Monday morning I got up, took my shower, ate breakfast, and rode the bus to school as usual. I talked to friends and smiled at teachers and had a jolly good normal time. During second period I was helping my friend work on an art project when a teacher came into the classroom and said something that I didn't catch. A few people got up and filed out of the class, and my friend stood up and started packing up his things. He told me that I should go with him and but I was so confused! Half the class was leaving and the other half was just staring at me. I didn't know what to do, so I decided to trust the advice of every single rebound I have ever met and just say "yes" to the opportunity. The whole class started laughing and my friend led me out of the classroom and over to the auditorium. Inside the auditorium there were a bunch of other teenagers from out school waiting. When they saw me they started laughing and asked my friend what I was doing there. He explained to them that I had no clue what was going on, and they just laughed harder. I smiled because even though I had no clue what I had signed up for, I trusted these people and I knew I would have fun.
We headed outside and one of the professors told me to stand in a certain spot on the concrete the center of a line with 4 other kids. The rest of the kids then got in line behind all of our lines. I looked up at the boy next to me and asked him to PLEASE explain what was going on. He had to repeat himself several times, but after a while I understood that we were supposed to march to the beat of a drum. I figured we were in some sort of parade, but I didn't know what it was for or when or where it was! At the time, I had no idea that to be in this parade was an honor for selected students to represent the school in a parade through Rancagua. But that's the thing about being an exchange student; you never actually know what's going on but you learn to take something away from each little experience anyway. I am telling you this story in this manner because I want to get across how incredibly clueless I was. I like being in control and knowing what is going on, but these passed two months I have learned to let go because I don't really have another choice. After lunch on Monday, I was told that I didn't need to go to class and should get on a bus with the other students in the parade because we were going to practice in the actual location of the parade. During that bus ride, some friends explained to me that for the next few days I wouldn't have to wear a uniform or go to class because we were going to practice walking in the parade most of the day, and I was completely okay with that! Tuesday we practiced most of the day and Wednesday was the actual day of the parade. We left school early Wednesday and hung out downtown until it was time for us to march! We talked and laughed and ate candy and I had a very pleasant time. Hours later, it was time to march, and the actual march only lasted about 10 minutes!
As you can tell, a large part of my week revolved around this parade that the school seemed to take pretty seriously. However it doesn't end there! Yesterday I was informed that my school wants me to travel to the Capital tomorrow to participate in a volleyball tournament with a bunch of other schools! This means that tomorrow at 10:00am and play volleyball all day instead of going to class! I am super excited and very nervous but loving the idea of all these new experiences and opportunities!
It is impossible to document every great thing that has happened to me here, but I feel like I have done a sufficient job for the night. Wish me luck tomorrow and goodnight!
I love this story!
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