OThis past week was absolutely amazing! I have so many pictures that it's hard to choose which ones to upload onto my blog, and I can't put them all on here because the internet would probably explode. When so many good things happen in one week it's hard to remember every little detail, so I am just going to try and tell you all about some of the bigger, more memorable things I have done.
One day this week, my dad decided that since I have never seen the President of Chile's house and office, he ought to take me there. He told me to invite a friend and that we would spend the entire day in Santiago. I invited Louis, my newbie from New Zealand to come with me. Louis is super cool and likes sports as much as I do. He reminds me of my guy friends from the US because we are competitive with one another and spend a lot of time bothering each other. I annoy him intentionally and he ignores me and that's just our relationship. But it's okay, because I will make him love me. He is my exchange brother and my newbie, he has to, it the rule. We went to the White House of Chile (it's not actually called that) and were surprised when we were the only ones trying too walk through the front door. There were armed guards all over the place, and I didn't feel like what we were doing was normal. I knew my host dad was important in Rancagua, but I was left speechless when he walked up to the guards at the front door, showed them his ID, and was immediately treated with the utmost respect. All the guards bowed their heads a little and addressed him as "mi coronel." I felt so cool to call him my dad! We got a special tour inside the place because my dad is so important!
After that, we walked around Santiago a bit more, ate lunch, and then climbed up Saint Lucia Hill. It was so beautiful! It's this big hill in the middle of the city overgrown with trees and flowers and artsy little strictures! We could see all of Santiago from up there!
The next day I woke up really sore from all the walking. I had slept really well, which was good considering what my plans were for the following day. My friend from the grade below me, Box, had invited me to go in a huge hike with him and his cousin. I was stoked, because even though I typically hate hiking in the US because my mom makes me do it all the time, hiking is something that is a part of my family and I was beggining to miss that part a little. Silly me. When we began the hike it felt so good to stretch my legs out and breath in the fresh air. There was no smog that day and Rancagua looked so peaceful and colorful. But after an hour of walking uphill, I began to feel it way more than I wanted to. The thing about hiking in Chile is that people don't really hike. They walk up hills without trails and dodge spikes trees. It was hard, but I had a great time talking to my friend and his cousin. It was about a three and a half hour hike and we were exhausted when we finished! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the hike itself, but I do have one sorry little picture of the aftermath:
Another day this week I went to my Javi's house to meet with a few other girlfriends and eat sushi. We hadn't seen eachother in a long time and we spent hours laughing and catching up. It was then that I explained all the sticky situations I have been going through with them. They were all furious that I was switching schools and wanted to try to do something to change it. I explained to them that trying to change things would probably bring up other problems, and they agreed not to try anything even behind my back hahah. These girls are so genuine and so sweet and I feel so lucky to have them in my life. They told me they were jealous of the school that I would attend and that I had the obligation of still hanging out with them all the time. They told me I still had to come graduate with them in December, and that I still had to sign their uniform shirts and that they would still make one for me. They told me that I didn't have to go to Coya to still be a part of Coya, and that they loved me and refused to loose contact.
While listening to them talk about how my leaving would affect them, I felt a reassurance despite my sadness. I would miss them, but this wasn't a goodbye in any way. I would keep in touch with them like I do with Juliana, and we will still live in the same city. I felt reassured that I will be okay going to a new school because of what I did at Coya. I managed to make some of the greatest friends I have ever had in the last 6 months, and during the first 2 months I knew them, I barely said any words. These girls held me up as I stumbled through Spanish and to this day have never let me fall. I don't know if I will meet girls like them in my new school, but this exchange has taught me that there are incredible people everywhere if you look for them. I am going to remain friends with this adorable group, but I am also going to make friends in my new school because I like meeting people and I speak Spanish.
Well, that's most of what happened this week! On Saturday night I went to the movies with my parents and that was nice hahaha. I don't understand why people are embarrassed to go places with their parents. My parents, both in the US and Chile, are some of the most inspirational people I have ever met and I feel privileged that they would want to spend time with me.
I can't wait to see what cool things happen this week! Bye. :)
