Mi Familia Chilena

Today we woke up early, 8am, and caught a taxi to the airport.  We got there on time but we couldn't find anyone.  After walking around for awhile we found the drivers with a sign.  Eventually we found Dany she misread the instructions and was hanging out upstairs.  It was about a 1hr van ride away, I drifted off.  I am so sleepy today, I think everything caught up with me.  I just hope I am not getting sick.

Ryan was dropped off first up a huge hill and his host dad came out and was so excited and gave him a big hug.  Dany was dropped of second on the opposite hill, I was dropped off third, in the middle of the two lower down on the hill.  My host mom is little, tan with blue eyes.  She doesn't understand hardly any English but is patient when I speak.  I understand everything she says but am nervous to respond.  I get lost so quickly when I try to explain things.

The daughter is pretty and friendly with light brown hair.  She turns 23 Tuesday.  They are both very friendly, but it is hard to adjust to living in someone home. I did my standard hide in my room and sort my things earlier today and then took a long nap.

They have two dogs, cocker spaniels, that live in the backyard.  There is a giant sunroom which is the living room and is nice and warm.  The kitchen is where you eat and there is a tiny table next to the fridge.

The city is very pretty with a bunch of hills. I want to take a shower but I don't want to freeze again. I am actually afraid to shower because it sounds soooo cold. The window stays open in the bathroom which is another reason why I am worried, but I looked out it earlier and the hill sparkled with lights.  It was beautiful but at the same time looked cold.

The home is decorated with a bunch of artifacts they collect as they travel.  The host mom knows a lot about manchu piccu and history of latin america because that is her profession.  I am looking forward to utilizing her knowledge for my trip for saving money. I am also excited because she said the textiles are really cheap like $2 scarf.  This is something I must do :)

Some of the artifacts were broken from the earthquakes.  I am not too worried about the earthquakes but Dany just finished studying all about natural disasters so she is nervous.

I decided to stay in one of the daughters rooms instead of the room by the washer and dryer.  I am so happy I chose this room because it is warm and larger :)

THE SHOWER WAS HOT!!! The heater is right outside my door, the host mom gave me a safe for my things...its a wooden box and not very heavy... I might just lock my suitcase, that thing will be hard to steal.  She also gave me a card with all her information.  They are both so sweet, the mother keeps saying queeee liiiindo, queee siiiimpatica...they are just so cute. Security is a worry here I guess because they also lock the interior kitchen door and all the homes have a front gate, but that is common in a lot of places.   It's weird to think in Chesterfield how open and exposed our home is, and how we are even willing to leave it unlocked for periods of time.

Words can not describe how happy I am to be here, it is such a peaceful home and the daughter and mother are SO inviting. Now I need to figure out something interesting to give them. Something nice, they will use and enjoy, not a snow globe.  But they do seem to enjoy trinkets which represent plaves. Maybe a spoon, I saw some hanging on their wall...hmmm