Busy, Busy . . . Oh! and Busy.

I really need to make a better attempt at this whole blog thing. I’m just extremely busy with my new life here. Anyways, the week after my last post I was in Santiago again for “El Día de Independencia” which is the 18^th of September. Of course, we arrived the day (technically the night) before so as to be well rested. Six hours in car after about 9 hours of school doesn’t leave a person well rested. As Friday came around – this was the 18^th – my host brother and I went to see “Lluvia de Hamburguesas” (English title: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) in the afternoon before the big celebration. When we came back, there was a feast of a lunch waiting for us – all forms of meat, drinks, and who-knows-what. Afterwards we all took a quick siesta to recharge. As night came around, we all headed to a huge fiesta to celebrate. There were all forms of food and tons of people – the majority dancing La Cueca (National Dance of Chile). We entered the main attraction which was a giant building packed sardine-tight with sweaty and inebriated people. Many were bumping into one another carefree as they wobbly danced La Cueca to the various Chilean bands playing on stage. I attempted to dance La Cueca with my host cousin . . . but it didn’t turn out too well. When the majority settled down and took a seat to watch as professional dances took the stage to boogie away the national dance, she and I attempted a far simpler common dance in Chile – which I think is simply the easy part of La Cueca. After the little ones were drunk with sleep, we headed back home to catch some well deserved and needed rest.

Once awake after many hours of shut eye, we got ready to watch La Parada Militar (Military Parade). Well, we got ready for another feast and then to watch the parade. In truth, it was rather drawn out and boring. It was interesting . . . but watching people stand around isn’t really much of a sight. I’m glad we didn’t go in person – although, perhaps it would have been more entertaining if we had gone in person? The best part of the weekend was meeting my mom’s sister and mother – both are from Iquique (a gorgeous beach town farther north).

Sunday was the day we headed back. Thankfully we took a plane to La Serena. A trip which would have taken about 8 or more hours in bus ended up being 45 minutes. However, we did have to take a bus to Vallenar which would take 2 hours. Although the ride wasn’t so bad as they were planning “X Men Origins: Wolverine.” Unfortunately my host brother and I didn’t get to see the end. Since my host dad stayed in Santiago due to his health (which seems to be a lot better), my mom called him up to ask my Aunt Eli if she could buy it pirated. It only costs about US$2.70 and everyone does it. Chile is the third worst South American country for pirated . . . well, pirated everything (movies, games, books – although hardly anyone reads – etcetera). We did have a wait between the plane ride and bus.

First we headed to the mall where my host brother didn’t want to eat anything. So we all took a taxi to a Chinese restaurant which wouldn’t open for another 30 minutes. Thankfully there was a Peruvian restaurant across the street which had opened early. The food was amazing. I ate a huge plate of all kinds of seafood. Afterwards we headed back to the bus station and waited for who knows how long. Finally, we all boarded and left.

End of that weekend.

Other than that I haven’t really done much. October began dully and I should have taken the forewarning as my entire month suddenly looked the same as the start. There were plans made and then changed. Getting used to not having complete control over my life has been rather difficult. It is a good change, but a difficult one. I didn’t do much the first week of October, but the second was much more interesting.

Friday we left for Santiago. It was a long ride like always and we stopped in La Serena to catch a bite to eat. There really isn’t much to say about the ride. Later that day, after everyone was well rested, we went to the mall Alto Las Condes. We attempted to get some “legal” movies from a salon . . . but the guy said he wasn’t selling any more. Afterwards we spent some time in the bookstore. Most books cost about US$27-30. That is rather ridiculous in my opinion. I probably would have bought one of the books I had wanted if only they had the first book in the series. Oh well. Saturday was fast approaching.

With Saturday came the marriage. At about 1pm we all headed for Viña del Mar. The wedding was actually in Valparaíso, but the two cities are connected. For a spell, we visited with one of my cousins before the wedding began. After about an hour of talking we headed for the actual wedding. It was very informal and a small affair – only about 20 people. It was great getting to meet the rest of the family and now the new Peruvian addition. After the very quick marriage of the two, waiters filled the room to serve food and drink as we all began various conversations before the actual meal. When the actual meal began, we all took a seat in a very formal dining hall where the conversations became quite a bit louder, probably due to the majority of the adults being a tad tipsy. At the close, we were all invited to dance at the disco tech, but my family and I didn’t go since it was after midnight and we had a little over an hour’s drive back to Santiago. Plus, my little brother had already begun to fall asleep while eating. And so ends the wedding. Nothing much happened on Sunday as all of us were tired. Monday was nearly a 10 hour car ride back to Vallenar . . . so that too was rather dull – even though we got pulled over AGAIN for not having our headlights on while on the freeway. HECK, it is the middle of the flipping day and everything is heavily lit by the sun. Oh well.

Tuesday was spent in preparation for the play the following Monday (tomorrow). I still feel as though we aren’t ready . . . but I can’t do anything about it except worry about my own part. We are performing “El Hombre Desnudo y el Hombre de Frac”. I’m a barrendero (street cleaner) and El Hombre de Frac (Man with Tail Coat). Lots of lines in a foreign language . . . I guess I should have known into what I was getting myself.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent helping little kids learn English. I love teaching them – even if they can be a handful at times. Having ten 9-10 year olds all together in a room full of toys isn’t the best idea. I’m teaching them a question word remembering song to the beat of Jingle Bells that my first Spanish teacher, Señora Tapasa, tought me back in Freshman year: (¿Por qué? Why? / ¿Cómo? How? / ¿Qué? What? / ¿Dónde? Where? / ¿Cuánto? How much? / ¿Cuándo? When? / ¿Quién es? Who is there? / ¿Cuál? Which?). They seem to be enjoying it. Wednesday was also spent at my Aunt’s house here with the newly and happily married couple. They then came over to our house either Thursday or Friday . . . I can’t remember.

This weekend I stayed home and practice my lines, watched some movies, and just relaxed. My uncle, cousin, brother, and I were supposed to have gone hiking today . . . but that got canceled on account of a toppled train. My uncle had to go to work due to it.

I’m going to really try harder to update this thing.