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