Yesterday began my first day of classes, but our program only begins with a mandatory Spanish language class at Universidad La Catholica. It meets everyday for four hours for the next three weeks, but it definitely seems necessary to start off with. My regular schedule of classes at the university of La Chile doesn't begin until late July, but we can begin to sign up for classes a bit sooner than that. I have all the details in a mini-bible for all students, but it's a bit far away to go into extreme detail for now.
I luckily got one of my buddies to pick me up a Muse ticket yesterday for July 26th downtown at Teatro Caupolican which should be a blast. It is their first time to Santiago and the concert will take place on the last weekend of our 2 week vacation following the end of the intensive language classes. There looks like there are a lot of people in EAP that are going to get tickets, so I can't even wait to see the scene. I have been searching and picking up various flyers for other events that are a bit more culturally appealing. In September and October the Chilean national team is playing in two world cup qualifier games against BRAZIL and ARGENTINA, so I am most certainly going to attend one if not both of those games. The national stadium is 3 blocks down the street from my hours. Only the top four teams can qualify with the 5 place team forced to play a playoff with the North, Central America, Caribbean group. Current standings go 1. Paraguay 2. Argentina 3. Colombia 4. Chile 5. Brazil.
After first day of class yesterday, a group of 11 went down to Plaza Nunoa (same place with Le Petit Bar), where we chatted over drinks and french fries, and then made our way over to a very nice Italian restaurant called La Taverna. It was a very nice evening. Few of us continued back to Le Petit bar following, where the discussions continued. It's very nice that a lot of people here seem to be thinking with the same mindset about life and just life in general. I guess it takes a certain type of person to come abroad and we're all similar in that sense. We also met up with a local Chilean who is neighbors of one of EAP students. He spent time in Vail and Aspen so his English was very good, but we switched between languages frequently discussing cultural differences and such. He is having a going away party tomorrow night since he plans to study in Australia for six months. Very interesting guy. The night ended with a random guitar player coming into the bar and playing a series of Beatles tracks that our group all sang too. Too cool.
My camera battery has died since I forgot to bring the power cord. All I have is the transfer usb so I could be out of pictures for a while. Hopefully I can find some cure to this situation at an exclusive electronics shop downtown that has a lot of stuff, but that trip will have to wait until later in the week. I have been able to find the items online, but shipping costs are a joke and I can hold out.
fingers crossed, cause in addition to camera cord need a rare dual usb to mini usb cord for my music hard drive, but once again that can wait. I am enjoying the simple life down here, especially as I scan through the constantly released headlines of news in the states. I am so glad I chose Chile to study considering it appears to provide the best, affordable life-style in Latin America right now. I have some homework to take care of for class at two today as well as a quiz on the subjunctive tense, so I will cut this discussion short. However, I have plenty of time to build upon it. Hasta Manana.
