So this week is the week of el dieciocho (the 18th), which is the Chilean Independence Day. The official day is actually tomorrow, but tomorrow we leave for Las Termas de Chillan, which will be a separate post. So, on Monday we had our language placement exam, and on Tuesday we got the results-- all three of us are in Group 3 (the most advanced)! Hooray! Monday afternoon a big group of us met at the university, walked in the hills around there to a waterfall, and went out for ice cream.
Yesterday morning we had a general and academic orientation which discussed the basics and handed out syllabi for our classes (two intensive Spanish classes, one Latin American Studies class and one practicum-- going out and talking to people, etc.). Last night there was a party with our "hermanos" from the Universidad Santo Tomas. To be honest many of us felt like we didn't have as much in common with these students-- this university is more like a community or career college, and they are all culinary students. But, there was food, music, and dancing, so it was still fun.
Today in the morning we had cueca (traditional Chilean dance which is performed mostly at el dieciocho) clases, taught by our TAs (students from the Universidad de Concepcion). It was very fun and not as hard as I thought it would be (not that I'm an expert or anything)! Today in the afternoon we went to a cafe but then mostly just rested and packed.
Which brings me to the weekend plans-- Dipika and I are going with her family to Las Termas de Chillan. This area is in the mountains about an hour and a half from here and has skiing, hot springs, spas, a casino, shops, and restaurants. Her family has a cabin there (see picture, which was actually taken later than this post was written), and they told her she could invite one friend, so that's me. A group of guys (including Evan) is leaving Friday and renting a cabin of their own. So, we will meet up with them there. I don't plan to ski but will enjoy the hot springs and many other activities. I will be back on Sunday and update then or soon next week when classes start! Ciao!
4 comments:
omg that place sounds like bliss! i want pictures - i don't care if ur being touristy!
wait. skiing? what's the weather like there now? i know the seasons are reversed, but we're still in early fall. is it like March, with the snow not yet melted in the mountains?
it is like march. in fact, today was the first day of spring.
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