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I should have started this blog a long time ago seeing as I've been residing in Chile (what!) for 5 weeks now. I've been having such a great time its been hard to keep in as great of contact as I would like. However, I hope to keep you all updated here!
When I first arrived to Valdivia my host Dad; Miguel immediately greeted me outside with the Chilean tradition of a kiss on the cheek. I couldn't believe I'd arrived in the realm of Spanish and South America but my exhaustion outweighed my prior family and home anticipation. The 26 hours of traveling was brutal but I've come to laugh at that statement because I've been told North Americans simply don't travel much and think easy distances are further then they actually are.
I immediately showered and unpacked my things, the experiencing had begun.. no time for a nap yet! My first lunch with the family was a bit Spanish speaking-clumsy on my behalf, but it was expected from all parties. I slept 14.5 hours that night, the longest I've ever slept in my life!
By the second day I learned that lunch time is the most important meal here; as dinner is to the United States. For lunch this day we ate rice, chicken, salad and the staple of all meals here: BREAD… I was glad to see the food here was going to be similar to what I ate in the states, if not better. By the second day I already conversed with my family about Martin Luther King's importance and religion. Immediately I was graced with a cultural exchange that I knew living with a Chilean family could give me. My host sister Sibyl and I played "Heart and Soul" on the piano together, I hadn't played the piano in years! My family took me out to dinner at the famous local brewery "Kunstmann."
Our home is a place I could not be happier with: yellow, red, orange and blue paint throughout the house. Diego Rivera art and sculptures as well. It's a very authentic chilean home. My host Mom Sibyl, Dad Miguel, Brother Gustavo, Sister Sibyl, and Cousin Milton help me with my homework and pronunciation regularly; I feel so incredibly comfortable and at home with them. The most funny part about living with a family again is feeling about 5 years younger.. tip toeing through the house late at night, calling friends and talking to their parents first, giving times to return to the house and constant agendas.
A culture shock about nightlife is that Chileans go out from 2am-6am! Its craazy. I've been practicing salsa dancing but it's difficult! I often feel that on the weekends I've switched back to West Coast time because waking up at 1pm or 2pm (10am or 11am West Coast Time)is about right for the weekends. A lot of the music is United States influenced too, which I didn't expect. The first night I went out and got lost I felt ridiculous wanting my iPhone navigation.. I'm finally getting used to reading maps but the beginning was not easy.
Sundays are relax days.. naps, meals in bed, relaxing. I love it.
The first week consisted of placement tests, program mandatory meetings.. took pictures for our student ID's and registered with the local police station. I struggled a bit with opionated teachers and facing US stereotypes, but all to be expected with the upcoming election in the spotlight. I'm enrolled in Chilean Culture, International Relations between Latin America and the US, Advanced Composition and Coversation, and Hispanic America Literature.. I have class Monday-Wednesday, four day weekends are fantastic. I'm also volunteering once a week for a couple hours teaching English to 10 students at the University, its very rewarding. I'm enrolled in a work out class twice a week with my host sister too.
I spent my first two weekends in Valdivia and the past three weekends traveling. This weekend I'm mostly relaxing trying to catch up on sleep, spanish, and picture uploading but Sunday I'm headed to the snow with my family here. I'm going to blog soon about my travels...
One Love!
T
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