¡Bienvenidos a Santiago, Chile!

I am FINALLY in Chile! After two months of hanging around in DC and Syracuse while everyone else had class, most people may be surpirsed to learn that I really went abroad! Tricked you all.
My journey began by flying in historic four foot wide Wright brothers creation whose propellers had to be started by hand to Toronto to catch the 10+ hour flight to Santiago. How I booked a seat on a plane clearly used for smuggling across the Canadian border, I will never know. At least it was a memorable beginning.

After dealing with customs (as usual, I was singled out for extra special questioning, just for fun) I arrived outside and realized I didn't know who I was looking for. Luckily, two signs welcoming "American University" led me to meet Paola, the program coordinator from Universidad Diego Portales, my new school for the semester. My host mom, Maria Teresa, and host dad, Juan Pablo, found me from there. Just in case standing next to an American University sign didn't scream GRINGA, I was the only redhead in the whole airport and they had an easy time finding me.

They are fantastic- my AEPhi sisters Eleni and Blaire have stayed with the Donoso family last Spring and Fall and absolutely loved their experience so I knew that this family was awesome. But seriously, they are so great! Maria Teresa is unbelievably welcoming, Juan Pablo has been helping me with my Spanish, and their 26 year old daughter Stefi is so fun and cool. Their house already feels like home, and so does my room. I have a relaxing view of the front lawn and gate- South and Central American houses have an affinity for stone walls and fences wich creates a courtyard feel. Windows don't have screens, only iron grilles that allow the breeze to cool everything down. It's lovely.

view from my bedroom window

So far I haven't done much in the city, mostly relaxed, met more of the Donoso clan, and tried to translate "Carnation instant breakfast shakes" into spanish. Incidentally, it's much harder than it seems- Maria Teresa is under the impression I want one of those massive protein whey canisters. She wonders why I am trying to bulk up... am currently finding pictures online of Carnation to difuse this miscommunication. However, we went grocery shopping today to Jumbo (whose mascot is definitely Dumbo the elephant from Disney) and I was surpirsed to find that there weren't many familiar brands of, well, anything. But it's all good- I'm willing to try everything and the fresh fruit here makes up for anything I can't find!

I guess I didn't mention it, but my family and I speak entirely in Spanish- its definitely challenging but that makes it even more gratifying when everyone understands what I'm saying. I've discovered that I'm really great at speaking Spanish for the first five minutes, just long enough to trick the person I'm speaking with into thinking I know a lot, after which the conversation consequentially hits a wall and the illusion I've created disapates. Sigh. Goal number one: make the grand illusion last 6 minutes.

Monday begins orientation and next week we are going to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso (aka THE BEACH) so I am pretty excited. After all, I just love being the palest and showing it off! Haha I'm also glad I don't have to go to class yet, I'm on vacation until March 12! That's right, you AU kids will be on spring break and I'll be embarking on my hour-long commute to the first day of class. I'm straight chilein right now.

King on my bed, view from outside

Shoutout to Esther for coming up with this perfect blog title, and to Blaire, Kelly, and Eleni for their advice, help, and answering my many questions about plug adapters. Turns out Chile uses European plugs- I hate you, AAA Travel and Insurance. But I love you already, Santiago.