Hola!
As always I'm so sorry I haven't written. A lot has happened since I have posted last. I have started classes and am into the full swing of things, Hannah and Becca came to Chile, I went to Pucon, and am anticipating going to ARGENTINA this weekend! So about two weeks ago Hannah and Becca trekked came all the way from Pennsylvania to stay with me for a week! It was a little stressful for both of us trying to get to that airport in Santiago. Hannah and Becca almost got stuck in Brazil and I lost my phone a second time and couldn't remember what terminal to find them at. But with that said we found each other no problem and even though all three of us were lacking sleep we enjoyed every minute.

Right from the airport we took a bus straight to the bus terminal where we spent a couple hours eating and where Hannah and Becca started getting acquainted with the street dogs. I shared with them my favorite food her which called a COMPLETO and pretty much it includes a hotdog with tomato, palta, and mayo. However I prefer it with out Mayo. 

They didn't seem to like it as much as I did......

So after spending a couple hours in the bus terminal we went our way to La Serena which is 7 hours north of Vina up the shore. We arrived at 7 in the morning before the sun was even out. All three of us were still waking up when we had to figure out in which direction is our hostal. Thankfully there was a nice little Chilean man who spoke english who pointed into the right direction. So we walked up hill with all our luggage to our hostal, I'm not sure how we made it to the hostal but we did! Since we got there around 7-8 in the morning we were not allowed to stay so we walked around La Serena and look for a place to eat. We ended up getting bread, jam, and cream cheese from a super market and eating it on a bench with the pigeons because nothing else was open yet. Afterwards we went back to our hostal slept some and then explored La Serena some more.

The Patio of our hostel

Mural in a cafe

 As for our days in La Serena they were wonderful spending time relaxing and catching up with Hannah and Becca. And as for the nights, we spent them trying to find pizza and then going back to our hostel with 5 beds where all 3 of us shared 1 bed. On Saturday we went horsebackriding in the valley of Elqui and the only thing I have to say about that was how amazing it was. I don't have pictures but Hannah does and I'm sure she'll put them up eventually. After a wonderful weekend in La Serena we took a bus back down to Vina where I got to show Hannah and Becca around. It was a busy week trying to balance going to class and seeing them but I couldn't have asked for a better week with them!

So to HANNAH & BECCA thank you so much for coming to Chile that was definitely the best week here thus far!

EN SERIO?

Today was the first day of classes. I woke up really early and with a stomach ache because I was so nervous not only my class with Chileans but getting there and back. So I decided to leave at 8 even though my class didn't start until 10:05. I had no problem getting to the campus, in fact I was an hour and a half early. So I sat on a bench for that time trying to look as little Gringa as I could which was impossible. So finally at 10:05 my class started. Class went well I like my professor and even though I couldn't understand everything I think I'm going to like this class. Okay and then after that class I had another class on another campus that starts 10 minutes after this class ends. So as soon as I was done this class I frantically ran out the door and tried to find some form of transportation to my next class. After walking around for 20 minutes I finally find a collectivo that will take me where I need to go. Once I arrived at the second campus I couldn't find my class so I asked a Chilean to help me. Finally I get to my classroom only to find out this class doesn't start until next week..... Great! Well at least I know where this class is now. Then when I got home I dropped my phone in the toilet which is something I do often at home too. So now I'm phone less. Looks like going to class is giving me something to write about. This afternoon I have 3 more classes and the last one goes until 6:30. Wish me luck!
-Kaitlyn

So long summer vacation!!!

Saludos Todos!
My summer vacation in Chile has ended. This past month has been nothing but fun with little school work. Last weekend I went to Santiago where I met all of the other students who will be staying in Chie for the semester as well. Santiago was a blast but the days were filled with lots of activities which always left all of us exhausted by the end of the day. Here are a few pictures sorry there aren't many my camera died the second day: (
                                           The hill where Santiago was founded

Fountain

Pictures with Mapuche statues

View from the top of the hill

Messiah Represent

Gringas

This guy did karaoke the whole night

Some beautiful church in Santiago

Allende

Tour guide-loved him

Winery & Vineyard

These things reminded me of milk tanks

I wish I had more pictures from Santiago because we also went to the house of Pablo Neruda who is a famous poet and his house was pretty awesome. After that we went to Cerro San Cristobal which from the top you can see out over all of Santiago. Over all Santiago was a very nice city. While I was in Santiago I almost forgot I was in Chile because of how modern and clean everything is. After a packed weekend I was ready to come home to Vina!
     This past week I didn't have classes so I spent a lot of time at the beach and had some orientation stuff. I picked out my classes for the semester and am taking 6 classes! Also all of my classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday which is really nice but those days are going to be packed! I'm excited for classes to start but I'm also really nervous because I have to take some of my classes with Chileans... But it will definitely take my learning Spanish to a new level. Also my all of my classes are on different campus' that are 10-15 minutes apart with transportation. Never had to deal with anything like this before at Messiah. So for now I'm gonna enjoy my last day before classes start. Oh and also Hannah is coming THURSDAY! So that gives me something big to look forward too! Well that is all I have to say about Chile now! I have a busy month coming up I am going to La Serena this weekend with Hannah, Pucon next weekend, and then la isla negra the next.


Chao a todos!
-Kaitlyn

Las Dunas

Hola!

So it has been awhile since I have written on this. I am loving Chile more and more everyday. These first 3 weeks have went by so fast. Next week I will be done with my February classes and will be going to Santiago for the week! The weather here is wonderful and it is always sunny outside (no humidity). I spend my days during the week going to class until 2 then in the afternoons I usually go to the beach or walk around Vina with my friends. I haven't gotten the opportunity yet to travel outside of the Valparaiso Region because a weekend is not enough time but hopefully in the semester I will be able too. So that is all that I have been doing so far school, meeting Chileans, and embracing the Chilean Culture. So far this study abroad trip seems more like a long vacation than anything else!

On Tuesday we went to the sand dunes in Renaca with some of our Chilean friends from the University. It was absolutely beautiful, on one side of the dunes was the ocean and the other the mountains!

This Country is truly wonderful and there is so much that makes it so unique. I love the food, music, people, and language more and more everyday. Oh side note... they eat there hotdogs with avocado and tomatoes and it is the most delicious thing in the world everyone needs to try it. 

Wow okay sorry this post is super random and unorganized which shouldn't be a suprise because thats just how I am but anyway last weekend we went to a concert on the beach. I didn't take my camera so I don't have pictures and I'm so mad I didn't but here are some of the Chilean artists just to get a feel of the music here.

Ok Que esta todo para ahora!

-Kait

Mi Casa en Chile.
Jared this is for you. Arturo Prat is the name of the street I live on.

This is the dining room

Living Room

The desk in my room

The sweet door I have

Central Room

My bed

View of the street from my window!