shoes, colectivos, classes, TP, supermercado, stoplights, cachai?

Hello everyone!

Soooo...in this post I'm going to tell you about some of the interesting things I've found/experienced here in Chile so far.  [Thanks, Bekah, for the "go-ahead" on this one!]

First off: shoes.  It's so hard to find shoes my size here!  Silly me didn't bring enough shoes thinking that I could buy them here.  Yeah...I should have looked to Mexico for that answer.  Just like in Mexico...they don't have big feet here, therefore...rarely carry big shoe sizes.  It's winter here, so I went shopping for boots--nicer, "city" boots.  They're not that expensive here either, so I thought it would be a good thing to buy.  Yeah, no.  I'm size 40 here...soooo...that's rare!  I decided to vote no to the boots and look for Converse instead.  Those I know they'll be comfortable and fit...except they're expensive here!  dang!  I ended up buying the Converse as my feet were dying with blisters and they were getting desperate.  Now, I own a pair of black Converse that I wear everyday on my now, happy feet.

This is the only picture that show's my shoes....plus it's a funny picture!  This was taken in Santiago at an altar.  I'm supposed to be "giving away" Nina to her new husband, Beatrice. 

Ooops! I found another picture of my new shoes!  Bekah, I'm leaving the other picture on my blog with it's comment so you can have a little giggle.

Colectivos:  They're all black cars and have little light up signs on the tops of them with where their route goes.  It's kind of hard to see in this picture, because the pole is in the way...but it's the only picture of a colectivo that I have.  (Also...the red and white bus is a micro...for your information.)

This is across the street from my apartment!

Here's a funny story.  Colectivos are taxis that run a specific route and you pay a set rate.  I got in a colectivo one day to go to class and slammed the car door...too hard.  Oops!  The doors on the colectivos are soooo easy to slam compared to the very easily jarred doors in America.  The driver gave me a lecture about closing the door nicely and I apologized and tried to tell him that I didn't know and that I didn't mean it.  Theeeen....a few days later I get in another colectivo and slam the door again!  Double oops!  I cringe, apologize, and wait for the driver to turn around and lecture me again.  Well...without further a due, the driver turns around and it's the SAME guy!  He recognizes me and gives it to me straight AGAIN.  This time almost the whole ride.  So, I've learned my lesson, twice. 

Classes: My first week of classes was, well, absent.  The students absent.  The professors absent.  My first class of the week, NONE of the Chilean students showed up to class!  The professor was just as confused as me and the other gringa were.  She did her little presentation and we got out super early, since we couldn't do everything she had planned.  She also told us to come an 1hr 45min late to the next class, as she will have to explain the same stuff again to the Chileans.

TP: The toilet paper is just one big roll outside of the stall.  In other words, they don't have TP in each stall.  That is, IF they even have TP AT ALL.  Most restaurants/bar/etc. don't have TP in the bathroom...therefore, you carry your own!  OR if you're brave enough, you can ask a worker for napkins/TP. hehehe 

My friend, Nina...showing us how it's down in style.

Supermercado: Supermarket.  I went with my host mom, Sonia, after church on Sunday.  It was pretty much the same, except...since we don't have a car...and we had TONS of heavy bags....the bag boy followed us to our house! hahah! instead of just helping us to the parking lot (which they don't have, cuz it's a city)...he pushed the cart full of our groceries about three blocks to our apartment complex.  Interesting...

Stoplights: Better yet, the cross walk lights.  Here's a pic to explain:

Note: "Tiempo espera verde peatonal" basically means, "Time to wait until the pedestrian can cross."  Did you catch that?  Instead of having time left in order for you to finish crossing...they have the time that you need to wait until you can start crossing.  It's backwards!  Can someone please explain to me how this is helpful?!  Because I can't figure it out!  Also, most lights don't even have the time...just like in the States.  Another difference is that instead of the "red stop light" flashing to warn you...the "green go light" flashes.  Backwards, yet again!  When you should stop and wait...it's like the green little walking guy is encouraging you to go across the street anyway....instead of like in the states where there's a flashing red hand telling you to beware.
 
Cachai?: This is just one of the many Chilenismos used here...and it cracks me up!  It's so fun to say!  It's like saying, "ya know?"

Shout out to mi Hanna.....I've found our Squidward while running on the beach one morning!  What a peaceful place to find our guy!

sand art! Kalamardo!

Running along the "boardwalk"...yes...I took my camera when I went running. hehehe

The beach...I wish it was warm!

I love you allllllllll SO MUCH!!!!!!  Know that I'm well, ok? :)

Diane