The Chilean Experience Abroad: DOS MESES DE CHILE... (5/10/2014)

So…. it’s been 2 months and 1 week since I’ve arrived in Chile. Crazy huh?? Time flies... School has been exhausting, and after fiesta patrias...things got real! Well, I said that I would let you know how I really felt by this time. I past the “honeymoon” phase about two weeks ago. I’m not homesick, but I do miss being in my comfort zone, speaking English 24/7. It has been frustrating, I’m not going to lie, but I’m pushing through. I’m not an eavesdropper, but I just want to be able to hear other people's conversations and understand the conversation. I do speak and understand spanish with my Chilean family and others that speak to me. It’s just when the conversation isn’t directed towards me, it just takes so much effort and energy to listen and understand. They say Chilean Spanish is the hardest... I will get it though!
I'm sure many of you that have been abroad and have taken public transportation prayed for your life during the ride. One night Calley and I took a micro to meet some other friends, and what we didn't realize is that we were on the "party" bus. People were yelling, jumping up and down, tryning to rock the bus, and chanting something at the driver. Next thing we notice, the bus started going faster, the lights were flickering, we're swerving in the curves...I mean it's a normal bus ride, but it got real when the racing began. Lolz Other than that, I’m still alive and all good.
Oh, and what's better than being able to watch Scandal! ;)

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What I Know About Chile After 2 Months

There are a couple of things I knew about Chile before I came: Spanish is the official language ;), Santiago is the capital, Michelle Bachelet is the first female president of Chile, the country has a long coastline, Easter Island (isla de Pascua) is a popular tourist attraction, and cooper is one of their main exports.

Things I learned here and some fun facts about Chile:

The Chilean flag was influenced by the US flag
Chilean countrymen and skilled horsemen are called huasos (similar to the American cowboy)
Chile is one of only two countries in all of South America that does not border Brazil
Valparaiso is one of the most prosperous cities in all of Chile (the region I live in)
The majority of the Chilean population lives in the capital city of Santiago
Chile has the largest annual fireworks show in all of South America, in the City of Valparaiso (again, the region I live in)
Chile's borders also extend past the main land. Chile claims part of Antarctica and the southern most island known as Joses.
Chile has one of the world’s largest and most deserted deserts known as “Atacama” (which I'll be visiting soon)
The most popular tourist attraction in all of Chile is Vina del Mar (my home city)

We took a historical trip to Santiago and I'll just insert the ISA agenda... "This cultural activity is a return visit to Santiago to explore the political history of Chile, focusing on the Military Coup of 1973, the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and its dramatic repercussions. The activity begins with a visit to the Cementerio General, where students will tour the cemetery of famous presidents and other notable Chilean figures, as well as learn about its uses during the Pinochet regime. The second stop is a guided tour of Villa Grimaldi, an estate used by the DINA (National Intelligence Directorate) or Chilean secret police, as a place of torture and interrogation for those who supported the Socialist government of Salvador Allende (overthrown by Pinochet) and those who opposed the dictatorship. The final stop is to the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, where the students will learn about human rights violations from 1973-1990, including the Coup d' état, the repression in the following years, the resistance of those in exile, and the international solidarity and political reparations won by coup victims."

Brillantes
Every Friday evening, there is a dance group that comes out and performs in the plaza. My little sister wants to dance with them one day.

Well Fitness Day at UAI
October 1 is a day for the university also known as Well Fitness Day. It seems like fitness is more important than education at my school. Not really, but the gym is packed every day (even though students are required to take an exercise class twice a week.) Instead of staying asleep in my warm cozy bed, a group of us decided to go to school and participate in the events. We found excitement in jogging a 2k. I had to walk up the hills. They are no joke.

Trinity Reunited
Out of the x-amount of Trinity students abroad this semester, two of us are studying in Chile. Freddie and I met last semester at school while I was working. We found out that we both had the same major and was interested in studying abroad in the same country. We kept each other updated on our pre-departure status, making sure that we both were set to go. We promised each other that at some point during our time abroad, we’ll have to see each other since we’re only living about 129km from one another. Freddie and a friend of her program traveled to Valparaiso and we were able to get together and have a good time. GO TRINITY!

El Carnaval de Mil Tambores
“That color, music and dance fill your hearts! Cultural heritage of folk art, meeting place, trench peace, justice and dignity of peoples.” This is a carnival that's been going for 15 years now and it is a tribute to the city of Valparaiso. Sybille and I enjoyed ourselves.