en casa!

Hello friends and family!

Here I am, sitting in my room, in my apartment, with my Chilean family in the other room. :) I live with an older cute couple.  They are more like younger grandparents. :)  They welcomed me with open arms and huge smiles.  I was so excited to meet them just as they were excited to meet me.  Being in Mexico for two months has realllllly prepared me for living with a host family here...especially with the whole Spanish 24/7 thing.  Chilean Spanish is easier than I thought it would be, but I'm still learning a ton, and there are also still many times where I just nod and smile...nod and smile. hehe

It's cold here and there's no central heating...so that means no heat inside buildings.  It's not horrible though.  Right now it's about 62 degrees Fahrenheit in my room about now...if my travel alarm clock is correct, which it might not be.  Last night I was very warm in my bed, under 6 blankets...and boy were they heavy. There was one point during the night that I was too hot!  I turned back the covers, felt the very cold air, and pulled them right back over me.  Much rather be toasty than freezing.  I don't think warm showers have ever felt so good either.

Here are some pictures that I've taken so far....

view from the plane with the Andes to the left

another view of the Andes

 

 

 

 

 

Driving through Valparaiso (picture taken from the bus)

Vina del Mar (not the best picture, but it's all I have so far)

Part of my Chilean family.  The two cuties on the right are my host parents...it's just us three in the house. :)

there was sun today! I even got a little warm walking around! It's interesting how there are palm trees...but it's cold!

Cool Chilean flower! and no one knows what it's called!

a budding magnolia tree! horaaaaay!

Meet my friend, Melissa, she's another student from CIEE!

I love you all!  Thank you for your prayers....I feel them so close! :D

With tons of love,


La Diana