sábado, 15 de septiembre de 2012

# 10 15/09/2012



Well been a week or so, had some troubles with gmail got locked out and had to go through hoops to get back but made it work. This past week has been fun, but full of midterms. So any one who thought that I’m not studying enough BOOM I make it happen. Felt good about them but I’ll find out after this week what I got. But more on the now, this week is Fiesta Patrias, here in Chile, which means the whole country parties and celebrates the independence of Chile.  There will be many Fondas, which are like fairs/carnivals, which have tons of food, dancing, music, games, and just all the good things that Chileans celebrate about their heritage.  I will be heading to Valpariso, city on the coast, with some friends then heading up north to Colqimbo, which is another city on the coast, but known for its great celebrations during the week of deciocho (18). Hoping to get some surf in if possible, and then if time allows in the week I would like to head south of Santiago to Donihue, a small city known for its rich heritage.  There hopefully I’ll be able to go to a rodeo and pick up a manta. The manta is similar to the pancho, but smaller and worn by huasos, Chilean cowboys, during rodeos and folk dances. Donihue is a town known for having excellent quality and make them by hand.  There will be lots of pictures after and hopefully great stories to go with them. Also enjoy the video I took of a little local fonda :)

Lesson: not always ok to refer to self as an American, because people from South America may take offense. Why uhhh, well they are Americans too, and they are, but they don’t quite get that’s its just easier for people from USA to say “American,” instead of “citizen from the United States of America.” 

lunes, 3 de septiembre de 2012

RANT

There is one thing I hate doing every week. Can you guess what it is? Not sure? It's going to the damn super market, the one place I should love the most. It has every thing I love from beer to meat and all the dairy products in between.  But every time I go there is the moment I dread, and its at the check out line.  When its finally my turn go get rang up every single week the cashier asks me some new question plus the ones from last week, which should not be a problem, but damn it I can never understand what the hell they are saying. I mean I speak English and Spanish, hell one I have been doing my whole life and the other I have 4 years of proficiency in; check the grades. They talk too fast in another language called Chilean. It is a mix of Spanish, German, and Italian I think because it make no fucking sense I can only get about two words out of the whole phrase.  Then I say "no entiendo(I don't understand)" so they repeat it again, and again I say I don't get it.  Till eventually I shake my head and look them in the eyes and say (in English) " I don't know what you want??" You would think that after they see my face the first time they ask the question and I got the look of "dumb gringo" painted on they would let go. Fine give my change to the poor or buy a pack of smokes for youself, I mean just let me buy my beer, hot dogs, and cheese and get out, Jesus Christmas! What happened to "Hello. How is you day? Do you have a Ralph's card?" end......

sábado, 1 de septiembre de 2012

#9 1/9/12

Another week gone by and what an adventure.  This week school was fun, I have midterms in two weeks so I gotta prepare.  Also did a presentation for organizational development, had to make a proposal and pitch it.  Yea I nailed, with the help of Rafi.  Most of the complements though were on how awesome my voice sounded, very deep and business like.  Went out Wednesday to a friends party had a great time meeting new people, but its very unique to go to parties and be the only "American." Also ate some great new food call befe por la pobre (meat for the poor), basically its fries covered in grilled onions, two fried eggs, and a skirt stake.  For my hang over it was magical all the greasy goodness. But the highlight of this week was snowboarding in the Andes.  Yes cross that off the bucket list BOOM! Great conditions it snowed a lot last week so lots of great powder.  Plus the price was amazing for $60 I got the bus ride there, the rentals, lift ticket, and lunch.  Posted lots of pics on facebook also.  And no Monday, labor day, is not a holiday here.  But the 18th is their independence day and I get a whole week off of school, think I wanna hit the beach.  It has been warming up here, the weather has gotten much better lots of sun now.
Lesson: Wear sunscreen that hole in the ozone is no joke, I look like a mix between a tomato and a raccoon from yesterday.
And football season is here!!! GO RAIDERS!!!