First Days

The second day after arriving to Santiago was filled with sleeping...in-and-out for hours. I did manage to go on a walk near the hotel and visited a nearby Mall and park. Found a monument in memory of an important general who died during the Allende craziness. My hotel was a ways from downtown and never gained the energy to take a cab ride over there.

I checked out of my room this morning and took a car to the college campus (campus oriente) where I met-up with a bunch of the fellow exchange students from various UC's before being introduced to my temp-mother. After meeting Lucretia (Lucky, pronounced luke), we grabbed my bags and went to the nearby apartment in
Ñu
Ñoa (city within Santiago). There I met my temp-father (Ivan), got settled in my room, and began talking away. They both do not speak much English, so it will be good practice from here on out.

My room is awesome (internet, view of the mountain range, cute and simple), pretty much everything I could ask for.

After an excellent lunch of salad and traditional Chilean soup, and watching the Euro cup match between Germany and Turkey, Ivan took me to nearby downtown to explain the bus system, how to get around, important locations, how to get to school, etc. I am excited that I will finally get to use public transport and walk to school. The evening ended with hot chocolate, salami, and bread..woohoo! I have to go back to campus tomorrow morning at 9:45 for orientation and to meet the professors of Universidad Catholica.

Here is a great video of these silly people who ride the bus for free just to play music, strange...reminded me a lot of santa cruz