I wanted to post this photo--it's from La Campana, a national park we visited on the last day of orientation. It says:
"We only go to places we want to see, we only appreciate what we learn to see, we only care for what we appreciate. Hopefully, more than giving you information, we have awoken a curiosity and respect in you for this forest. Share your respect with other forests and your curiosity with other friends. "
I thought this was great because it's so telling of the way people communicate in Latin America that is so different from North America--I imagine this sign in America would say, "Please respect the park and do not litter, etc." Here we get a something to think about! Spanish has a romantic element to the language, and I thought it was shown here!

Also, last night my friend Ale (aka ally) and I were out and finished the night up in a Salsa bar--we were the only gringas, of course, but it was the first time I actually tried to salsa with a real salsa dancer. When we first got there this woman asked us to dance all three of us together, that was great, and I didn't have to notice how little I know as much. Once i was with a partner that all became very real, hah. But you've gotta go through that part! It was fun!

Today we have a day off from activities, so I slept in and after lunch might go on a walk or a run or something to get outside. The sun is still shining; we haven't had a dreary day yet!

La Casa Central of Universidad Pontifica Catolica. Bonito no?!

Yesterday I "pre registered"--as of now, which is almost guaranteed to change, I am taking a Black and White photography class, two history classes--Collective Memory and The Mexican Revolution--a Chilean literature class and my spanish grammer class. Also, I dont have classes on fridays, so that I can go on small vacations!

My last few days have been nice. I like getting around the city, took the metro (train, for us new yorkers) for the first time, toured some of the other campuses and got out to a pub nearby. It's nice to think I'll really get to know another city than New York--and this one is so different! On my run yesterday with one of my sisters we jogged alongside the beach. The vista is massive and with sun and a mix of houses and beach and buildings along the coastline it was quite the treat for a jog. I'm spoiled what with getting to jog while i enjoy the Hudson or the reservoir in new york or the ocean and palm trees here. While I've talked about how cold it can be inside, during the day outside--with the sun out--it's really warm. If not t-shirt weather, a sweater is perfect or too much! It's been mid 60s a few times!

But I don't want to make it sound like this is total paradise. The city is also grungy around the edges, a bit dirty or run down in parts, stray dogs are everryywheree (although I have to admit I find i think they're cute and cool for struttin around like its nothing. i guess its a novelty for me), and most parts (so far) have felt pretty fast foody or crammed with shops. However, I've heard of areas that are supposed to be more romantic and pleasant to walk in. I just haven't gotten to them yet.

As I mentioned briefly, I have a great local. I'm near this pub "Cafe Journal" that's known for being a popular spot for extranjeros (foreigners). And while this generally makes me eek a little, the place is really awesome and artsy. It has photos and weird art all over the walls, big wooden tables and benches, and is very large and spacious. The other afternoon I went with someone from the group, Eli, who lives nearby. We had some really delicious wine (the bottle cost 13 dollars, and from the little experience i have, i'd like to presume that it was definitely better than some 13 dollar bottles i've had. the waiter recommended it!). Last night, I went back to Cafe Journal, but at night (especially wednesdays) it changes completely! Thank goodness its spacious because even with its size by 12 30 am you just can't move! I met some Chileans there, and that was great because I got to speak casual spanish and possibly make some friends! It was a hard place to be, though, because it was easy to lose people you were with and then suddenly they'd be gone. But not in a bad way or anything, the place felt really friendly, and I was so close to home!

This is during the day, when it was oh-so-quiet and spacious, at Cafe Journal.

In a bit I'm going to go to Valpo with mi mama and mi hermana, to look at some tiendas (shops). Every day is getting better with the family while we get used to each other. The language is getting better too? Maybe? It's hard to say. It certainly was with a couple drinks in me last night!

First day in Valpo

I'm sitting in la sala so that i can be closer to la calefacción--the heater! I have the spanish tv on, and my course lists next to me, to keep me busy for the night. i am not much inclined to go out considering the cold and the getting around. I'll have plenty of time to get out! for now, i like the idea of being here. when i leave this room, i head back into the cold that is the rest of the house. ahh but the good news is that this is my only complaint!

Today the exchange students had the first day of orientation at the Universidad Pontifica Catolica (Catolica)--there are a total of about 280 exchange students. Most of them are from the US, but there are a bunch from France, Switzerland and a few from Germany, Brazil, Argentina...the list goes on and on. So it will be cool to meet people from all over--I hope i do!

After a "Bienvenidos" discussion, I spent the day with a girl from the program, Alexandra or Ale. We spoke with the director of academics for a bit, stopped at the mall for a few cositas (things) and then walked around Valpo! We stopped for lunch at some place to have a little lunch and some wine. And then we head back to the school to take a dance class! One of the dance instructors we had while in Olmué is the dance teacher during the semester at Catolica, so a bunch of kids from the program met today for another class. Real fun, gets hard, and it was two hours so i was totally tired by the end! At least it was some exercise. Ale wants to go use the moves at some dance place--i bet i'll lose confidence when i'm surrounded by all those chilenos!

But it was just fabulous walking about Valpo a bit! It's true, there are colors everywhere. Houses upon houses cover the hills of the city. My ride to school on the Micro--the bus--is along the coast. On one side is the ocean, on the other the hills of valpo and viña as well as beautiful buildings, political graffiti, and spanish spanish spanish! We walked through a mercado, and along streets that were filled with people selling various things. Of course, I only saw a tidbit of the city! I didn't want to be taking photos on the first day--but eventually I'll have much to display here!

What else? I haven't exactly clicked with people in the group, and i guess the idea of going out and trying to meet with people when i don't the place yet is a bit intimidating (especially since the cold tends to keep me inside!). Today was nice with Ale, so perhapds i've found a friend there. But i can see how it could get boring and lonely! Without homework, I don't have anything to do! Also, even though talking in english is a nice break, i dont want to get in the habit of talking in english with them. Ah well, i can't forget it's only day two. All this will settle eventually!

¡aqui estoy!

I'm bundled up in layers underneath blankets in my room at the Loyola's house! Indoors all over Chile, if I didn't mention it in my first post, are not heated so it gets verry cold. My room is really sweet--there is a large window (which i haven't been able to see out of yet because it's been nighttime since I arrived) dressed in lovely mustard yellow curtains. I have my own bathroom, a little closet, a dresser, a desk and even a bedside table! It's perfect! There's a TV even in here! While in the states I probably would have turned it on rarely, I hope I get hooked on some telenovelas (soap operas) since they'll be so good for my spanish!

The family is really great. I haven't yet spent too much time with them, but I'm trying to catch the jokes and send some of my own back at them. But of course, bringing out your personality in another language ends up changing it! And also, I can't tell jokes in English. The mother is "Vero" and the father is "Pepe." Tomorrow I'll have to be sure they are okay with being called by these names. Then I have a 21 and 22 year old sister, Maité and Pía. Though they both seem really nice, Pía was more outgoing. But I hope I can be friendly with both of them.

I right away went to get a pre-paid cell phone from el mall, and then they took me to these cute little cafe where dinner was basically a piece of cake! It seems the Chileans like their desserts! It's hard worrying about things to talk about in situations like that, but I need to keep reminding myself that it's okay not always be talking. Especially right now! But I do admit I got caught in a few situations where I could tell I didn't understand what they had said--you can see it in their eyes! It's funny that we both sat there and just nodded our heads (or i discreetly shook mine), soon moving on to some other question.

The family seems comfortable and close with each other, and it seems like it will be really nice. Tomorrow I'll go over the more particular reglas-de-casa and meet mi abuela! aqui estoy and aqui voy!

A view of the hotel in Olmué!

Here is the group on the cabalgata!

Bienvenidos

Hola from Olmué, Chile!

Today is day three here in this small town about 40 minutes from Valparíso. We're spending orientation here, where we've been talking about the IFSA-Butler program, Chilean culture and spanish, safety and more. Yesterday we went on a "cabalgata," or a horse ride. The area is beautiful with massive mountains as a background--it's amazing having such large mountains so close! So the cabalgata was gorgeous and relaxing, but I also noted that the horses seemed really hungry and weak. Some of the horses were even sitting on the ground while other students were riding them! I can't say I know too much about horses but that seems odd and overworked to me! Otherwise, it was really lovely. And I'll post some pictures to show it!

A lot of the students here are from Minnesota--a whole bunch come from Denver University. But there are students from all over aside from that. Overall the group is friendly and interesting--I don't know how to feel about it since I don't particularly want to spend too much time with them once I move in with the family. At least while I'm trying to get the language down! For now its nice to get to know them.

We'll go on a small hike tomorrow in a national park before heading to Vina del Mar. That's where we will all be living, which is the city right next to Valpo (local nickname for Valparaíso). The commute time, without traffic, is about twenty minutes by bus (i think). But apparently we need to assume traffic and it will be more like a 45 minute commute. Oh well, not as bad as a commute to Staten Island!

We took our exams today--I did so badly on the grammar part! But it seems like everyone did. Most of us haven't taken a grammar class in so long! At least he said I spoke well--for now, since I'm all worried about my daily survival en las calles de chile, i'm most concerned with being able to speak. I can always check my grammar over and over before I hand in anything at school.

I'm getting excited about classes! There seems like some great history course options. But Butler has told us how the classes change so much--with everything, scheduling is subject to change change change. Otherwise, I'm for now anticipating and totally worrying about all the ladrones! Ladrones are thieves. It's supposed to be terrible! They rip gold jewlery off (luckily I have none) and sound like they're everywhere all the time! People have their cell phones stolen out of their hands! So I have to really be careful. And I don't want to feel crazed about it. But yeah, that'll be something to keep aware of.

Okay, I'm skyping with Rachael for now! So I'll post more soon! (pictures aren't working for now, hopefully they'll come soon!)