Last night CIEE took us all out to dinner to a tapas restaurant. We had a delicious meal, pisco sours, and red wine. It was a great way to get to know everyone and practice our Spanish. After dinner (around 10:30 pm) we came back to the hotel and finally got some sleep.
Today we had another day of training and I am really starting to feel comfortable in the city. We talked more about security, transportation, and our families. We went to lunch at a really cute vegetarian restaurant then had more time to walk around the city. A small labor protest outside a large office building caused some excitement but i hope to see more.
The most exciting part of the day was finding out our host families. I am smack dab in the middle of the city. I am really excited to meet them and see where i am living, which could be an apartment A friend of mine in the program is only about 5 blocks away. Most of the other students live in the nearby "comuna" or neighborhood called Nunoa.
My address in Santiago is:
Adriana Undurraga 207
Santiago, Chile.
Tonight we have the whole evening to do whatever we want. A group of us are going to dinner at 8, then more exploring the city. Many of them want to go to the local "carretes" or clubs and I'll probably tag along.
Today while we were walking around, I told everyone how much i love this city. A friend of mine reminded me that "euphoria" is the first stage of culture shock. Apparently once this wears off, irritability or resentment kick in. I told my friend to let me keep feeling euphoric and I'll handle the irritability when i need to. So far, So go. I'm having a wonderful time and I can't wait to get out there and experience Santiago on my own.
If you want, check out the link below, which is a map and satellite image of my home. Explore the map, it looks pretty cool! http://www.mapcity.cl/Ploteo.asp?ciudad=santiago&IdArco=174468&TipoVia1=CALLE&NombreVia1=ADRIANA%20UNDURRAGA&Altura1=207&Comuna1=SANTIAGO&Str_Direccion=CALLE%20ADRIANA%20UNDURRAGA%20207&Punto_X=345883&Punto_Y=6297664&Este_Min=345633&Este_Max=346133&Norte_Min=6297414&Norte_Max=6297914&moverse=ZOOM5000&Encabezado=SI&Producto=DIRECCION&IdServicio=&GenRuta=&STransito=&TxtPer1=&TxtPer2=&opcbuscar=dire&icorigen=../images/botones/ico_estrella_ch.gif&icdestino=&icmapa=../images/botones/int-bt_color.gif&colormapa=color1&icono1=estrella&icono2=&Inicio=SI&xp=345893&yp=6297666&Escala=5000&CodigoPostal=8330439&dir_original=@ADRIANA%20UNDURRAGA@@207@
7 comments:
Well, there you are! This is very cool and I am looking down at you right now with my friends in the satellite business. You are right in the thick of it kid. When I come for a visit all I have to do to get the country club is turn left and go up to Andres Bello Norte, which turns into Bicentenario, hang a right on Americo Vespucio Norte to Golf. Please call for a tee time around 7:45 Wednesday and let me know. That's some big city, Girl. Love, Poppa
Kayla, I am so excited that you have an address and you will get to meet your host family/person! The map is amazing. Keep the euphoria up girl, tell that person to keep their downer opinions to themselves! HA. Love Mom
The euphoria is the best part and I am glad to hear you are having it. Do you think it had something to do with the red wine? I tired to give you some in Bali, but you said no! ;-)
Kayla I´m glad to hear Santiago is rocking. Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le, Viva Chile! (It´s a national cheer)
As your mom said, "Keep the euphoria up, girl!" You only pass this way once, and we hope you will cherish every minute - even if you don't understand 100% of what people are saying! Did you get Poppa a tee time? You probably thought he was kidding, right? He doesn't kid about tee times. We love your blog - thank you for thinking about all of us back in the US!
Love you much, Mommer
Kayla, you are such a great ambassador for the USA, we are all blessed to have you representing us to them and sharing their worldviews with us. I'll be praying for you this coming Sunday from the Dom (Cathedral) in Frankfurt, Germany. Pax Christi, Josef
It looks beautiful in Chile! I'm sure your euphoria will last because of your positive outlook. ENJOY!!!!! I can't wait to read your next post to get an update. I love you! Aunt Tracy
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