Tid bits

A few random photos from the past couple weeks in Chile. I've been swamped with homework, but am still enjoying my time here!

Last Saturday, we went to La Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda's most beloved home. These photos are from some of the balconies outside his home. He liked to spend his winters here, with the crashing of the waves. Neruda had a fear of being in or around the water, so this explains why he didn't like being near the water in summertime.

We learned that he referred to himself as a 'cosisto', cosa meaning thing, instead of a collectioniso, a collecter. In this home, he had random displays of everything, from African elephant tusks, to insects to pottery to anything you can think of. He liked the surround himself with these random things.

Beth, one of my good friends here, also has a Chilean sister in the same grade, at the same high school, so she attended the graduation mass (see below). After the mass, her family treated me to pizza in the CUTEST place ever in Valparaiso called Alegret

to! The photo with

the mural is the 'game room' upstairs, I thought it was pretty impressive. Beth lives close to be in Vina, and her family is always so nice to me! Her mom is always ready with a delicious snack for us. Next weekend, her dad is taking a group of about 7 to his home town, about 1 hour north of Vina. He is in a sailing club and has access to kayaks, we we're going kayaking. I'm very excited for this!

At Martina's graduation mass in the cathedral in Valparaiso. Each student received their own bible and there was a blessing for the graduates. In the couple masses I've gone to in Chile, I find the priests very easy to understand- which is great! I think it is because these church members are often well-educated and well-traveled and have learned how to train their accents.

In Chile, there have been many strikes in these past few weeks. Government offices are closed, state parks and museums have been closed as well. Public schools have been closed as well- my friends what volunteer at the public schools haven't been able to go for about a month now. This is some writing I saw outside a school "Solidarity with the teachers".

In other Chilean news, it is election season! A new president, senators and representatives will be elected in the second week in December. My dad will be in town for the elections (I believe they are the 13th) so that will be an interesting time. Last week, billboards and large signs went up. They line the streets. My mom likes Pinera, who is running for the Alianza, the "center-right" party. We learned that this is the first time since the 50's in Chile that a member from a traditionally coservative party is a strong candidate for President. The Concertacion party (a combination of Christian Democrat party, Socialist party, Radical Party, etc) has won the past 5 elections or so. It wouldn't surprise me if Pinera wins based on just this- the need for a change in leadership.

3 weeks from today, my program ENDS. I am both excited and sad for this. I mostly wonder where all the time went! Every day I look at the date, November ___ and I can't believe I'm writing November! I have been looking forward to my semester abroad for years, with so much anxiety and excitement over this past summer, and now it's almost done. Man.

What comes with the end of the semester? Homework, final papers and final exams. Even in Chile! This week I had for Tuesday a short essay, Thursday 4 papers for my Management course and for today, Friday, a 7-10 final paper for my Literature course. That is a LOT of time writing, and I'm glad to be done for a bit. However, I have a History of Chile test on Monday. Yuck yuck yuck. We have a long reading for it and it's not going to be a fun one. Luckily, some of it is on the Pinochet era, which I have a good grasp of, so that's good!

Guess what we're doing next week? THANKSGIVING!! On Thursday, we each are bringing a 'side dish' to share- I am on the stuffing committee. Turkeys are being provided by our university. We get to each invite 2 people. I'm hoping that I can invite 3, so that everyone in my family can come. We'll have to see about that, though. It will be fun to share this bit of our unique holiday with our Chilean family and professors! And eat some good food. Mmmm, I can't wait!

Also, tomorrow I am going surfing! Unfortunately the weather lately has been cloudy and cold (relatively cold, considering it's almost summer here, in the low 60s) so I hope that the weather clears up for tomorrow. The Pacific is freezing as it is, so some nice sunshine would be fantastic. The trip is offered through our school- it's $44 US for transportation (it's 1 hr away), lunch at a restaurant, a lesson and full surf gear (including a wetsuit). I figure this is about the cheapest I will get to surf. Plus, my dad made a good point the other day that in my short months in Chile, I will have snowboarded and surfed! It's about the same concept, right? ;)

Well, it's time for almuerzo here! Take care everyone.