The First Day (That I Didn't Sleep Through)

So, I slept through the better part of yesterday (after some quick initial exploring) because we didn't sleep at all on the plane. However, I did wake up for our dinner at 6:30. First, there were appetizers and drinks, which were quite good. I discovered that I really like the jugo de frambuesas (raspberry juice) that they have here-- something we don't have in the States. Anyway, there were several Chilean students from the university who were there to show us the cueca-- Chile's national dance-- because Independence Day is coming up this week. They showed us and asked for several volunteers to participate (I was not among them haha). We then moved on to a very lavish Welcome Dinner, which was basically a huge buffet. I met my "hermana"-- the Chilean student I am paired with to practice my Spanish, get help, etc.-- but did not get to talk to her very much, as she had other responsibilities (dancing, presenting, etc.). Lots of people went out after the dinner, but those of us who just flew in this morning mostly decided to stay back.

This morning we had a very nice breakfast-- mostly continental but some eggs and might I say very salty bacon. Then we had orientation for a couple of hours-- mostly just going over important things like the schedule, when rent is due, how to get our ID cards, do's and don'ts, etc. Then, Evan, Dipika, and I went and changed our money into pesos, watched cueca dancing in the Plaza de Armas, and walked (about 15 minutes) to the Universidad de Concepcion (see left-- entry archway). The campus is very pretty-- we took a couple of pictures, which I will try putting up later. We ran into some other people we knew from dinner last night while there, so we just chatted and looked around (no students are there because they have the week off for the holiday). We then came back and had lunch-- sandwiches and a chocolate crepe for dessert-- at a nice cafe on the Plaza.

Tonight there is a party at which we will meet more of the "hermanos." My hermana won't be there because she has an interview, but the daughter of the family I am living with will be, so I will get to meet her! I meet my entire host family and move in tomorrow. I will post how that goes! I think my posts will be not be as extensive as I settle in, but for now everything is new and exciting! I will try to post the few pictures I have taken (trying not to be too much of a tourist) when I can.