Update time

Hola mis gringitos! Como estan?

Everything is great here in Chile!! My host family is fantastic and I feel so lucky to have the oppurtunity to stay with them. Paloma is the cutest little woman and she is so sweet and loving. I feel like she is always trying to take me somewhere and include me in some part of her day. Like today, for instance, we are going to her neice's baby shower. Needless to say, that will be quite an experience! I also had my first experience with the Santiago transportation system yesterday and she was there to guide me. In order for me to reach my school I have to take a bus and then walk to the metro and take that into central Santiago. Then I walk a few more blocks and I am there! I think it takes 30-40 minutes in all. Paloma also took me to get my chilean SIM card today so I now have a cell phone that is completely in spanish, hah!

My host father Jaime is a very sweet man and although he isn't home much, he is always talking to me and trying to tell me about Santiago when he is. He gave me a really beautiful book all about the city and the famous palaces, artwork and fun places to go. He is the president of a nearby university and also teachers spanish. So, he is also constantly correcting me when I make mistakes but that is totally fine by me. I am actually surprised that no one in my family speaks much English. Apparently the older daughters speak fluently but either they are too shy to say anything about it or they don't want me speaking it because I just met the oldest daughter, Lorena, last night and we only spoke in Spanish. Pero, esta bien. Es muy bueno para mi!

I have honestly hardly seen my host sister, Valentina, since I arrived. She is constantly busy with school and friends and when she is here she is on the internet all the time talking to her friends. Ah, to be 17. I remember when I was her age so I really don't mind. But hopefully we will get to hang out more later on during my stay here.

Yesterday I toured around Santiago and my university with the USAC group. It is really beautiful here, albeit cold and slightly grey, but it will warm up soon! I want to take pictures of the apartment (which is absolutely gorgeous) and the city but I'm trying to wait for a day when it isn't so blah outside.

I'm doing pretty good so far with my spanish. I can definitely get my point across in most cases but I am also limited by how little I truly know. The Chilean accent is slightly difficult to understand but everyone has been very patient and nice to me thus far. I've met some Chilean students already through the university so now that I have my cell phone I will hopefully be able to hang out with them and get out of the house more. Plus, classes start on Monday so I will be busy either way.

For those of you who are interested in my schedule:
I have class from 9:35 to 3:30 on Monday and Wednesday with a break from 12:35 to 2:00.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I have class from 11:15-12:35.

Also, in the case that any of you are interested in sending a package or what not the best address to send it to is:
Alec Shannon
Programa USAC
Universidad Andres Bello
Republica 470, Piso 3
Santiago, Chile

However, customs will take away (or steal) expensive items or food (ie. fruit, vegetables, and meat). I think other food items MIGHT be okay.

Well, this turned into a big update! I'm done now- hope you all are well!