Update on Life

Okay wow I've been super busy doing all sorts of things so sorry its been awhile. Let's see since Friday I've made Chilean friends (AWESOME!) been to like a million tourist sites like the Plaza de Armas, the oldest church in Santiago, the Moneda ("President's Palace"), the oldest bar in Santiago, a castle (that's randomly in the middle of town), a giant market place, uhh I've gotten lost trying to take the metro, I've gone on a super long run (on accident.. about an hour and 15 minutes... turns out the mountains are farther away than they look)... umm yeah I can't think of what else but yeah. Okay pictures:

Chileans friends!!

Hung out with them on Saturday night. The girl bottom center is named Cami and she is suuuper nice and introduced me to all of her friends and yeah. I can hardly understand their slang and they mostly just make fun of me and laugh at my expense but there you go. I am the "Gringa" .. like permanently. I think here it isn't an insult like it is in the US/Mexico.. but still.

My apartment. Its super small, but i like it!

The kitchen, and through that door is the laundry room.

This is the riot buses that they use for the protests. We weren't sure if they like ram you with the bus, put the students in the bus, or if policemen come out of it.. but anyway it looks scary!

Oldest bar in Chile. Those drinks are called Terremotos, "Earthquakes". They have sorbet, white wine, and like a shot of whiskey (I think?) And they are so named because you can't tell they are very alcoholic (but they are!!) so after you drink them you feel like you've been through an earthquake. haha.

a church...

me at the church..

This is a statue in the Plaza de Armas. Its from the Mapuches and is supposedly a source of contention but i'm not sure why.

This is inside the castle that is randomly in the middle of the city. Its super beautiful!

Again, the castle.

The top of the castle, this is called "Cerro Santa Lucia" (Cerro="hill".) Super good view of the city!! These are my amigas from the US Mimi, Jess, (myself), Claire, and Liz.

 This is my host mom, Alejandra, my host brother, Cristobal, and my host cat, Clementina.

Okay well thats all for now!! Hopefully my next post won't take so long :) Ciao!