Weekend

Thursday: We were invited by our Chilean friend Exe (exequiel) to go to his friend's house for the night, we had no idea where it was, who would be there, all we knew was to bring our camping gear and meet at the metro at 5:30. Sounds safe, right? Well it was incredibly beautiful! We were in an area of Santiago called Pirque, which I would liken to our hill country (close to the city, yet another universe away). William said he was going to bring down some texas longhorns and create a texas embassy out in the chilean country side. The place is greeeeen, surrounded by mountains, vinyards, some animals, perfect climate. Our host's house was a really nice ranch-style house, with a beautiful garden, tons of dogs, a pool, soccer field, and plenty of good music. We all had an amazing time, the Chileans were so hospitable and so nice to invite a bunch of gringos over who they had never met, they are all eager to hang out with us again. So we had a beautiful adventure into the country and got to swim and lounge at the pool the next day.

SATURDAY:
My Padrino Jerrimiah and I woke up early to go on a tour of the mountains. We started off at In Situ vinyard which was beautiful, nestled in the hills and near a river. They had some organic varieties as well, but 98% of their product was meant for export which seems to be the norm for everything here ranging from fruits to wine, then the Chileans are left with lesser quality... but still wow- the fruit here... I can't get enough!!! And you can get so many beautiful avoados for 1$. My go-to vegan meal has been sandwich with avocado, tomato, lettuce, garlic, roasted red peppers (when camping). Anyway. After the vinyard, we went to a family owned business that started in 1890, and it was these men who brew their own strong liquor drink called chicha which is like a boiled wine, then they also make aguardiente (50% alcohol) which Jerry took a shot of and maybe regretted later.. But the owner was so sweet and the business had been in his family for so long, but he said that his sons now have no interest in continuing it on.. After the chica brewery we headed into the Andes. The hills are amazing, during this time they are covered in bushes and flowers, kind of an arid climate it seems. But wow I would love to see them covered in snow. We went up to Farellones, Chile's first ski resort, and had lunch perched in the mountains watching little kids riding dirt bikes below us. It was still surprisingly hot at 9,000 feet.
Saturday night we all went out and did Karaoke until 5 am- we represented it Gringo style and sang- backstreet boys, michael jackson, queen, shaggy.. trust me everyone in the bar loved us... But I told the group that our goal by the end of 4 months should be to sing karaoke primarily in spanish (just like in Costa Rica where we horrified the locals every night butchering their beloved spanish music. But I can do a great rendition of Selena- Como la Flor). That's another fun thing about Santiago- the bars don't close until 5, so we have plenty of time to enjoy the night. And then sleep all the next day..

SUNDAY- we went to California Cantina (where we also watched the Texas/Bama game), which was actually started by 2 guys who went on this same study abroad program 10 years ago. But the place has great food- burgers, tex mex burritos, tacos, nachos, and cheap beer. It's almost as if you are stepping on American soil, but then you notice the guy in front of you has a huge rat tail in his hair. But we watched the Colts/Jets game and then the Patriots/Vikings game, very exciting. We're going to that same bar for the superbowl, the owners said they expect 1,000 people to be there watching it. But it's a good place to meet young expats and hear how they came to live and work in Santiago, everyone is basically following their heart!

MONDAY- Both of my classes were cancelled, so Jenna and I met up this morning in Bellavista (coooool hippy neighborhood where Pablo Neruda lived), and spent the day walking all around the city, shopping, taking pictures, etc. It was a wonderful way to spend a Monday, and it was the first time I had really walked that much in the city because I usually take the metro everywhere. But now I see that walking is much less crowded and it smells better. So maybe I will start walking home in the evenings. Also, today at the market I found a hat that had the outline of the state of Texas and inside of it was the Chilean flag (which you know looks so similar to Texas's flag) So I said that could be the logo if we ever start a restaurant or whatever down here...

it's all good!