Orientation

Nuestras Universidad (google image)

Today my host mom took me to the University in Valparaiso.  It is in a very old building.   We got there early and she checked her watch then excitingly said, oh we have time, and gave me a tour.  We went to the gym and the church.  When we entered the church she said this is where the students come before an exam to pray.  I thought that was funny.  My house mom is so cute and little and eclectic. I love it.  Then we had our orientation and Spanish placement exams. It was long, I don't think I did as well on it as I should have.  The orientation was very well organized. There was cookies and sandwiches, then we went on a tour of the main building.  The international students have their own little wing. I was bummed that we weren't going to have classes with Chileans but its ok.



Then our professor took us to get our phone at the mall. But on the way he/we were hungry so we stopped at this restaurant right on the beach.  It was beautiful, there were seals playing in the waves. I got Chilean sea bass, it was yummy, the place was pretty fancy.  He also unexpectedly payed for lunch.  He is a very interesting man, he has worked for the UN and fled Chile right before/during the military coup, it's weird to thing that that all happened just 23 years ago.  He has lived all over the place and has a ton of interesting stories.  Now he studies education and teaches about it.  Tomorrow I have the lecture version of his course.  Then Thursday the lab session where we are going to go experience the Chilean education system first hand.

Enjoy Resturante en Vina (google image)

We also went to the mall and bought our cell phones.  It was a huge ordeal.  I am so glad I have my host family because my host mom is so sweet and reliable.  Both are qualities I greatly value.  And she turns on the heater when I go upstairs.  That's also something I love about my host family.  I do wish I was around more to hang out with Alesia, I hope maybe this weekend her and I can hang out.  It's funny her name sounds so much like mine, I get confused quite frequently.

Looking forward to more and more days like this one :)

pitos- avocados
gallo- guy
pololo/pololar- boyfriend/ to date

Just putting mint leaves in water for tea, looked and smelled good.

I am not looking forward to taking the bus alone tomorrow but I should manage. I will just turn tomato red then sit down and relax till my stop, then I will get flustered and get off.