Back in South America

 And it feels so good! I had a really wonderful time in the Bay catching up with friends and running around trying to see everyone at least once. The food was amazing, but my time spent with friends and family was even better. Luckily, my mom and Dillon got to come back down to Santiago with me! Getting here was the longest travel day of my life, but it was totally worth it. We had two layovers, one in San Salvador and one in Lima, before we finally touched down in Chile, but we got a little extra exploring in. First stop: El Salvador. With 7 hours to spare before our next flight we decided to vacate the airport instead of spending the entire time wandering through Duty Free shops, spraying copious amounts of perfume and cologne. First impression of El Salvador was a positive one. It was hot and humid, but SO GREEN! I mean, obviously, it's a tropical country, but it still took me by surprise. All we did was drive through the outskirts and to the beach, but the scenery was gorgeous. (Pictures are to come, but I am currently without the cord for my camera, bummer). We decided to eat at this little, locally owned "restaurant" with an awesome view of the ocean. Our bodies were really out of wack with the actual time so at 10a.m. we decided to eat shrimp coctails and beer, breakfast of champions. After a relaxing meal, soacking up the Costa del Sol breeze, we walked along the beach wishing we could go swimming in what had to be 75 degree water. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport and board the plane to Lima.

The rest of the voyage was pretty uneventful, lots of sitting in airports and on planes, waiting, and occasionally sleeping. The last two flights were relatively empty, so I took it upon myself to leave my seat, search for a row near the back that was completely empty, and lay down across the seats to try to catch some z's. Best decision ever. Lying down really is the best sleeping position. In the end, we made it, none of our bags got lost, customs was a breeze, and there were no major issues! Now it's time to show my Mom and Dillon around Santiago, my other home.

HAPPY 2012! The world isn't going to end, but in case you're worried about only having 12 months left, make sure you're having the time of your life. Don't worry, be happy, it makes the world a better place.

Going going, back back, to Cali Cali

The time has finally come to head back to the States. I could not be more excited to be heading home for Christmas and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to spend the holiday with my family and closest friends. Speaking of Christmas, the holiday spirit is in the air in Chile, and oddly enough so is the heat. Summer is in full swing in the middle of December and it is really throwing me off. It's really the strangest thing to see Christmas decorations and snowmen on display right next to beach balls and lawn chairs. Another thing I noticed is that no one has real Christmas trees. How sad! I mean, I know they are really hard to find down here, but that smell is the best part about the tree.  Even so, it's pretty neat to experience the feeling of Christmas in another country.
 
Although I'm ready for a vacation from Chile, I cannot express how happy I am that I will be returning. I am not ready to head back to California permanently. The Bay will always be my home, but Santiago has found a special place in my heart and I am beyond stoked that I have more time before I say goodbye for good. Unfortunately, I won't be returning with a lot of the friends I have made during these amazing first 6 months. I hate saying goodbye, I'm more of a see-you-later type person because I honestly believe that I will see you later. I'm only 20, this is still just the beginning. I can't wait to share this journey that is my life with friends new and old.

You know you're in Chile when...

I've compiled a list of things that are, in my opinion, quite distinctly Chilean. Most of the time they are things that really annoy me, but I wonder if I will actually miss them when I am back in the states. Good thing I have another semester to soak it all up!

1. Walking into the grocery store and seeing more "bagged" than "canned" products.
2. Continuing with the grocery store theme, having baggers put a maximum of three items (no matter the size) in a plastic bag. (Still waiting for the green movement to hit Chile
3. Toilet paper being placed outside the stall, I guess it's just too much to place a dispenser in every stall, therefore one giant one at the farthest end of the bathroom will have to do.
4. Seeing rat tails that have been growing since birth.
5. Waiting ridiculously long to get an email response.
6. Eating normal sized portions.
7. NOT eating normal amounts of bread, I've had enough pan to last me a lifetime
8. Putting mayo on absolutely everything, and not just a tad, we're talking globs!
9. Having to flag down the bus because you know that without sufficient effort on your part, the bus will not stop.
10. Knowing when you must give in and take a cab because the bus passed you by at 3 in the morning.
11. Last, but surely not least, seeing people of all ages making out furiously in public places.

I'm sure the list will only keep growing.