It felt like we were the only people out there in the dark listening to the crashing waves. Now this may be SHOCKING to many of you who know me well, and Dad, you will be proud, I ate a HOT DOG...and not just a little hot dog but a HUGE hot dog with ketchup, mustard, and sour crout. And it was amazing , I enjoyed every bite. After that we just sat talking until late. I woke up early the next morning...surprise surprise and had about 2.5 hours to sit by the ocean until everyone else got up. It was really peaceful and I enjoyed every bit of it. Later that day we walked into town and had some AMAZING empanadas. mmmmm. The beauty in that town is overwhelming. There were TONS of street shops with buckets full of clams and crabs...they were all SO cheap too. AFter getting back from camping I just relaxed at home and munched on anything I could find. The white bread is starting to get a little old. haha. Ok...off to go read about cinematography. WOOT WOOT.
Chao

Micros, Colectivos, and.....SALSA DANCING

So I thought I'd give you all a little lesson on the transportation system here. First you have the micros. A micro is an OLD OLD OLD bus that feels like it is going to split in two at any moment. The brakes often don't work which makes it interesting getting on and off. When you are finally on the bus, at times you have to stand up...and by at times i mean all of the time. Don't worry, they have bars on top to hold on to, but if you aren't REALLY holding on with two hands, arms braced and ready for anything, you will inevitably fall into the people behind you...if I didn't stick out enough all ready, now I'm the tall blond giant falling over everyone on the bus. The buses also REALLY like to get close to other buses when they are driving or parking/pulling out. There have been times where I've almost grabbed the knee to the person sitting next to me out of fear for my life. Some of the micros have character. Last night I got on a micro with black lights, stuffed animals hanging from the front window and as David would call it, BLING BLING swinging back and forth on the mirror. The music was also shaking the bus and If we weren't moving it would feel like a regular dance club.
Colectivo drivers are equally crazy sometimes. A colectivo is a small black car...i'm pretty sure its made out of plastic. Anyways, it can fit 4 passengers and is not like a taxi because it picks up four random people and has specific routs. If you ever come to Chile, one of the most important things to remember is don't slam the doors of a colectivo...the driver will get very angry. This is one thing I learned in the first few days. I also fear for my life sometimes in colectivos...especially on the hills that the drivers speed up and down. Hope you enjoyed this little lesson on the transportation system.
SALSA DANCING...I love it. Went last night and I actually feel like I am improving. Its funny,I haven't really ever been dancing in the US...besides line dancing...but I get the impression that its mostly rap or hard rock and people crammed into a small room barely having space to move. Here is so different. They play all sorts of music like salsa, merenge, regatone, rock, and indiginous music. Last night the last few songs were from macchu picchu in Peru. We also did the queka...and everyone whipped out their hankerchiefs and EVEYONE knew the dance...they must jsut be born with it or something. I love this culture.
Ok, I guess thats it. Today I am going camping on the beach...pray that we don't freeze to death. Hope everyone is doing well
Cristina
t w

MISSING: My MIND. If Found, Please Return to; Prat 213 Vina Del Mar , CHILE

Well today was one of those days where you just have to look back and laugh at yourself so I thought I'd write about it. I woke up and finished up some homework and then found myself packing for the day. ALL the incidents today have centered around my quest to find somewhere to do physical activity. So I found myself debating whether I wanted to bring my running shoes or my tennis shoes to try out another day of 80s aerobic style spinning. Once this crucial decision was made ( I chose my running shoes) I was out the door to my first class. My first class ended at 1:15 but I had to leave early because my next class was about 45 minutes away by bus. SO I quietly snuck out of the room and made it to Valpo with time to spare. I got to the ISA office and realized that I had left my bag with my new running shoes in the other classroom. At this point I panicked a bit and tried to recall if i had left them in class or on the bus (which would mean they would be long gone). SO after class I had 1.5 hours before my nutrition class so i jumped on the next bus and made my way back to vina. 55 minutes later I found myself walking away from the classroom, bagless, and angry that I had once again misplaced something that I own. I figured I would go home and pack another bag of clothes and hopefully have time to get to my next class. So I rushed in the door , packed my bag, and caught the next bus to Valpo. About 2 minutes later I realized that I was bagless again...was it magic? no. Was I robbed? no. Was it still sitting on my bed? yes. So this is about the time that I decided maybe I should just get off and walk back....being without a mind and all. So the walk was pleasant by the water and I promptly got home, finding my bag right where I had left it. Then I got a call from my friend who was heading to go spinning...I grabbed the bag and yet again made a 45 min bus trip to the gym...its only about a 2 mile walk, but the traffic is crazy. So i'm sitting on the bus and realize that I forgot SHORTS. So I had three options, go spinning in my jeans, find a cheap pair of shorts, or get off and walk back. i was still determined not to let this day go to waste so i found some BRIGHT RED MAN SHORTS ...because women don't wear shorts here...and FINALLY got to do some spinning. Currently I feel that my mind is coming back, but I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow. WHEW,time for bed. Love you all. C

EARTHQUAKE!!!

SO, Chile is known for having earthquakes. I have now learned that if an earthquake happens, I should go in a doorway. Good to know. ANYWAYS ,there was an earthquake with the strength of 6.2 this morning. Guess who slept through it? Everyone else in my house was out of their rooms, one girl crying, the mom on her cell, the other gringa wondering what all the noise and shaking was about, and I was asleep. bummer. Oh well, maybe next time.

I love the culture of SALSA. I've been three times this week and plan on going next week as well...no, i still do not have rhythem, and yes, I still stick out being 2 feet taller than everyone, but I have SO much fun dancing the SALSA. The music is fun, the dancing is fun, and the colors are fun! It's a different culture. Something that we aren't used to in the US. Its not just a dance, its people interacting with their bodies and their eyes. I love watching the pros after the lessons at the club. Its such a vibrant expressive dance and I am determined to learn. I went to a place last night where the salsa dancing was on the roof...all the walls were bright yellow and it was just a neat environment. The culture is so much more relaxed here, people are born with rhythm and they just move to the music, its incredible. In general, the people here just seem to go with the flow. ...they spend 2 hours after dinner enjoying time with the family, they don't stress about small decisions, they are more affectionate and laugh more. Its great! I think I've learned a lot about how to enjoy life and not always need to be on a schedule, or busy....although I have been going a little stir crazy :)




Ok, so more stories about my quest to get some sort of physical activity. The other day I decided to go lift weights at the university...so I got up early, determined to get there and get some work done. I opened the door to the weight room and stepped in, and looked around , and realized that I was surrounded by about 30 chilean men in a small room with machines I had never seen....yikes. So I sat and thought for about 5 seconds and then decided that doing sit ups on the beach sounded like a much better idea. I t made me think how the international students at our school feel when they walk into the caf and look around and realize they are different. SO today I went to the beach to do some strength stuff. It was BEAUTIFUL, the sun was going down and the waves looked incredible. So I started doing squats and this guy and his nephew who were playing soccer started laughing and mimicking me....I couldn't help but laugh with them..I should've put out a hat to collect money or something seeing as it was entertaining for anyone who passed by. SO tomorrow I will visit another gym. I have realized that I am about 100x happier and energetic with some sort of physical activity, hopefully I'll be able to run soon!!!
This morning I went to a German Lutheran Church in Valpo. It is up on one of the prettiest hills in valpo, Cerro Alegre. It was nice to visit a church, something familiar where I know I am welcomed even with the label of GRINGA (from the USA). After the service we got chocolate cake and talked to the pastor. ....i enjoyed the service, and the cake :). This week it has really hit me how beautiful valpo is. I have attached a few pics for your enjoyment!!!!

These pics are from cerro alegre. I'm not sure how to write around them or why this is in blue but thats ok. The above pic is of all the Luther girls next to a mural. There are TONS of murals in VALPO. Below are pics of other murals and of the colorful houses in the city.







I wish i knew how to put the pics in and write captions under them, but i guess you get the idea. Well I suppose that's all. Miss you all! Hope everyone is doing well!
cristina

PHOTOS!!!

First 5: La Serena....so pretty.
Far Right: Los Ojos in Pucon
BELOW: My dad driving our compact car up a REALLY STEEP MOUNTAIN....being as stubborn as he is, we kept going until the car wouldn't go anymore...then decided maybe we should turn back
BELOW center: Mark and I on our way up to the volcano...yeah, we're cool












Far right: Sliding down the Volcano with our ice pics
Left, hanging out on our way up...it was so windy here.

I'm going to PUMP YOU UP

So today I went spinning for the first time in my life. Let me tell you , what an experience. I got to the gym and started out in the wight room. The gym was filled with the guys who had arms that were as big as my waist...yes, filled with that guy. The guy that walks around slapping the other guys on the back, constantly talking about how much he benched the day before....that guy. Ok, so maybe I'm making generalizations, but it was pretty comico. There were about ten women....3 of whom clearly came from the US. ANYWAYS, back to spinning. So I get in the room and spend about 5 min. trying to adjust the bike. So I hop on and start peddling. The instructor then enters the room very PUMPED UP. He had all his biking gear on and was jumping up and down like he was getting ready for a boxing match. So he gets on the bike and cranks up the music (side note: it was a great mix of 80s workout music..haha). So if any of you have seen Dodgeball with Ben Stiller, this guy reminded me of that movie. Throughout the workout he kept hollering and whooping. I had trouble keeping a straight face. ANYWAYS, it felt great to do something active...haven't been able to run which was defiantly taking a toll on the mood.

Ok, so let me think about this last week. On Friday I went to the embassy in Santiago. I was supposed to wake up at 5:30 to catch the bus....two hours later at 7:30 I jumped out of bed in a panic, threw on jeans, and was at the bus station and on a bus by 7:50. I got to Santiago and realized that I needed to show up with 2 passport photos. So I squeezed onto the Metro and when I got off I ran around asking where I could find a shop to take my picture. I really lucked out and was ready by 10:30...the embassy closes at 11:30. So then I took a taxi to the embassy and had to go through some intense security before they let me in. AFter getting in, it was a breeze. I filled out new paper work...paid $100....blah...and my new passport is on its way. It was so weird talking to people from the US other than students. Afterwards it was only 11, and I didn't ride two hours only to turn right back around. So I met up with some friends and we went to....mark you may not want to read this...STARBUCKS. Now, usually I'm not a huge supporter, but it was something familiar...with real coffee and chocolate. Why go to Starbucks while your in Chile you ask? Because after a long week, something familiar like that really just turns the day around. That night I went SALSA DANCING! The person that was teaching me said I was a fast learner...what a lie. No, I still do not have rhythm, but am working on it!

On Saturday I got to meet up with my Israeli friend that we met in Ushuaia!! It was so fun to see him and hear about his adventures! I think my next place abroad will have to include Israel. Otherwise , this week has been filled with homework so far. I had to write a paper on cinematography! Anyways, yesterday I was taking the Micro (bus) home from class when a huge group of elementary kids got on....and I was sitting there thinking, in certain ways, these kids grow up a lot faster here. It was so odd to see a bunch of 6 year olds paying to get on the bus, clinging to the poles inside the bus, and getting off at the appropriate stops. Hmmm. Well I guess thats all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCUS!!! CONGRATS ON FBLA NATIONALS!!!
Love
Cristina

FLEAS!!!!

Hey all! Well its been quite a week so far. On thursday four of us left for La Serena, a town up north. It has got to be one of the prettiest places i have been! The beaches go for miles and are surrounded by the Elqui valley. We arrived on Thurs and ended up walking down to the beach for a few hours. Then we bought food for dinner and cooked some amazing egg sandwiches. The next morning we slept in and headed to the beach for the WHOLE day. It was so beautiful out and we ended up going in the water. I felt like i was 9 again, playing in the sand and jumping the waves...good times. The next day we went on a tour from 8:30am to 2:30 am. We started in the Elqui valley...a GREEN GREEN GREEN valley surrounded by dessert and mountains. SO PRETTY. The main fruits produced are papaya and grapes so we ended up going to a vina where they produce wine and a papaya farm. The weather was incredible and our tour guide was great. That night we went to an observatory and saw the most AMAZING stares I have ever seen! We also saw a couple of planets through a telescope...really neat. The rest of the time we spent relaxing and cooking. Oh, and why is this titled FLEAS?! Well the hostal was infested and there were nights where i just wanted to crawl out of my skin because of all the bites i got. A little different than the hotels in the US huh?

So that leaves me with TODAY. Well its been quite a long one, we'll start at that. I got up and packed to get ready to leave for argentina. My housemate and I walked to the bus station and took out money. What was exciting about this was that I had forgotten my PIN number all week and finally remembered it so I could get money for the upcoming week and to pay my friends back for the past week. So everything is going fine until i get to the bus. So I take off my pack to put below and this large guy starts to help me. I tell him I can do it myself and I'd rather that he didn't touch my stuff. WELL there was a large women behind me and all the sudden I found myself trapped. I didn't realize what was going on, but thought something wasn't right when the guy took my hair to turn me around...the women then cut my wallet out of my bag and off they went. SO now i am without a passport, credit card, ID, cell phone, insurance card, and keys. After they robbed me some security guards called the cops...20 min. later htey arrived. They brought me back to the house and dropped me off. I was locked out for about 2 hours because I didn't have my keys. I went to the internet cafe to cancel my cards...they owners were really nice and helped me out a lot...I guess its little things like that which make up for all the mis fortunate things that happen. ANYWAYS, all day I filed a police report and now have to go to the embassy to get a new passport. Needless to say, its been a long one, but such is life.

I suppose that's all the excitment that has been happening around here. I miss you all and can't wait to see everyone in 3 MONTHS!! Love Cristina

FAMILIA

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long! I just got done with spending a week with the fam in CHile. It was SO SO good to have the OPPORTUNITY to see them and show them around. I didn't realize how much i worry here about saying and doing the right thing at the right time until i spent time with them and remembered what it feels like to completely at ease and at home with people . Not that I am uncomfortable in this house, but Its difficult sometimes to think of things to say and always wonder if you are doing the right things. ANYWAYS, I left at 4:30 AM to pick them up from the airport on Saturday. There are glass windows in the airport where you can watch all the people go through customs and get their luggage. I stood there bursting with excitement for about an hour before they came through...looking like they had just spent the night on the airplane...haha. Anyways, we went to the hotel and later walked to San Cristobol to look at the statue of Mary that overlooks the city. That night mark and I went to a jazz club about 15 min away. We got there at 9:30 thinking that would give us enough time to eat something before the jazz started. Little did we know that the club didn't even open until 11pm. The music was great though and I'm glad he got to see a bit of the CHilean night life. The next day we drove to Vina and got settled in the hotel . That night we went to my host home to have snacks and chat. My host mom went on about how young my dad looks and how my mom looks like a "lola" or young....maybe they should come here more often. The next day we went to ....drum roll please....the HOSPITAL! yes, exciting i know. Dad ended up with a sinus infection (I'm sure you love that I am sharing you medical history with everyone) and we spent about 4 hours there just to get a few prescriptions written. For the second half of the week we went to Pucon, a city south of here. WE took an overnight bus and the seats folded out into beds to make sleeping a bit easier. The next day mark and i got up to climb the volcano but the wind was too strong and the trip was canceled. Instead we all went to explore around the parks. We got a tiny car that barely made it up the mountains...quite an adventure. I'll post pictures tomorrow. The next day mark and I actually got to go most of the way up the volcano before the wind kicked up. We made it up part of the snow and then the guide had us turn around. the fun part was sledding down with ice picks. What a rush. Last night we took the bus back to santiago and spent the day walking around and planning what i'm going to do with the rest of my life....question of the week...haha....defiantly open to ideas...
Well i suppose thats all! Happy Easter!!!
Cristina