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!