Hola hola!
Wow, what a few days! I left the U.S. late on the evening of the 22nd, and quickly became one of the categories of people I scorn the most: those who run frantically through airports. For those of you who don't know, JFK is a hellhole and has like 100 different terminals, with a tram system that connects them. I did not know this, and my connecting flight was basically on the other side of the world (I use hyperbole because I have 1+ blisters from my jog between my planes and I'm still miffed). I made my flight, and proceeded to watch several movies instead of sleeping (sorry mom), including 10 Things I Hate About You and the Lego Movie.
Once I landed on the 23 (red-eye flight!!! yay!!!), my dad's childhood neighbor (Danielle) picked me up from the airport and showed me around a little bit. I was somewhat delirious at this point, but it was beautiful nonetheless. I proceeded to take a 6 hour nap and then rally to go to a jazz club with Danielle, who is a jazz singer!
"Why can't they just play the right notes?" -Angela Martin (The Office)
It was delightful, even though I have to agree with Angela on this one.
The next day, I had breakfast with Danielle and her family, and then I went to meet my host family!
A note on food:
The meal schedule here is a little different. Breakfast is something small between 6 and 9am, lunch is very large and is between 1:30-2:30pm, and dinner is something small (leftovers from lunch) usually between 7 and 9pm.
My host family is lovely--a married couple with a housekeeper and one daughter who still lives at home. They've had study abroad students for something like 12 years, so they're experts! They are lovely and patient and kind.
The days since I went to my host family (24--today, the 26) have consisted mainly of meeting the other kids in my program, getting to know them, and getting oriented in Chile. Santiago itself is a pretty straightforward city--most of the streets are horizontal or parallel. Tonight a few friends and I went out for drinks at a place called Plaza Ñuñoa, which is in what is essentially our neighborhood of Ñuñoa. I walked home and didn't get lost!!!
Speaking in Spanish is exhausting, but I am learning SO much already, and I can feel my Spanish flowing more easily. Especially when I've had a few drinks.
For now, I sleep. Tomorrow's another big day!
Besos,
Nina
