Friday, November 18, 2011
Finally, the end of the semester
I have never in my life been so relieved to be done with school! It feels like I've been going to constantly since I started fall quarter at UCSB as a sophomore, I never got a real summer! Well, now here it is, and I could not be more excited. The prospects ahead were definitely a little foggy though this last week, finals and a case of tonsillitis definitely tried to keep me down. I really only had one final that was an actual test, and it actually went pretty well. For my poetry class, we had to compile an anthology of poems and then write a 6 page prologue.... I have never done anything like that before and I was really overwhelmed. I absolutely hated working on it and thought it was such a waste of time, but I actually am really happy with the final product. For poly sci class on the political processes in latin america I'll have to write most likely a ten page paper of sorts. We had the option to write our last paper in english, and I thought I was all cool and attempted to write it in spanish... Well the professor wrote on the back of mine, "I think writing this assignment in spanish didn't help you convey your ideas thoroughly", but hey I still got a B! Looks like the next one will be in english. As for my last class... dear god, talk about stress. I originally was going to take the final early, because the TA said I could, so I booked all my flights and everything for Patagonia. The TA then came back and said that taking the final early was no longer an option. Genial!( absolutely wonderful!, sarcastic in this sense). Sooooo I am taking an incomplete and I have to take the final the first week of next semester. Thank GOD I am here for a year, otherwise I would have been completely screwed. Well that's all of my rant for now, I leave for Patagonia tomorrow. Two weeks of nothing but breathtaking nature and backpacking that is going to kick my ass, words cannot express my excitement!!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Halloween in La Serena
Halloween weekend happened to be extra long because we got Monday and Tuesday off, that meant one thing: It was time to back up and explore another region of Chile. This time, La Serena was up. Situated in the north of Chile, we were ready for some beach and weather finally nice enough to tan in. Missing halloween in Santa Barbara was bitter-sweet. I did not miss the hourds of people that cram into the streets of IV, but I did miss dressing up in coustumes 3 times in one week with some of the coolest people I know. Regardless, La Serena proved to be worth the trip.
To start, the bus ride is about 6 hours long. Not bad at all! Since Chile is so long and skinny, traveling north and south can take a while. We arrived in La Serena around 10:30, just in time to catch the last couple innings of the World Series! Even though it wasn't the Giants playing it was still fun to watch. The best part: the commentary in Spanish, absolutely hilarious. Surprisingly bus rides make you incredibly tired, even though all you do is sit there, stare out the window, and nap occasionally so I was ready for bed soon after the game ended. The bunkbeds in our rooms were quite precarious looking, a comparison could be made to lincoln logs and superglue. Well, the entire time we were there they never fell apart, so they were stabler than they appeared.
The next day was time for the beach and to get my tan on! Or so I thought, I was thinking tan but the sun was thinking burn. I have never been sun burned before in my life! With the exception of my face and rarely my shoulders. I guess there is a first time for everything, my legs were BRIGHT red. They hurt to touch, my pants irritated them, then they got itchy. Terrible. I now have so much more sympathy for people who get burned on the regular, it's not a fun experience. The beach was amazing thought, clear skies and blue water, I was in my element. The rest of the trip thought I was really careful to apply sunscreen. I swear the sun is stronger down here!Another night in the lincoln log bunk beds and we setting off for Vicuña and the Valle de Elqui the next day.
That night, I forgot all about my sunburn though when we went stargazing. We took a tour to the Mamalluca, I really like that name/word, Observatory to take a look at the clear night sky. Using a high power telescope, our guide showed us Jupiter! Like the actual planet! I could see the stratified lines on it's surface and everything, it made me feel absolutely tiny and insignificant in the most amazing way possible. Our guide also pointed out Orion and how he was upside down because we are in the southern hemisphere and the magellean clouds that you see instead of the north star. It was so cool! I loved it, not to mention I think I saw 10 shooting stars that night. Then next day we explored Vicuña and the valley a little more. It is the most adorable town, super quaint and peaceful. It was such a nice getaway from the city and it's busy lifestyle. Fresh, non polluted air was also quite welcome.
Our last day was back in La Serena and was really relaxing, unfortunately a cloud cover had rolled in so beach was out of the question. It was another day of exploring the city streets with it's fish markets, hidden castels, and THE most amazing shrimp and crab empanadas (yup they were fried). Could not have asked for a better weekend, such a welcome break from school. Another region of Chile that I get to check off my list: La Serena, you didn't disappoint.
To start, the bus ride is about 6 hours long. Not bad at all! Since Chile is so long and skinny, traveling north and south can take a while. We arrived in La Serena around 10:30, just in time to catch the last couple innings of the World Series! Even though it wasn't the Giants playing it was still fun to watch. The best part: the commentary in Spanish, absolutely hilarious. Surprisingly bus rides make you incredibly tired, even though all you do is sit there, stare out the window, and nap occasionally so I was ready for bed soon after the game ended. The bunkbeds in our rooms were quite precarious looking, a comparison could be made to lincoln logs and superglue. Well, the entire time we were there they never fell apart, so they were stabler than they appeared.
The next day was time for the beach and to get my tan on! Or so I thought, I was thinking tan but the sun was thinking burn. I have never been sun burned before in my life! With the exception of my face and rarely my shoulders. I guess there is a first time for everything, my legs were BRIGHT red. They hurt to touch, my pants irritated them, then they got itchy. Terrible. I now have so much more sympathy for people who get burned on the regular, it's not a fun experience. The beach was amazing thought, clear skies and blue water, I was in my element. The rest of the trip thought I was really careful to apply sunscreen. I swear the sun is stronger down here!Another night in the lincoln log bunk beds and we setting off for Vicuña and the Valle de Elqui the next day.
That night, I forgot all about my sunburn though when we went stargazing. We took a tour to the Mamalluca, I really like that name/word, Observatory to take a look at the clear night sky. Using a high power telescope, our guide showed us Jupiter! Like the actual planet! I could see the stratified lines on it's surface and everything, it made me feel absolutely tiny and insignificant in the most amazing way possible. Our guide also pointed out Orion and how he was upside down because we are in the southern hemisphere and the magellean clouds that you see instead of the north star. It was so cool! I loved it, not to mention I think I saw 10 shooting stars that night. Then next day we explored Vicuña and the valley a little more. It is the most adorable town, super quaint and peaceful. It was such a nice getaway from the city and it's busy lifestyle. Fresh, non polluted air was also quite welcome.
Our last day was back in La Serena and was really relaxing, unfortunately a cloud cover had rolled in so beach was out of the question. It was another day of exploring the city streets with it's fish markets, hidden castels, and THE most amazing shrimp and crab empanadas (yup they were fried). Could not have asked for a better weekend, such a welcome break from school. Another region of Chile that I get to check off my list: La Serena, you didn't disappoint.
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| Sailing the seas |
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| Road to the beach, La Serena |
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| Emu friend |
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| Valle de Elqui |
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| Japanese gardens in La Serena |
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| One of La Serena's many churches |
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| Cueca performance in the park |
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| Papaya products :) |
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| Free tickets to a Pink Floyd cover band show? Hell yeah! |
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| Pisco tasting at Chile's largest distributor of it's famous alcohol |
October just flew by
So it has been about a month since my last entry and that is just a testament to how busy I have been. Also, now that life in Chile is my normal life, it seems weird to write a blog about it. I think that's why most of my entries have been about the trips I've taken. Anyway, here are a couple highlights from October (that I am now finally writing about in November)
As one of our cultural activity field trips, I went to see the Mapuche people and learn about their traditions. The Mapuche are Chile's indigenous people and, like the native americans in North America, have had most of their land taken away from them. Where they live now are on even smaller plots of land than most indian reservations. During the dictatorship they were treated especially horribly and masses of their people were abducted, tortured, and killed, just for having Mapuche blood. In the States, most people pride themselves of having even an 8th of native american ancestry, but here it's the complete opposite. No one wants to identify themselves as having indigenous roots because it is seen as inferior. For that reason, there is a decent movement by the Mapuche people to educate people and bring awareness about their culture. The day I was there wasdedicated to learning about their customs and beliefs. We participated in a ritual offering to Madre Tierra, ate some absolutely delicious food, learned about their version of the "medicine woman", and got to explore their rucas (homes).
Another October highlight was my birthday! October 24th was a fun day. It was strange not to have my birthday in the states, and although it was different it was still really fun! I cannot believe that I am no 20 years old, it doesn't seem like I should be that old, not that it's old, but I'm no longer a teenager! At the same time it feels weird to only be turning 20 where everyone around me seems to be 21-25, I've always been the baby. We all went to Hannah's house first and then went out to the clubs to dance the night away. I got to celebrate with some pretty amazing people and I'm so thankful this study abroad experience has introduced me to them!
LA VEGA! In the middle of Santiago's cosmopolitan, consumerist, wannabe American streets, lies La Vega, a truly south american experience. Definitely not strictly an October activity, but it seems to fit here. La Vega is the greatest thing that exists in Santiago. It is a GIANT open air market that sells fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses, nuts, and pretty much most everything else you would need in terms of groceries. Imagine a farmers market, except WAYYY bigger and 7 days a week. The crowds are out of control, especially on Sundays, and it's really chaotic, but the food is cheap and really fresh. It's fun to just go, even if you aren't gonna buy anything.
I cannot even believe that it is already November! Time is flying and it makes me so happy that I get to come back for another six months, my time here is just starting. Two more weeks and I am DONE with school and my trip to Patagonia begins! Words cannot express my excitement.
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| Medicine woman |
Another October highlight was my birthday! October 24th was a fun day. It was strange not to have my birthday in the states, and although it was different it was still really fun! I cannot believe that I am no 20 years old, it doesn't seem like I should be that old, not that it's old, but I'm no longer a teenager! At the same time it feels weird to only be turning 20 where everyone around me seems to be 21-25, I've always been the baby. We all went to Hannah's house first and then went out to the clubs to dance the night away. I got to celebrate with some pretty amazing people and I'm so thankful this study abroad experience has introduced me to them!
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| The bitthday kids; Gabe, Favi, and Me |
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| Some great people |
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| I was really tempted to buy this guy |
I cannot even believe that it is already November! Time is flying and it makes me so happy that I get to come back for another six months, my time here is just starting. Two more weeks and I am DONE with school and my trip to Patagonia begins! Words cannot express my excitement.
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