So, today is my last day living out of my suitcase in Santiago. I have one more private spanish lesson in an hour, and then I officially graduate from a seriously intense week of Spanish instruction. It has been quite to week. I never thought that I would naturally begin to think in Spanish, but that is all I have been doing. Hearing and speaking Spanish 6 hours a day has really had an impact. Although I still sound like a child raised by wolves when I speak, I have indeed improved. I have also made a few new friends, which is always nice. Today, as it was the last class, we all brought in treats. It was fun to celebrate the tough week with people from all around the world. To be specific, there was Callum from Australia, Malissa from Thailand, Juana from Germany, Emma from Australia, Cherryl from The Phillipines, and Sandra from Italy. Being in situations like this, it makes you realize how great of a world we live in, and that although it is big, we are pretty much just like one another. This is getting slightly sappy, but this is why I love traveling. Meeting people from corners of the world you could only dream of visiting is pretty interesting. Sharing travel stories, asking about recommendations of their home countries, and poking fun at each others' cultures really never gets old (lots of Obama comments in the past week...). Overall, this has been a great experience thus far.
I am excited to move on to my new home in Valdivia, but sad to leave that guy I am marrying. The good news is that he is going to escort me to the bus station tonight! I didn't think he would be back in time, so this is indeed, a very pleasant surprise. I saw him only 3 days ago, but it feels like a month.
So, now that I have been in Chile for over a week, I figured I would share the top ten funny/odd/interesting/uncomfortable/endearing things I have learned about Santiago.
1. If you cook onions and/or garlic in your house, be prepared to be shunned by your neighbors and yelled at by your landlord. Apparently it counts as a "very smelly" food, which is not allowed. Controlling??
2. Public displays of affection in Chile make all Americans look like the awkward teenager with braces that has never been kissed. Seriously...I've never seen so much rolling around in public as I have here. In a totally non-creepy, non-perverted, non-molestor kind of way, I find it kind of sweet.
3. Stray dogs are equals. The butcher gives them fresh chicken. 50% of them are wearing fleece sweaters. They know when to cross the street, and when to wait for the signal. They seem to sniff out the "Extranjeros", and follow them...hoping that our sympathy bone kicks in and we share our empanadas with them.
4. When you build a city in the middle of the Andes, expect smog. Lots of smog. I was even told that when children in schools here paint a picture of the city, the horizon is in grey. When the smog is not as bad, it is beautiful.
5. You can try your hardest to dress, act, and talk like a local, but everyone knows you are not. I have accepted this, and find myself laughing daily at the awkward stares I get.
6. Chileans are classy. They dress nice, and they seem to be polite.
7. Chileans have eating habits figured out. Big lunch, small and late dinner. Cheap wine, whenever you please. These things...I love.
8. Although they talk REALLY fast, it seems as if the people of Santiago are willing to help you if you are willing to help yourself.
9. Department stores make no sense. At least to me. The TV's are next to the boys' clothing, and bed sheets are by the heaters. Como?
10. This place loves, LOVES avocados. You can smash it up and put it on just about anything. When you buy an avocado and slice it open, it is a heavenly, perfect green. It is spread on hot dogs (as we use ketchup), it is spread on bread, slice on a salad, mashed in your beer (kidding. but wouldn't be surprised). It is everywhere, and that makes me very, very happy.
Santiago, you're pretty cool. Take care of Jon for me. See you soon.
Adios,
Ashley
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to my blog! I decided to start this for 3 reasons. 1. I want everyone back home to be able to share in my experiences. 2. I want to remember years from now all of the minute things that made my trip what it will be. and 3. I express my feelings best through words...and in a country where I barely speak the language, it looks like a blog in English will be my best outlet. So here it goes..
Jon and I arrived in Santiago last Thursday morning. We had until yesterday (Tuesday) morning to explore the city, immerse ourself in the language, and spend our last days with each other. Our home for 5 days was a hostel call La Chimba in Barrio Bellavista of Santiago. This hostel is pretty great in terms of its location. It is right next to San Cristobol, a beautiful monument on the top of a very large hill. Our first full day in Santiago was spent hiking up to San Cristobol and enjoying the views. It was very surreal at the top, because all in one picture, you see snow-covered mountains, spring tree blossoms, endless buildings, and smog. The view was beautiful and awkward all at the same time.
Other than our hike, we have spent countless hours on our feet, exploring the city. Although Santiago has an amazing metro system, we decided we would learn more and see more on foot. Although this was true, it got pretty exhausting....Santiago is huge. My favorite highlight thus far was visiting the zoo in Santiago. It is built into the mountains and has countless beautiful animals, including PENGUINS. If you know me well, you know how exciting that is for me!!!
Overall, we had a pretty great few days together, but then yesterday morning came. I was dreading it. Jon had his first day with his study abroad program, which meant that our status as roomates was over.
They left for the coast early yesterday morning to begin their orientation and to enjoy in the must-haves of Chile. The second he left was when my new journey began...flying solo in a place far from home. I'm not going to lie...it has been hard. I thrive when I am surrounded by those I love. I enjoy learning, seeing and doing new things, but not alone. When I am alone, that is when I find I learn and experience the most, because I have no other choice.
That being said, I am enjoying this new alone time, because I am keeping myself busy. I have been in Spanish class for 3 days now, and am exTREMely overwhelmed. For 6 hours a day, its solo espanol. If I have a question, I have to ask it in Espanol. If I say anything in English, it is rarely understood. My level of Spanish before I came here was pretty low. Although I have only been in class for 3 days, I already can see an improvement. A class where English isn't an option is most definitely the best and only way to learn. It is frustrating, but it is helpful.
Although Santiago has treated me well and has been interesting, I am very anxious to move on to Part II of the trip. I leave for my city, Valdivia, on Friday night and arrive there Saturday morning. Although it will be further away from Jon, I am excited to finally reach my destination and to settle into my new home. Word on the street is that Valdivia is muy tranquillo...I think that is what I need. Calm and quiet. Santiago is a bit much for this little northerner who is used to glasses of Malbec on my quiet deck next to my fiance.
All in all, I couldn't be happier that I am here. It is good to put yourself out of your comfort zone. It had been a while since I did that, so here I am. With every passing day, I get a little more comfortable. Hopefully, I also get a little more fluent.
Until next time, I would love to chat with all of you whenever! As is probably obvious, I get lonely and love to share in the happenings of things back home.
Take care everyone!
La Gringa
Jon and I arrived in Santiago last Thursday morning. We had until yesterday (Tuesday) morning to explore the city, immerse ourself in the language, and spend our last days with each other. Our home for 5 days was a hostel call La Chimba in Barrio Bellavista of Santiago. This hostel is pretty great in terms of its location. It is right next to San Cristobol, a beautiful monument on the top of a very large hill. Our first full day in Santiago was spent hiking up to San Cristobol and enjoying the views. It was very surreal at the top, because all in one picture, you see snow-covered mountains, spring tree blossoms, endless buildings, and smog. The view was beautiful and awkward all at the same time.
Other than our hike, we have spent countless hours on our feet, exploring the city. Although Santiago has an amazing metro system, we decided we would learn more and see more on foot. Although this was true, it got pretty exhausting....Santiago is huge. My favorite highlight thus far was visiting the zoo in Santiago. It is built into the mountains and has countless beautiful animals, including PENGUINS. If you know me well, you know how exciting that is for me!!!
Overall, we had a pretty great few days together, but then yesterday morning came. I was dreading it. Jon had his first day with his study abroad program, which meant that our status as roomates was over.
They left for the coast early yesterday morning to begin their orientation and to enjoy in the must-haves of Chile. The second he left was when my new journey began...flying solo in a place far from home. I'm not going to lie...it has been hard. I thrive when I am surrounded by those I love. I enjoy learning, seeing and doing new things, but not alone. When I am alone, that is when I find I learn and experience the most, because I have no other choice.
That being said, I am enjoying this new alone time, because I am keeping myself busy. I have been in Spanish class for 3 days now, and am exTREMely overwhelmed. For 6 hours a day, its solo espanol. If I have a question, I have to ask it in Espanol. If I say anything in English, it is rarely understood. My level of Spanish before I came here was pretty low. Although I have only been in class for 3 days, I already can see an improvement. A class where English isn't an option is most definitely the best and only way to learn. It is frustrating, but it is helpful.
Although Santiago has treated me well and has been interesting, I am very anxious to move on to Part II of the trip. I leave for my city, Valdivia, on Friday night and arrive there Saturday morning. Although it will be further away from Jon, I am excited to finally reach my destination and to settle into my new home. Word on the street is that Valdivia is muy tranquillo...I think that is what I need. Calm and quiet. Santiago is a bit much for this little northerner who is used to glasses of Malbec on my quiet deck next to my fiance.
All in all, I couldn't be happier that I am here. It is good to put yourself out of your comfort zone. It had been a while since I did that, so here I am. With every passing day, I get a little more comfortable. Hopefully, I also get a little more fluent.
Until next time, I would love to chat with all of you whenever! As is probably obvious, I get lonely and love to share in the happenings of things back home.
Take care everyone!
La Gringa
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