The adventure begins in Chile!

Chile!

I arrived safely to Santiago on Sunday the 20th of January. I had a hostel booked, so I found my way from the airport to the hostel via the subway. The sweat dripping down my body let me know it is summer here. And walking around and hearing not a word of English let me know I'm not in the US anymore. I'm here - finally!

I settled in the hostel and met a very nice American who is working between Argentina and Chile. He showed me a nice place to eat and gave me tips about Santiago. I've tried to speak only spanish with the people here to form the habit of learning everyday. So maybe I will begin writing this blog in spanish. Is that okay with you?

I did not like Santiago very much. Huge city. Very polluted. Lots of people. I like smaller places where the people are more relaxed. So this morning, January 22nd, I took a bus to Valparaiso, a town near the pacific coast. I decided to sit next to a girl named Pamela. She grew up in Santiago and speaks only spanish. So I practiced for the hour and thirty minute bus ride. She asked what my plans were, and I told her I had none. So she invited me to hang out for the day for she had friends to visit. Of course I replied yes. What a great way to live, eh. One of her friends is a mother of two and is a host mom for university students. Her name is Blanca, and she invited me to stay at her house tonight for free! Actually, she gave me the keys to her home and said I should make myself comfortable! Her other friend has a small child. We met her and her mother at their very simple home in the beautiful hills of Valparaiso. We relaxed and talked for a while, then walked around the city to buy food for dinner. We cooked a meal together and I tried to understand everything they said. Chileans talk so fast! After dinner, we toured the city more which is full of art, beautiful homes and eccentric people. I like it here much more already.

Angelica, Pamela, Marianela and her baby

Chilenos are short. I'm 5'9

Pamela and Angelica soaking in the view from the pier in Valparaiso 

Angelica and I with Valparaiso in the background

A famous cafe overlooking the streets and hills

I practiced spanish all day, and barely spoke english. Writing this blog is the most I've thought in english all day! It's very tiring to listen and speak spanish all day. I need to concentrate very hard to understand. I have no idea how long I will stay here. I hear there is good surf an hour south of here, and that sounds like fun. Talk soon.

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January 26th, 2013 Valparaiso

Life here in Valparaiso is super relaxed. I'm staying with Raul and Blanca for free. Our days our very simple. Wake around noon. Eat breakfast together. Have great conversations for a couple hours while drinking tea. Walk around the city for a little while to buy food for lunch. Return to home, prepare food together. Eat and have great conversations. Drink lots of tea and wine. Eat another snack. And then go out at night - parties, concerts. Life is tranquilo.

Blanca lives in a big home and rents 6 rooms to students in college. This is how she makes a living. She has a huge heart and is very open to helping everyone out. I am very fortunate to have met her. Raul is her son, and is studying in university in Uruguay. Great timing to have spent 5 days with him before he left today to return home. He showed me around the city and introduced me to lots of friends.

Blanca and Raul are very special people that I look forward to staying in contact with for a long time. They introduced me to Chilean culture and with patience, taught me a ton of Spanish because no one in Valpo speaks English.

Amazing dinner with Blanca, Raul and their family friends. We stayed up till 4 am laughing and sharing stories. It seems common for people to stay up late.

Myself with Raul, Blanca and Javier

Raul is super cool. He lives in Uruguay now and has been a great friend to me while in Valparaiso. I look forward to spending more time with him in Uruguay. Blanca has the biggest heart and loves spending time with young people.