So a better recap

If I don't write about Santiago I will forget later.

We spent most of time in Santiago doing one of two things: Recorridos or eating.

We toured most of the major sights of Santiago: Cerro San Cristobal, local and indigenous artisans,Pueblo de Los Dominicos,Cerro Santa Lucia, Pablo Neruda's La Chascona, Plaza de Armas, Palacio Presidencial La Moneda, Cousino Marcul vineyard, etc. and I have pretty pictures that I will post that shows all of the sights. I liked them all and was glad we got to go it is exhausting to travel around a city with 60 other people in a culture you are in the midst of trying to adjust to.

When we weren't navigating the logistics of moving 60 obviously American travelers around a city, we were eating. Massive crazy amounts of food which required us to practically shut down restaurants to feed us.

But some highlights and things I found interesting:

The first place we went to have lunch on the first day was right next to our hotel. We walked in and the waiter spoke to us in English and had the flat screen t.v. already on MTV. It is assumed if you are a young American you must love and watch the channel all the time. It is a sad state of affairs and bad PR for the US if the rest of the world thinks twenty somethings regularly watch shows like Next.

PDA: It is everywhere. Public populated parks, bus stops, etc. And not a peck or short beso, but heavy making out. On our first day we went to Cerro Santa Lucia the hill where Santiago was founded. The location was a lookout and point of defense, but now it is mostly frequented by tourists and couples. When we were there on a Thursday afternoon it was the 40 in our group and couples. Everyone was in twos and most were couples infatuated and if not kissing, super close and lost in each other's eyes. They were completely oblivious to everything else around them. I know Chilean and South or Latin American culture is much more physical and expressive, but it is still a shock to see two people doing what we usually save for behind close doors. Here though, so many kids continue to live with their parents until they get married or move away for some reason. Most of our ISA host families have kids in their mid or late twenties still at home. I guess it is better to have anonymous people see you with your pololo (boyfriend) than your parents.

Dogs: Like PDA, everywhere. They act like they own the streets. I have yet to learn if they dogs belong to anyone, but the vast majority of them are extremely well fed looking and expensive (in the US) breeds. It is normal to see them taking a nap in the middle of the sidewalk or waiting at crosswalk until people begin crossing.

Mullets: No lie. Chileans have them, most are subtle but some aren't. Some of the hip Chileans look like they stepped out of a 80s band.

Pokemon: I am still learning what this is, but the way it was explained to me is that some teenage Chileans are really into Anime and imitate the characters in the fashion and hairstyling choices. I'll learn more, but it is weird to see Chileans with ridiculous hairstyles like an anime character.

Buckingham Palace you are not alone: La Moneda is the presidential palace (even though she, yes SHE doesn't live there) and office and has two guards stationed at the front door. They are the South American version of the no smiling, no moving, Buckingham guards.

Catholic Cathedrals: put the US versions to shame. They are more ornate and intricate than any i have ever seen in the US. Plus most of them have been blown up or partially destroyed in wars and battles and they just get rebuilt again.

More (with pictures) soon! I love and miss you all, I hope you got my mass text before I left the states, and keep emailing/skyping me, there is nothing I love more than hearing from you!

Finally....

Finally I have more than 15 minutes free.

First, the flight to almost the end of the world can be painfully long, especially when you almost leave bags in Atlanta, are delayed 2 hours, and start losing altitude at 4 AM. But eventually we arrived in Santiago.

And since then it has been non-stop which is why none of you have heard from me. So quick recap of what I did-massive group time getting to know the 60 other people in the ISA fall programs, and hours of orientation, and then passing out off exhaustion and doing it all again the next day. I left the U.S. on Wednesday morning and right now, Monday night, is the first real break I´ve had. Also we were in the capital city, Santiago until Sunday night in a hotel, so we´ve only been in Valpo for 30 some hours.

So first thoughts? I´m so glad to finally be in Valpo.

And more coming ASAP.