He Regresado!

Hola a todos!!

I just got back from an intense weekend of orientation/getting to know one another activities. It was a grrreat time, and quite interesting at times as well. We got to Lago Rapel (a manmade lake that is a popular weekend destination for local Santiagoans) around 8 pm and then ate dinner. The resort where we stayed was very nice---I stayed with 8 girls in a small cabin directly over-looking the lake---it was perfecto. After dinner my friend Judy and I started an impromtu dance party, which turned into an all night event with a DJ and all. Im still trying to figure out how a DJ just happened to show up on the scene, but he did, and he was great (although he played every song about 5 times). We tore up the dance floor as some Chilean women stared at us in wonder (only to show us up the next night with their stellar salsa moves and perfected twists and twirls). It was a great night...and a VERY early morning.

There is no need to go into detail about the weekend. It was your basic orientation---lots of long meetings where people talk over each other and too many stupid and obvious questions are asked. We did have a lot of free time though, which was nice. We went swimming in the pool and lounged around in the grass. I got my first "color" of the trip----so now im not QUITE as white as I used to be! Que buenisimo!

Im not going to lie to you, this weekend felt a little bit like highschool. Its inevitable, whenever you bring together a group of 56 young people and have them interact and socialize, there is going to be some interesting drama or strange dynamics. I swear, within five minutes, there were clicks and popular kids and not so popular kids (you know, all that good stuff that we all wish we could forget from junior high and high school). It was a bit ridic. What sucks the most is that I know that individually every person is pretty damn cool. If they werent, they wouldnt be here. Unfortunately, though, I feel like the lines have been drawn and the groups have been made. I dont know where I stand in the whole thing exactly, all I know is that the girl who went and got a manicure and pedicure (with tips, mind you) on the first day in Santiago does not need to be my friend. I mean, really, it feels like the Real World times 8 (7x8...you do the math). Whatever. As soon as classes start, everything will be different, it was just frustrating.

So...that is my story of the weekend. Ups and downs, downs and ups. I had a great conversation when I got home (aka home to Santiago) with my hermana chilena. She loved hearing the stories about the weekend and told me that she totally understands my frustrations with the aforementioned scenario. Its funny, it was in coming back to Santiago that I realized that I really am comfortable here. I got off the bus and my madre chilena was waiting for me and took me home on the bus. I walked in the door only to see the entire family gathered, chatting and gossiping. So precious...it made me miss my own family a bit...but I've got a LONG way to go yet.

Anyway, I hope this finds all of you well!!!!! I've got an exciting/busy week ahead, so I will try to catch you up later. I think we are headed to Valparaiso on Friday to catch some sun (and seee Karinaaa!!!!) Im going to get a cell phone tomorrow, so you all will have a way to contact me (although SKYPE is better---Im mostly just getting a cell phone for security reasons here). Im verrrry tired, so Im out. CHAUUUUUUU!!!!

Love...Beth o.


P.S. Some of the quotes of the weekend:
1. amame! (i dont have an accent key on this computer...so imagine an accent on the first "a")
2. thats the fucking verdad.
3. me voy (in a jovial, "over it," voice).

Public Transportation

I survived………one day! Today was my first day going to/from the University. We had an orientation to meet the professors of our intensive language program as well as talked with some student leaders of our respective universities about classes and professors and what to expect. The most entertaining part of the day, however, was getting to and from the University.

I started the day with Maria Jesus, mi hermana chilena. She took me to the metro (subway) station and I bought a frequent traveler card. She accompanied me as we got on the subway and were on our way. After four stops, we got off and caught the micro (bus). CRAZINESS. Talk about hundreds of buses with different numbers, different names, different colors, different directions, different stops. Total chaos. ANYWAY…Maria Jesus got me onto the right bus, and we were on our way…

…HOWEVER, after a certain hour of the day, the bus changes its course. Soooo….we are sitting there, and I see another student from my program with her host mom and she is looking a little confused. They got up to talk to the driver, who then informed us of the “cambio de direccion”---kind of important information. Soooo…we got off the bus and managed to stumble upon the University. With that level of confidence, Maria Jesus gave me my bag lunch, a kiss on the cheek, and a “buenasuerte” that I find my way home. Classic.

Anyway…class was great…the coordinators of the program seem awesome…and everything in that respect will be fine. Its getting home that will be today’s big test. Soooo…after our daily schedule finishes up, about five of us, all heading in the same general direction to our houses, get on the bus with a host mother of one of the students. She then directs us when to get off the bus, and I am confident that I know where I’m going. I get off…find the metro stop…and Im on my way. I left Nick with his map, a general direction of where to go, and a hope that he made it there okay. We shall see!!!! Anyway, confident that my adventure is over, I get on the subway and get off at my stop…and my adventure begins again.

When I got off the subway, I looked up and found myself in a maze of exits, all leading to different sides of different streets. I exited one way—looking for our tall white high rise (only to discover that ALL the buildings around us are tall white high rises) and then decided I was in the wrong place, so I went back underground to see if I could find a different exit. I felt like a little mole or rodent or something, poking my head out looking for danger ("Did I leave the gas on? NO I'm an f-ing squirrel!!"--eddieizzard). Anyway…eventually I found the correct building, but I couldn’t cross the street for fear of DEATH from all the cars, so I went back underground to find the exit next to my building. Que loco.

I have decided that Santiago is an unusual city---a city of mezcla. Some things are so advanced, others are incoherently basic and…I’ll go ahead and say it…third world. I mean, I bought my subway pass, which is then scanned by a laser “thingy” and automatically charged the amount for one ride---pretty advanced stuff. Then I get home and I have to put my toilet paper in the trashcan because the plumbing sucks. I truly think that, while they could change, they enjoy this slightly more simple lifestyle…even though they are one of the few Latin American countries with the infrastructure to change such things.

Enough of that. Santiago is a beautiful city. The Andes shine in the background, tempting the city-goers to slow down just a bit. It is a city where I stand out a little less, with other rubias walking around, making me less of a sore thumb in the crowded metro. It is a city filled with movement, buses, taxis, and motivation—motivation to work hard and contribute to the patria that is chile. I have so much more to explore...for now, that is all. I will be gone for the weekend, but I hope you have a good one!!!

Chau…
(Eliza) Beth o.

PERFECTO!!!!!

Everything is perfect. I cannot believe it. Today, after 26 hours en route with layovers and waiting at the study center, I met Maria Jesus, my Madre Chilena. She is perfect--a short, spunky woman with a shaved head and a sense of humor. She is divorced, has three kids--two girls and a boy. The two girls are 11 and 20--Valentin y Jesus. They are perfect. The eleven year old--Valentin--is still in her awkward stage, but she is adorable and so sweet and sooo excited to have me here. Jesus is awesome---she loves all my music, she is studying political science at the same university that I will attend, she is vegetarian, and she loves everything about asia...and wants to travel there one day. She is starting to learn Chinese this semester. How AWESOME is that! I havent met there son yet...he is 19 and is currently working up in the Andes on some road building project. He is a sociology major at my university (dont worry mom...he has a girlfriend)

I have highspeed wireless internet IN THE HOUSE...which is pretty much unheard of...so communication with all of you should be no problem. I live in Las Condes...a sector further away from the school, but considered the nicest area of Santiago. We live in a high rise apartment building, my room is tiny (about 6 by 10) but I LOVE it. I always said that I would prefer an awesome family with a modest house as opposed to the other way around, so I am stoked. I havent met or learned too much about the University yet. We just showed up, were matched up with our madres, and went on our way. As soon as I got here, they made lunch for me--chicken, salad, tomatoes, rice, and stir fried veggies. She says they dont eat much red meat, so thats works out quite well for my situation. Nothing seems too different yet. They drink a lot of wine, LOVED the chocolates I brought, LOVED LOVED LOVED the book that I brought, and....que mas...they are great. I fell asleep right after lunch and woke up after 5 hours!! YIKES.

Anyway, I guess that is all for now. I am exhausted from all of the excitement, and the need to keep my brain alert in understanding all of this spanish. So far, the language has not been a problem at all. The taxi driver spoke pretty fast, but he was still understandable, so that was good. I hope you are all doing well...and that we will be in touch soon. Maria Jesus already had SKYPE on her computer!! So...if you want to call me....you can!! Soooo great.

Take Care....
Beth o.

Me (on left) and my sis in ecuador. I'll put in a photo from Chile when I get there! chau! 

Almost time!

Alright--9 days before departure. I have set up this little blog to keep people posted on my adventures. I will try to update it as often as possible, but no guarantees! I am starting to get nervous about packing and everything, but I know it won't be too bad. I will miss you all!!!