Chile: Part I

Alena, you've been in Chile for a week! What's it like?

Well, pretty much like America, except completely different.

Truth is Chile is very much like the good ol' Estados Unidos, but the countless little differences I encounter each day I'm here serve as a reminder that I am very far from home indeed.

Viña reminds me a lot of San Francisco. It seems like no matter where you're going, you're walking uphill. And you walk everywhere. Which is a good thing however because there is also an ice cream shop (or 3) on every corner.  The other transportation option is to take the bus or colectivo (a car that works like a bus. It seems odd, but it works.) 

My host family is delightful. They are so patient with me and do a great job speaking clearly and slow enough that I can understand. Unfortunately, I have the vocabulary of a 5 year old so conversations are still pretty rough.  (One day I was lamenting to my host dad that I spoke like a four year old. He replied "No, five years.") 

School is fun. I have 8 people in my class, 7 from AC and one girl from Germany. Learning about he similarities and differences between our three cultures has been one of my favorite parts of the trip.

The rest of the week has been filled with tours of Viña and neighboring Valparaiso, afternoons volunteering at a  girl's home/community center, a day trip to Isla Negra ( one of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda's three homes), trips to the beach with a performance of Beethoven's 5th at a huge outdoor amphitheater thrown in for good measure. Week one's been awesome. The time is flying by and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for the up