Friends, Family, Adventure

I am so, so, so very sorry for how long it has taken me to write again in my blog. On top of classes, meeting people, traveling, family matters, and let's be honest, being lazy, I haven't taken the time to really write anything. A part of me wanted to stop writing because the person I designed this blog for passed away, but I feel that he would really enjoy that I share all my adventures with friends and family. This is a once in a lifetime experience filled with many memories that should be shared. Life is too short and thus it is important to not create distant memories that can easily be forgotten when all I need to do is take the time to write them down. Likewise, in my opinion, sharing my memories and experiences with others gives them more meaning because it is like my memories can live and thrive through other people. For that reason, I have returned to the blog scene and am ready to share condensed, but jam packed memories in one post.

Where to begin? So much has happened here in Chile!! I guess I will just explain the two major trips I have taken thus far, beginning with my trip up north to La Serena and Valle de Elqui. This area of Chile is very unique in comparison to Santiago and has a great character of its own. In La Serena, there is the beach, beautiful buildings, a desert that stretches for miles on end, and mountains that surround you like the imposing structures they are. 

From La Serena, we took a one hour bus ride to Valle de Elqui, where we biked through many vineyards, through the lightly colored and sandy mountains, and ending at a river within the green trees of the valley. The Valle was my favorite part of this trip, because I have never seen anything like it. The sandy and desert like mountains concealed an oasis within, filled with grape vines, trees, a river, and a very blue sky. To top off our vacation here, we biked to a Piqueria, where my favorite alcoholic drink is made, called Pisco :). Pisco is a Chilean alcohol that is not exported to the U.S. (only to Canada and other South American states...how sad). Around 10 in the evening, the same day we went biking through the valley, we rode the bus to the top of a mountain and star gazed with an astronomist. It was cool to see such a clear sky full of so many stars!! I honestly cannot describe it. It was breathtaking and surreal to see how big the universe really is. 

Valle de Elqui

Of course I could find some Borges on the street

Now on to my trip to the beautiful city of Buenos Aires this past weekend. I literally do not know where to even begin with this trip because it was amazing and I miss every part of that city. The city itself had both a European and New York City vibe to it. My favorite part was the fact that everyone was so friendly and no matter how horrible my spanish was, they would try to understand or correct me when I spoke to them. It really helped build my confidence and for once I actually felt like "hey, I can do this!!". I just cannot get over my experience there because I met so many people in my hostel that come from all around the world and I saw very important historical landmarks. Don't get me wrong, Santiago is great and really has stolen my heart, but it was refreshing to go somewhere new for a vacation and have people speak spanish that is closer to what I learned in class (in Chile, the Chileans kind of just mumble and talk very very fast in which I feel inadequate in my speaking and comprehension abilities). 

Plaza de Mayo

La Casa Rosada

Band on the street

Night out with friends

San Telmo Market

Oh, did I forget to mention that I met the pope?

Our lovely room for three nights in the hostel "America del Sur"

My favorite part of the trip occurred during our second night in the city. My friends Natalie, Maria and I were sitting in our hostel lobby when a group of Argentinians invited us to eat their "asado", a.k.a their barbeque. Me, being deprived of meat since I live with a vegetarian family here in Santiago, jumped on the chance to eat a traditional Argentinian meal that mainly consisted of steak and sausage. Yum. During the whole night, I talked seven hours of straight Spanish and was very proud of myself. Another perk of the night was that the group of people that invited us to eat also played their guitars and sang throughout the evening. I have never had a night like that, where everyone was so relaxed, savoring the food, and literally enjoying life. After all that has gone on this past month, it was really refreshing to sit back and see all the positive aspects of life and the joys that it can bring. 

Natalie learning how to play the guitar

Hanging out with our friends

A LOT of meat

During my last night in Buenos Aires, we went to a drum concert called "La Bomba". It is a concert that only occurs on Monday nights and it was extremely fun. The lights, the traditional drumming, and the lively atmosphere finished my night well. In addition to my trip's end in Buenos Aires, I got into an in-depth conversation with my cab driver to the airport about soccer-in spanish!! It was great because I felt like for once someone could understand what I was saying to them as I spoke in Spanish and we talked about a topic that I love. It was a nice way to top off the trip, even if it was at 4 AM in the morning, I stayed up the whole night and, rightly so, was very exhausted. 

La Bomba

I hope I made up somewhat for my lack of posts this past month. I really want to share these experiences and I will try to keep my blog updated in the future.

Until next time!!