My First Week!

I arrived in Santiago on Thursday. We took an over night flight so we had to sleep on the plane. That wasn't the most pleasant trip, the smell of airplane food made me feel sick to my stomach. Anyway, we arrived in Santiago that moring and went to the hostal where the orientation was to be held. The hostal was actually a monastary/ safehouse type thing, with court yards and sanctuaries. It was gorgeous. I made so many friends from all over the world and learned alot about Chilean culture even in those two days. I arrived in Coyhaique on Sunday. It is so beautiful here. My host family lives on 3.7 acres of land in about 5 miles out of town. We went on a walk my first day and we found this bush with the tastiest little berries, so my host siblings and I eat them. They were called Calafate berries and the legend says that he who eats the berries will always return to Chile. So there you have it, my first 24 hours and I already know that I am coming back. My host family is amazing. They are very patient with the language and they are a very loving and close family. We drink Mate, which is a strong tea that you drink out of a special cup and straw, everyday in the afternoon with lunch. If you aren't familiar with how the eating schedule is here in Chile, it goes like this. Small breakfast of coffe and bread, luch is the biggest meal of the day eaten at about 2 to 3 o'clock, and late dinner (aka Once) is very small and served late at about 9:00. It is actually a big change to go through. Speaking of big changes, I started school today. I am attending Liceo San Felipe Benicio. We wear uniforms and go to chruch class because it is a private Catholic school. I was so nervous.  My spanish is very limited and it was like speaking spanglish, but in spite of those things the students were very kind and interested in me. I can't wait to see what tommorow brings. I'll keep you posted.