Memories Have Been Made :)

I can't believe I'm sitting here typing this and it's the last day of my trip.  It has been so, so amazing!  So far today we've gone to Valparaiso for Mama to get some papers for her new job then to the artisan fair where I bought two last gifts.  Mama surprised me by getting me a little pendenant made of lapislazuli as well as gifts for my family.  She is too sweet!  We'll be eating lunch soon then I'm taking them to get helado.  Soon after that I'll make my way to UVM with my 51 pound suitcase and a lot of memories.  Below are a few Chileanisms for yall....just some random things that always go on here:


I love that car alarms sound like a guy whistling at a girl
And that people walk down the street and mind their own business
And that every pregnant woman feels the need to wear a midriff shirt.

I love that I’ve written every date in Spanish for the month of January
And that I have a tan
And that I go to the beach all the time.

I love that body image doesn’t matter here

And that people only eat good food because they like food that tastes good
And that they say they’re on a diet as they shove a cookie in their mouth.

I love that people don’t wear watches because they don’t let their lives be ruled by time

And that the days start later
And that it’s okay if you’re running late.

I love it that people love,
And that they’re in love,
And that they’re passionate.

I love it that we speak in Spanish,

And that strangers speak about me in Spanish thinking I don’t know what they’re saying
And that I can understand them.

I love that we climbed a volcano,

And stood barefoot on a black sand beach,
And navigated our way around a capital city in a foreign country.

I love that we volunteered at Hogar Niño Amor

Because those kids impacted our lives more than we impacted theirs
And they will always have a place in my heart.

I love that people wear shirts with the saying “This City Never Sleeps”

Because it’s true and people go out at night and they have fun and they don’t worry about rest
Because who needs rest when you can have fun.

I love it that I’ve gotten to stay with a host family

And meet all their friends
And go to church with my host mom.

I love it that people walk everywhere

And if they need to go further they take a bus
And it they need to go even further they take a collectivo.

I love it that we get helado all the time

And that we know the workers at Mo’s
And that they know us.

I love it that we go to Bravissimo,

And Morena’s
And Café Journal.
 
I love it that we have tons of inside jokes
“Let’s Ruca this Mapuche” “Is that a shipwreck!?” “Are we gonna ride the Ferris Wheel?”
“Look I made up a new dance move…it’s called the airplane” “Do the Miley!” and so much more…

I love it that we’ve made memories that will last a lifetime

And that our friendships have grown stronger
And that we will always be the Chile 2012 Interim group.

Basically I love Chile

Especially Viña del Mar
And I’m really going to miss it here J

Beach Bums :)

This morning I got up late and we had breakfast at about 11.  Then everyone put bathing suits on and we packed our lunches.  Mama's sister & niece came over & we all piled into the car to head to a beach about an hour away near ConCon.  It was so nice there!  There were barely any people and the sand was really soft and flat.  We set up our umbrellas, had lunch, and just relaxed.  After a little while Catalina & I went in the ocean which was beyond freezing but we eventually kind of adjusted to the water.  We stayed there until 7 then drove home.  About halfway through the car ride home I realized how exremely sunburned the entire back of my body is....awesome.  I'm really looking forward to sitting on that place for  6+ hours tomorrow now.  Back at home I had some soup for dinner.  The whole gringo crew is meeting soon at Cafe Journal to reminesce on the month.  I cannot believe I'm leaving this amazing country tomorrow!  I've had great experiences here that I will never forget!  I've heard the phrase "Que te vaya bien" so many times this month and I have definitely had a good journey :)

Tuesday!

Today was a great accomplishment because we completely finished our classes! This morning we had final exams--a written one in Veronica's class and an oral exam in Marisol's class. After our exams SG, AG, Elizabeth, Gardner, and I went to the artisan fair and then to Lider to buy some necessities aka Manjar and Chilean candy. After that I went home for lunch and slept some.  Then the five freshman girls went out for ice cream together at Bravissimo's so that was fun.  I can't believe we only have 2 days left!

Studying & Kite Pics

Today was the last day of classes before final exams!!  We had an exam in Marisol's class then finished watching "Volver" (wierdest movie ever) in Veronica's class.  After classes we went to the artisan fair then I went home for lunch.  I studied for a while then SG, Elizabeth, and I went to the beach to take kite pictures at sunset.  After that we edited the pictures and studied at SG's house then I went home and studied more.  It was definitely and simple but fun day :)

DoMiNgO

This morning the whole family woke up and had a quick breakfast at about 11...ham, cheese, toast, and tea.  Then everyone got dressed and around 1 we drove to Valparaiso for lunch at a really good seafood restaurant by the ocean.  We ate there and they ordered salmon for me because I had such a confused look on my face while reading names of seafood in Spanish.  It was really good!  After that we took some pictures by the ocean and then drove back to Bravissimo in Vina to get helado.  We hurried to the bus station after that because my host dad had to leave to make it to his flight on time because he works in the north during the week.  Once we told him bye, we went back home and got ready to go to Renaca to Mama's friend, Carmen Gloria's, house.  Her house is gorgeous and it overlooks the entire city.  She lived in the US for 11 years and her husband works there now and comes home to Chile as often as possible.  It was neat to see all American stuff in her house because they had everything shipped here when they moved back to Chile.  We swam in her pool then had once together.  Mama's sister, brother-in-law, and niece were there too and Carmen Gloria's brother, sister, and 2 nieces so it was fun to have lots of people there.  After that we took Mama's sister, brother-in-law, and niece home then went to the grocery store before going home.

Sabado!!

This morning I got to sleep in then I woke up and had breakfast.  I got dressed and did some photo editing then we had lunch at about 3 with the whole fam + Angelica.  It was fun & the food was amazing!  We had baked pumpkin, colliflower, rice, onion salsa, melon, and tomatoes!  After lunch I headed to Valpo with Anna Grace, Gardner, Elizabeth, Sarah Grace, Laura Kate, Chris, Brody, and Brooks. Everyone else had lunch at a little cafe then SG, LK, Elizabeth, and I used the asinado (sky lift up the mountain) to go to a little flea market.  We got some ice cream, went down the mountain, and took a bus home.  Elizabeth came home with me and hung out for a little while.  When she left I cleaned my room and then had dinner with Mama.  Then I got ready for Fran's party and I'm about to leave to meet everyone at Cafe Journal so we can head to the party together!

Viernes

This morning I got to take a test in Veronica's class...not too fun.  After that we watched part of some weird movie with Penelope Cruz.  In Marisol's class we did our presentations/had our dabate.  After class we went to a casa de cambio so some people could change money.  Then all the freshman girls walked to 5 Norte to check our a sushi place and see if we wanted to eat there later.  SG, Elizabeth, and I went to the beach for a little while then I went home and did some work before getting ready for dinner.  Anna Grace, Gardner, Elizabeth, Sarah Grace, and I ended up going to the sushi place and it was really fun....minus the fact that I'm not a big sushi fan though haha We all enjoyed being able to dress up and just hang out together :)