A brief overview of the past few days. On Sunday my host parents, Carolina and Andres, took me to Cerro San Cristobal which is one of the two mountains within the Santiago city limits. The road to the top is a windy, narrow 8 kilometer stretch with amazing panoramic views of the city. We drove to the summit and I am genuinely shocked that we didn't take someone out on our way up. For those of you from the Bay Area, imagine a one-way Fish Ranch Road with probably 50 times the cyclists, and 50 times the joggers. Now add to that image a substantial amount of dogs (not on leashes) and you've got a good idea of what San Cristobal is like! The view from the top was unfortunately not as breathtaking as it should have been. Santiago has a huge pollution problem- smog that covers the city and definitely takes away from the incredibly beauty of the nearby Andes. I've been told that the smog clears after a good rain, so I'm going to make sure to return to San Cristobal when the views are more spectacular.
The Santiago fog and Andes
The road!! The picture doesn't do it justice.. there were TONS more people
School started on Monday. I'm only taking fourteen units so I am barely ever in class which gives me more time to explore Santiago. I'm taking two spanish classes, one Chilean culture class and (MY FAVORITE) a CHILEAN DANCE CLASS!!!! Last night about 35 of us learned merengue and Cueca, the traditional dance of Chile. Our teacher probably had the time of her life- teaching all these gringos how to move their hips! The first hour of class we learned some basic steps, then the second we paired up and danced. It was one of my favorite memories so far.. Watching everyone fumble the steps, step on toes, slip, and look like fools. It was great. There were three Chilean men dancers ( guapo men i might add) who danced with us and they were super suave and intense. My friends and I are hoping they'll be back so we can convince them to take us out dancing! I left the studio with sore feet and sore abs from laughing so hard.
Yesterday I met up with a friend from the U.S (kind of..).- Juan Ignacio. Juan Ignacio is Chilean and from Santiago. Our senior year of highschool he lived with my friend Casey and it was so good to see him again! He goes to school only a few blocks from mine, so hopefully I'll be able to see him often. I'm really excited to make Chilean friends while I'm here and I think he'll be a great connection to some new friends.
Tomorrow is a friend's birthday so we're going to go out for the first time! I think we're planning on going to a discoteca (to put our new dancing skills to the test) and I'm sure it will be a new experience.. I'll post about that later this week!
A few closing thoughts on Chile/ Santiago:
Mullets are in style. They are EVERYWHERE! Our personal favorite is the dreaded mullet. I haven't yet been able to snap a picture of this amazing hairstyle but will not rest until I do.
The bus drivers here are absolutely insane. Riding the bus to school in the morning is like a ride at a poorly-run carnival. They brake unexpectedly, change lanes whenever they want, run red lights, and basically just do whatever they want, whenever they want.
There are homeless dogs everywhere you look. They make me really sad :(
There isn't ever any toilet paper in stalls- there's only one big roll by the sinks. Also you don't flush toilet paper, you throw it away.
Chileans like their food sweet!
Being a "gringo" here isn't bad- it's kind of a term of endearment. And we are clearly all gringos. I try hard to blend in but EVERYONE knows that I am not Chilean. People on the streets speak English to me and i'm always like "Hey! What if I was german?!" Haha but everyone is so friendly and happy that we are here.
I love Chile!!
Attached are some pictures of my house:
My room. Notice the bed's made mom!
Our house!
Our backyard!
Ciao y besos,
Hennessy
Your house is beautiful and I am SO GLAD I raised you right and you know to make your bed when staying in someone else's home! Keep the blog coming! xxoo
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Sorry about that smog-yikes!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, your ma did you good teaching you to make that bed every morning:-)
I had a 7th grader who use to write, on average, twenty plus pages on most assignments. When she grew suspicious of my actually reading the tomes she would slip in little one liners to see if I caught them...she's now publishing her poetry and driving her college profs nuts...
I'm really enjoying your trip!!!
Hennessy - I'm so glad my dad shared your blog with me. Sounds like you will have an amazing time. I did a year and a half in France and am glad I did every single day. Have a blast! Your cousin Danielle
ReplyDeleteFriday morning,
ReplyDeleteI have to figure out how to navigate your site better as I just spotted your response back to me.
I'm looking for a gig that keeps me in the arena of working with the poor, HIV/AIDS and other social justice issues. Do you know much about how HIV is treated there? San Pedro Sula, Honduras, is kind of the epicenter of infection and medical services for Central America. Of course there is a lot of church pressure to deny access to protective information and supplies. When we were there I talked to people about forming "Care Team" an idea that began here. Other than looking for a job I've tossed the following together. When they come looking for me I may have to head to your Andes!!! Love-your Unk
http://letkidsbekidsinc.blogspot.com/p/youre-kidding.html
ah sooo awesome!! i keep reading i love it and yay for meeting up with juan pollo! good one have so much fun im happy your doing this :] lve youu
ReplyDelete