crossing the border

WARNING: super long post...mainly because of the tons of pictures. 

The weekend of October 1st I went with some of my friends from CIEE (there were 6 of us including me) to Mendoza, Argentina!  Our venture into the unknown started off in Valparaiso (on Thursday night).  From Valpo we took a bus to Santiago and then from Santiago we took a bus across the border to Mendoza.

On our way to Mendoza we traveled by night and got there around 9am in the morning!  The longest part of the trip was when we had to go through immigration at the border.  It was SOOO COLD as it was night, we were high up in the mountains, and didn't have adequate clothing!  We were standing around in this random dome shaped building/terminal for about two hours!  Waiting for our bags to be checked!  When they finally came around to us, it ended up being a joke of a bag check...immigration always seems like a bit of a joke to me at times.  (Bekah...did you catch that? I just said...'always' and then 'at times'...hahahahaaaa).  Luckily enough, I brought my prized Hope College Sweatshirt Blanket (it deserves all caps) that I won in a wheel chair contest! YES!  So, that kept us warm as us gringas huddled together shivering.  When we got back on the bus, they gave us alfajores (chocolate cookie type deals) and tea/cafe!  Granted, it wasn't the best....but it was still really nice!  Funny story:  When we very first got on the bus in Santiago they came up and started passing out these boxed sandwiches...at first we wouldn't accept them...as we thought they were trying to sell them to us!  We also weren't quite sure what they were.  We've been trained to not accept anything handed to us when on a bus...as on the buses (micros) in Valpo/Viña people are allowed to come on to the bus to sell stuff.  It's really weird actually.  Usually they sell snacks (candies, chips, peanuts, etc), but sometimes they come around passing out pieces of paper or cards and then when the come back to you they expect you to buy it from them or you just hand it back.  (Sometimes they sell sewing kits, flashlight pens, etc!)  The very first time that happened to me, it was a card about sign language.  I actually thought it was pretty cool and could imagine myself whipping it out and memorizing the signs when I get bored...sooooo...I folded it in half and put it in my bag.  Then, the guy came back around and held out is hand for money.  I looked around and everyone else was just handing them back to him.  Darn itttttt...he got the clueless gringa!  So...I ended up paying for it as he wouldn't take it back after I had folded it in half.  Anyways...back to Mendoza...we tried sleeping on the bus and we arrived in Mendoza we went straight to the hostel to check in, drop off our stuff, and eat breakfast.

Nina with the amazing triangle boxed sandwich...which we didn't have to pay for!

We've arrived! In our Hostal room!  It was just us 5 (one of the girls stayed with a friend studying in Mendoza) and we had our own bathroom...with our very own whole-in-the-floor-with-a-shower-curtain shower! hahaha Sorry...I didn't get a picture of it!

One of the very first things I noticed that was different about Argentina was the language...and that I noticed the entire weekend.  Well, not so much the language, but the accent.  Argentinians have beautiful accents as there is a lot of influence from Italy.  So, imagine an Italian speaking Spanish...kinda like that.  To be honest, at first I thought to myself, "Dang, Diane...I should have studied in Argentina...so that I could pick up this beautiful accent!" Then as the weekend went on I heard Argentinians using 'vos' with everything!  They even use 'vos' with strangers!  It's not like the different verb tense they have in Chile where they have another way of saying tú...so instead of "como estas?", Chileans say, "como estai?" or instead of "a donde vas?", they say, "a donde vai?" They love the, "ai" here.  In Argentina...it's a little different but it's along the same lines....but they use it alll the time.  I can get away with not using the "ai" here in Chile...I stick with my proper tú Spanish...but I were in Argentina...I think I'd be stuck using 'vos'.  SO...after all this explaining that was actually really confusing, I'm happy with my decision to study in Chile (even though their Spanish isn't the best).  hahahaaaa!

Later that day (Friday) we went to the hot springs!  It was about an 1 1/2 - 2 hour bus ride, but so worth it...yet again!  The bus ride itself was beautiful!  Gosh...I think I take too many pictures.  I always tell myself, "ok, just put your camera away and enjoy what's going on."  So I put it away and seconds later whip it out again to take another picture!  I just can't resist!

The host springs were soooooooo beautiful!  It was more like a mini water park as there were a lot of families there and even one water slide! 

It was so relaxing and the view was incredible!  Here we are in the middle of mountains...sitting in hot springs!

Look! I'm doing what I do best! hahahaha

The lunch my friend ordered at the restaurant near the hot springs!

When we came back to the city...we went to a cafe and got SUBMARINOS.  It's basically hot chocolate, but they give you the hot milk and you drop in the pieces of chocolate (and they sink to the bottom like submarines). yummmyyy...

Saturday, my friend, Stephanie, and I went to the Zoo!  This zoo in Mendoza is one of the most important and one of the biggest in Latin America.  It was really cool as it is on a mountain, and each exhibit is set up along this trail.  There are no maps except for a few signs set up along the trail.  You follow the trail and then every so often there is a fork in the road guiding you to either follow the "long path" or how to leave.  Stephanie and I did the long/full path and it took us about 2 1/2 hours.  Not bad.  The other girls went on bicycle wine tours for the day.  That would have been cool too....but I would have been more interested in riding the bike than going on all the tours.  In the end, I'm glad I went to the zoo.  Stephanie and I also had time to go to the biggest monument in Argentina which happened to be right next to the zoo (on the other side of the top of the mountain), eat a delicious long lunch (Mendoza is known for its meat), and walk around the downtown area (Stephanie bought a leather jacket...as Mendoza is also known for its cheap but good leather). 

ZOO:

Stephanie, mi amiga, y yo!

One of the very few maps. hhaaha

feeding a random monkey a skittle. (it wasn't my idea!!!!!! *caugh* Stephanie *caugh*)

Small dog?........nope, pooooooop!

the poop belongs to this beautiful animal!

another random animal just wandering around the zoo! preeettttyyy!

Would you look at that! Another random wandering...in its natrual? habitat??? hahaaa

I saw my uncle!!!

and look! another wild creature in it's natural habitat...the zoo? a cat?

The first time we saw this random monkey...outside of its cage...we thought it had escaped! heck, maybe it did!

What a magestic lady.

cacti galore!

Stephanie and Skittles! ...we named it!

No, I was not trying to take a picture of its butt.  I was trying to show that even the sheep have dreads here!  Not only do people love mullets here...they also love dreads!  EVEN dreaded mullets! It's a sight to be seen.

Yes, I was trying to take a picture of its butt!  PINK BUTT!

sleepies!

taking a siesta with the bears!

ya toyerd mr. lion?

this zoo was FULL of animals catching up on their zzzzzzzzzzzz.

The zoo was beautiful!  Tons of wonderful scenery along the trail!

jajajajjajajajaajaa!

greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen

I made her walk up the hill to the monument...she wasn't happy.  She did it because she loves me.

Then she got tired and plopped on down.  She was still nice enough to let me run up then rest of the way and see the monument.

ARGENTINA

Here it is! Victory!

Later that night we met up with the other girlies and got ice cream! (I was quite excited...for my BANANA and dulce de leche ice cream!)

On Sunday we woke up early, had breakfast at the hostel, walked to some of the plazas, and then hit the road.  My host parents told me that we should do one of the trips during the day as crossing the mountain range is gorgeous.  I'm so glad that they told me that...and that we made it happen, because it really was incredible!  Lucky for you all I ran out of space on my memory cards so couldn't take as many pictures as I wanted to. hehhee

In plaza San Martin.

There was an exhibit of history and a book fair in the plaza...but it was too early that nothing was open. (Mendoza is also know for their cheap books!)

This is in Plaza Independencia...ya know, no big deal, just a protest about education.

WONDER!

We were right in the middle of the mountains...snow and all!

Immigration on the way back.  This time it only took 30 minutes! Thank goodness!

All in all, it was a great weekend and we all had lots of fun, but it was nice being back 'home' in Chile with my host family.  I'm a home-body...usually the best part of a trip is coming back home.  I think another thing I like about being 'home' is not having to spend money wherever I go...hehe.  Heck, I won't even spend the 400 pesos (80 cents) to go to class in Sausalito. hahaaa

ALSO: good news!  I'm getting a bike!  I mentioned to my host parents that I was looking into buying one and then later they told me that my host sister had a bike that she doesn't use and that I can borrow for my time here!  SO exciting!  I realllllllly miss riding my bike!  It'll also be another mode of transportation (and exercise) for me.  YAY!  I think I'll finally be getting it this weekend!

God is good.
I love you ALL!!!! MUUAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a bear hug to all!!!

el concierto en el jardin botanico, la llegada de la guagua, y el principio del viaje a Mendoza

Hola my lovers!  I miss you alllllll dearly!  But here goes some rambling...I hope you enjoy it! :P Warning: long post. You may take breaks to use the bathroom if you like. hehe

First things first: School.  I mean...that is why I'm here, right? To 'study' abroad? eh? hehehe.  College is a lot different here.  Granted I'm only taking three academic classes (Psychology of the Adolescent, General Literature, and Latin American Stories)...still. (My other classes are a gym class where we play Mapuche games, a Mountain Sports class where we take field trips, and a dance class where we learn traditional dances).  Instead of being assigned to do readings and assignments for each class, we have to do more group projects and, readings on our own, and studying.  Sometimes it's hard though, because instead of having to have "30 pages read for next class" we have to have "three entire readings/packets plus a book read by next test."  Which isn't incredibly bad, as I can get it done, but when it's in Spanish it take a whole lot longer.  The classes that I do have homework/tests/projects in...I feel like my work needs to be top notch.  Especially for my General Literature class.  In that class I am the only gringa and find myself feeling like I need to prove something.  I feel like I need to prove my ability to do well in a Chilean class--I need to show the professor and the class that I'm not just studying abroad for vacation, but that I actually want to learn something!  I've been getting a lot of help from my genius brother William for that class...he's basically my tutor! hehehe!  I've already had two tests in that class and just finished a presentation due next week (which I thought was due yesterday! ahhh! but classes were canceled!).  I have my first Psychology test next Wednesday and I'm planning to study with some of my Chilean friends from that class.  It shouldn't be too bad as most of the information I have already studied when taking my Developmental Psych class last semester.

Volunteer jobs: They're hardly 'jobs'!  More like....Volunteer fun!  I'm absolutely looooving my job at the girls' home.  I now go there every Monday and Friday afternoons and am planning events (probably once a month).  Our first event is October 16th!  We're going to have a Girl Day!  We'll paint nails, do hair, do make-up, make bracelets and necklaces, eat snackies, etc.  Last Friday, I was helping Yamilet (6 years old) with her homework.  She's soooo cute, but can be a bit difficult to deal with at times.  As I sit next to her she holds my hand and presses her cheek against mine.  She then looks up at me and asks me, "Can you come just to see me, and only me?"  I look at her cute little face and say, "Siiiii!"  Then she looks back at me and ask me again, "...and only me? Some days..." (as in more than just once).  And I say, "Yes, of course!"  Then we get back to doing her homework.  On Monday...I was helping Airline with her homework (more like goofing off...haha) and then I went to go help Yamilet with something on the computer.  I put her on my lap and she says, "Stay with me..."  I give her a little kiss and return to Airline and her homework.  Awwwwww she melts my heart!!!


I also started another volunteer job at a primary school (which is elementary and middle school).  It's also an 'integration' school.  Where they integrate special needs kids into regular classrooms.  I'm working with those wonderful kids (ages 17-22) every Monday and Friday mornings.  They are a great group of kids (about ten), some have Down's Syndrome, Asperger's, and others have learning disabilities.  I help them with whatever activities they are working on, talk with them, get to know them, and basically be friends with them (my favorite). :)  On Fridays, I'll also be able to join them when they have their "Development Session" with the school psychologist!  So exciting! 

Other things I've been up to:

I went to a concert in the Botanical Garden last Sunday with my host dad and my friend from CIEE, Melissa.  I'm convinced Chile is stuck in time...many times at that...there's still a lot of Hippie influence here and this concert definitely was a testament to that.  ALSO...Chile is stuck in the 80's...fashion wise.  Everywhere I look I can find many with bleach washed skinny jeans, mullets galore!, rat tails (nasty!), etc.  It doesn't seem that weird when I type it out...but it is!  I'm not saying that everyone is like this either or that it's a 'bad' thing...it's just an observation.  Back to the Botanical Garden--it was beautiful!  Such a contrast from the city and only about 20 minutes away in bus!  It was so calm, smelled so good, everything so green, etc!  Here are some pics:

beautifuuuuul! springtime here it comes...for real!

MA' O MENO'!  That's the name we gave this dog (it should be 'mas o menos'...but we do it Chilean style...means: more or less.)  It was THE spectacle of the concert for me.  It ran around the crowd, which was sitting in the grass, wearing a red necklace!  It crraaaaacked me up! Ma' o meno', you will not be forgotten.

It was actually pretty cool music...one song was about 'puta esperanza' ("#$%! hope).  (Sorry Bekah, here I go swearing again in my blog! oops!)

Melissa y yo!

My host dad and Melissa...look at that GREEN!

Smelling the beautiful scents!  Soak it up, Melissa!

NEXT:  Last Thursday, my new baby nephew was born!  Esteban!!!!!  He's the cutest littlest thing I've ever seeeeen!  My host dad and I went to see Sonita (host sister) in the afternoon.  We got to the clinic and minutes later they brought in Esteban for Sonita to hold him for the very first time!  SOO CUTE!  What a little miracle he is!  My host dad also told me that he should take me to a public hospital some day so that I can compare what it's like between a private clinic (where we were) and then the public system.  From what I know, the whole health system here is complicated, because all the good health care you can get is private...the public system is really bad.  I think this also goes along side with education.  Basically, there is a big gap between private and public here...the rich and the poor.  As a whole, the middle class is very small here in Chile.  Now...onto the the baby pics:

Mommy holding baby for the first time!  Look at Grandpa's excitement!

I got to hold the little one for quite some time!  Sonita's arm was swollen from the IV so Julio and I took off turns holding Esteban!  I got to held this only-hours-old guagua (baby)!

Big sister hold baby brother for the first time!

The kiddies and Osy came after they got out of school!

He opened his eyes!!!!

What a cuuuuutie patooootie!  (If you look closely...he has long nails! hahaha)

The other family that came to see the lil guy!

What a little bundle!  This is after his first meal! heheh!

From the clinic that day, I went home, ate dinner, and then off to the bus terminal and on my way to MENDOZA, ARGENTINA (next blog post...WAY too many pictures to add to this post!)  Crossing the border!

This is us in the bus waiting to leave Santiago!  Look at these seats!  We're on the top of a double decker bus RIGHT in front with the best view evaaaaa!  At some points in the trip it felt like we were on one of those virtual rollar coaster rides! haha!

Saving the best topic for last--God.  He's sooooooo good.  I go to bed and wake up thanking thanking thanking Him for allll he's done for me!  Here I am...in Chile...speaking Spanish...part of a wonderful host family...learning so much...experiencing so many new things...and it's all for Him.  There's no need to worry about a thing, because the 'big guy' is right by my side!  I appreciate all your prayers SO MUCH and would appreciate if you keep praying for me.  I also love the church I go to here with my host parents, but it has been a little difficult trying to get involved there, but just this week I found a friend who happens to go to the same church!  She then told me about a Bible study she's in and said that I can get together with some of the friends she knows from church!  An ANSWER to a prayer right before my eyes!  Thank the Lord.  Ya, know...even when you don't think He hears us...He always does....even for the little things.  It's all about being patient (which I've been learning how to be a lot these days).  God is good, all the time.

Sending my love---from me---in Chile---to you---wherever you may be. MUAH!

Diane