4/11/12

It has been far too long, so much has happened so i think ill start sorry to all those that do actually read my stories.

Last I left off it was just before the holiday, September 18, which is like the fourth of July back home, but goes on for a whole week. I went with Rafi to Valparaiso for the first weekend where we partied at a punk club, where I met an awesome biker gang. Ate at a great place called El Pinton, it was like a rock grunge style restaurant, that had great artisanal beer and I got chorrillana. Chorrillana is fried potatoes with a type of sour krout, beef, and onions on top with a delicious sweet sauce underneath. Also the graffiti in Valpo was great, amazing detail and often actual art on the street. After Selena and Lena meet us for a day then we traveled to La Serena, a city to the north with amazing beaches and La Pampapilla although the Pampapilla is in the neighboring city Coquimbo. We got lucky and stayed with a family and I made two great friends, Miguel and Rodrigo, who were kind enough to let us stay with them and Tati, their grandmother for nearly a week for free. I went to an asado with them to their families farm ate what was a lamb over a fire for a few hours, which was amazing. Just check the pic of Rodrigo and me. The Pampapilla is a festival that goes on for an entire week and is known as the biggest in all of Chile for the Celebration of deciocho. It cost less than $2 to enter and there are concerts, venders of every sort, carnival rides, food, booze, dancing, and camping on the hill for those that do not wish to leave. Then also in Coquimbo is the largest cross in all of South America, and I mean huge. So big that you take an elevator to the arms of the cross and can walk across and see all of La Serena and Coquimbo. We thanked our great host and left for home a day before school would start back up to make sure we could recharge our batteries before the work begins. The results from my certamins were great passed them all easily, what can I say I’m the juice, and studying was back to usual. But I’m not on here to bore you with school so the next trip Selena, Lena, Rafi, and myself embarked on was to Mendoza, Argentina, a 5 hour bus ride through the Andes to a town not far inside Argentina. Compared to Santiago it was very small and life was slow and easy. I enjoyed the lifestyle, shops open later close earlier, and going out was seen as a common event that was partaken by all. Also the beef of Argentina was great along with a decent domestic flavor of Argentina whisky and wine. But my favorite part was, yes more food, the tenador libre (free fork) which was a buffet of many different meats being cooked right there with so many different sides and deserts. Just like a little piece of heaven, with a bottle of wine of course.  And one more piece of advice about Argentina, they have a liquor called fernet, which I have had one time before with my friend Pete in Long Beach, and decided to try in Argentina thinking that here it would be better. It was not it taste like shoe polish smells avoid at all cost.

There was also a trip to a pueblito called Algarrobo, which is just south of Valpo. I stayed with some Chilean friends in cabin on the beach; we made an asado, went to a carrete on the beach in the middle of the night (just amazing), went to the Pulparty (poolparty that’s just how they spelled it) in Vina de Mar, and spent hours on the beautiful beach (pic on display of the beach). The natural beauty I can highly recommend to any that have a chance.

Lastly Halloween, which is a relatively new holiday here in Chile, they celebrate dia de los muertos (day of the dead) instead. But unlike the US dia de los muertos is a national holiday so the day after Halloween everyone has off, which is an amazing idea by the way we need to adopt this back home. But my friends and I went to a underground type club, which was in a gymnasium by the way, and danced drank and were marry. It was the after party that involved craziness, a shirt being turned into multiple head bands, a broken sink, and no sleep. On the sink note I want to say thank you to the most great family that I live with for being the marvelous people who they are J.  Want to see more facebook me otherwise, Good times until next time.

And this lesion of is: any chance that swings your way take it, you just never know where it's leading you.

# 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.” 

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......

#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!!! 

#8 24/8/2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmvM51QkkCk
End of the second week of classes and there have been schedule changes.  My last two Friday classes were dropped because of low enrollment so I had to change them.  I enrolled in history of Latin American art, very snazzy, and then there is Organizational Development.  The latter deals with how to handle a business in times of adjustment, or if the case, in times when a steady need to stay the course is needed.  I feel it could be helpful in the future for any work that i would be looking for in any nonprofit or other business sectors that work with crossing boarders.  The business and rapid changing economic environment due to communication could make a course like then an asset. So no more Friday class just more time to enjoy the beautiful world that is Santiago Chile.  This week I received my finical aid, thank Jebus, so I used it to pay rent hahaha.  the only real eventful item was another friends birthday (happy b day Selina) so we got together with the people drank pisco danced, when thriller and Elvis came on that radio I tore shit up, but ended when some dude brought out a guitar and stared playing.....  yeah there was one of those guys.  and the great thing about class today is i learned a awesome Chilean folk song that will no doubly be sung on their day of independence (September 18th).  I have attached a link that a youtube clip at the top to check out its called si vas para Chile (if you go to Chile).  Cool song I dig it. Tonight was also great went salsa dancing, well took lessons, and it was awesome. Think Ill go for a few weeks get damn good at the hip motion, plus it looks cool.  After just went to have a few beers with Raf, hit a cool bar that plays live music. Band was solid Spanish rock, danced at some gathering of students outside an university with some guys just jamming on the drums. There was like 200 people there just dancing some wasted Chilean dude grabbed me and stated doing some jig hahaha. Also other big news got a water heater, ooo how I missed warm showers.  New food well nothing too interesting this week.  Some empanadas which were great, had beef egg and olive inside.  But all in all great week and comments or concerns please leave a message.
Things to know: we are not in America any more you will lose wight I have been here a month and lost 15 pounds, I;m withering away. And why you ask? No finical aid made it so I could not buy beer I blame the terrible finical crisis for my misfortunes, so love you hamburgers and ice cold ones; its miller time

#7 17/8/2012

Well the first week of full classes has come to an end. My schedule is free Monday, dropped my script writing class. Tuesday and Thursday is Globalization and its Impact, a fun course that explores the concepts and will also have us creating an assembly meeting for issues and situating a international type of caucus.  After that we will be my Spanish Language and Cultural class, got a great teacher who is bar far one of the most helpful teachers in Spanish I have ever had.  He is great at teaching the formal use, but knows that there is slang out there and always welcomes all questions and give great explanation with the of the use street talk. Friday (yes I have 2 Friday classes) starts with contemporary history of Chile class which I find absolutely fascinating, how the country has gone through its difficulties which I have already learned a few and taken in a lot of information about its cultural background as well.  Side note though it seems that my professor came from a very well off family, backing up to several generations, so his views may be different on some subjects dealing with the history of poverty and what it may have truly been like for those who suffered. Then finally its my international organization class where we discuss issues relating to IO, NGO, etc.
Classes over all are very interesting and I am enthused.  Other news is my roommate is moving out, bummer, his name is Felipe he's cool peoples graduated from engineering at a local university and just lives a chill life.  Hes leaving to go backpacking in the Southern part of Chile. The area is known for its beautiful mountains and Forrest that have been well persevered since the era of the dinosaurs.  There is some huge specie of tree that has been around since the era of the great lizards.  Cool shit for him so tonight we celebrate him leaving, also the father of the family that I am renting from is having his birthday tomorrow so another reason to party tonight hahaha.Good news I'll get my finical aid in a week.  Bad news Ill get my financial aid in a week, so as a note to any future students thinking about going here or reading this as you have already applied to school here, it starts 3 weeks early before you get aid. YOU WILL BE BROKE!! I put an add on craigslist to try and tutor English.  Finally, I knew my natural skill as an American would come in handy as we speak the language everyone else wants to know. Regular price is usually 5,000 pesos a hour ($10) if I get a gig.
Also this week was my friend Lisa's birthday (Happy Birthday Lisa) so Raphael and I cooked them some good ol American cheeseburgers and fried up some papas. Thats potatoes for all my none speaking Spanish readers.  But the meat was a odd quality so I will not be using the "jumbo" brand patties anymore.  Then there was lots of wine to close out the night.  Tuesday was also an interesting night, rolled with my five German chick posse ( we roll deep) and went to a Chilean house party.  Lots of good people, tons of pisco, managed to drink some whiskey too, and it was a sweet ass house. It was huge 2 stories place based in Los Condes (with the ricos), phat pool in the back, and HALF A SMALL SOCCER FIELD!
 Got a few photos to add up but that pretty much the wrap of it. It rained almost the whole week but tomorrow is gonna be a nice day, I might even get to wear shorts :). Also ate at Papa Johns and they had no lil packets of Parmesan or red pepper. OUTRAGIOUS!!! They saved it by offering extra garlic dip and pepperchinies

#6 11/8/2012

OK I'll keep it short and sweet.  Moved into my new place today address is: brown norte 1328, providencia , chile.  That's for all my stalkers out there, you know who you are ;). Other then that I need to thank my two awesome friends I have made here, Raphael and Lisa, who helped my get all my crap here much better then the last move.  As a promise I said I would cook some time this week for them so its tacos and homemade guac. Ima show them whats up with the LA/Mex. food style.  Also today the family that is renting to me invited me for dinner which was AMAZING!!!  It was pollo dulce (sweet chicken), mashed potatoes (not American style though more simpler), and sweet yams fine cut.  Then dessert was an oat fruit mix followed by a custard pie with raspberries on top. Yea all that goodness happened it was great.  There's a pic of the room bigger then it looks. Goodnight all I will keep you posted. wait roommate just got home...so we drink vodka :)

#5 9/8/2012

Well if I had describe this week so far its like a turd with a silver lining.  Everything happens for a reason and advice to anyone leaving to live abroad always remember: dont panic.

So to start it all off school in the beginning was a slight disaster on Monday.  I got to class 2 hours late because I was not told there was another campus for our university.  But on my behalf none of the other exchange students knew that there was another campus either.  I was lucky that the class I was taking was 3 hours long so I got the last hour and it was great, the professor was a very nice guy helpful and articulate.  Its my theater class all in Spanish, I took it because I figure it will be great practice for my speech. The next 3 days I have not had class because these classes do not start until next week so been a bit of free time.  Yesterday was a bit rougher then the rest though.

So let me give the backdrop first.  I spoke with my landlord to allow me to prorate the room I was in for a week until I receive my finical aid.  Yesterday morning a guy knocks on my door telling me that the room I was staying in was rented out to someone else and that I have to leave.....like now.  We call the landlord and he says that this is right and I have to leave.  So I pack all my shit, I have a acquired a few more things now like a few sheets, pillows, and a clothes hamper.  But the kicker was that I had just bought groceries the day before, hell i didn't know I was gonna get kicked out.  And I'm not going to leave my food for those assholes I'm low on funds as it was.  I managed to book the cheapest hostel I could find which was about 3 miles away.  So with all my belongings I walk too damn proud for a taxi...and broke, did I mention that this is the hottest day since I been here? Its like a regular day back home, son of a bitch.  I'm in jeans, doc martins, and my giant leather Morpheus look alike take the red pill jacket; I'm wearing these things to save room in my luggage you see.  So I walk 3 miles with a backpack on, luggage, clothes hamper full of dirty clothes, grocery bag, and bag of blankets.  I'm sure I looked like a hobo of sorts sweating, wearing random clothes, and swearing in my strange foreign language to myself.  Funny though :)  After this death march I inflict upon myself, after the handle breaks on the bag of blankets and a hole rips in the groceries,  I can rest shower and have my laundry done here.  Very good but the best part was... wait for it..... I got to wear shorts for the first time here.  OOOOO HOW LIBERATING!!!!!  I miss my comfortable clothes its been jeans all day and long johns, just no air space.  Took a walk to the north side of the city got some more cool pics, I'll post them, then came back.

Day is not over yet, I talk to Christian, hes like a student relation guy here for exchange students very helpful guy, and he sets me up to check out a place in providencia.  The nice part of town and I meet two ladies that take me to the room for rent and after about an hour I got a place to live. Awesome? I think so.  So I move in tomorrow sweet.
So the advice: don't panic, o yes I need to say I LOVE MY MOM!! with out her this would not be possible.  So also love your momma

last point cant forget about food I gave in and had a curto de libre con queso (quater pounder with cheese from McD's) and shit it was like 5 minutes of heaven I miss hamburgers :')

#4 5/8/2012

Sunday funday. yesterday was great took a hike up the virgin statue on cerro (hill) in the middle of the city awesome view.  posted a few pics from walk on Facebook, took about nearly 2 hours.  but had my orientation this week, schools about an hour away from where I'm staying and my first class is Monday at 830 am.  means rush hour traffic on the metro an its like being a sardine in a can.  Roommate moved back to the states so i got my place alone for now but I'm trying to get the one next to this, it has windows and hay I'm a sucker for sunshine.  Got a prepaid phone now too so I can text pretty much calling is to expensive haha.  This week also had orientation for school seems promising nice campus, the Spanish teacher seems really cool.  Unfortunately I missed the second day of orientation, overslept, and missed the wine tasting, bummer but just means I gotta make a trip of it on my own.  Went out with my new German friend Raphael Friday, we were supposed to go to some club that a lot of the other students were going to.  We could not get in got too packed so we went to the bar next door, bought a beer and shot there.  Also a fellow was staring at us, named Bruno, who tried to sell us some weed hahaha reminds me of the only other Bruno I meet from Long Beach.  We declined and went to the next spot a cool semi revolution themed bar(pics of Che and other Latin American revolutionaries such as Marcos) with live music.  Had a Stella there chilled and walked on to the next one which was an Irish pub of all things.  By now the predrinking and bars have caught up to me so i get a Jamison and Guinness and some fries, by now Raphael is toast he needs food so I finish up and we wonder around looking for a completo stand.  If unsure what a completo is please refer to an earlier entry. We were standing in line for food and Raphael looks at me and says in his German accent "I am now going to vomit,"  hahahaha he yakes in tree outside then comes back in I get him some grub and we destroy the completos, drunk munchie style.  Then some how all buzzed we managed to find his apartment, it was far closer then mine.  Yea a crashed on the couch and then hiked Saturday.
 The pics as all more then I could for the hike, it was a good day only cold when we were on the east side of mountain because the lack of sun. The fun part was coming down, going up we used the road, but down took the forest trail and ran it.  Then passed out there was a costume party past night but i was dead, plus money ehhhh.  so today i think ill make some pasta.
This journal lesson:  Clubs are the same here overpriced, over packed, and guys still pay and girls don't, but that doesn't mean you allowed to drink in the street.

#3 1/7/2012

well shit wen to my actual campus today very Gothic like, lots of concrete.  but i trusted the transantiago to lead me there, very bad choice. i mean i go there to the comuna Los Condes in a good time but then i hiked up two miles of road to the university.  and holy shit the school is nothing like Santiago at all.  for all those that know where i from la orange county area its like going from down town LA to the hills of Tustin.  A) once you leave the city the public transportation sucks B) there are rich WHITE people every where C) everything is spread out with the god damn hills. it was colder then shit in the hills but i was sweating like a pig in heat.  and the track home ooooo Jesus no uniqueness.. i like the intercity Santiago, it may be dirty, tagged up, and unpleasant at times but it feels so right to me. ill take my hour commute and love the intercity thank you.   side note i just put a bunch of hate on chik a fila site MUWHAHAHAHA and all those unamericans who post there that wanna tell others how to live their lives... OK so America is about freedom right? and when did telling someone how to live their lives and infringe on their freedom become American?  yea its not fuck off gay hate.. ok back to story oo food OK lets talk business i found a new drink im bringing back to the states and i need to log it so i don't forget it called a terrasoto it sweet white wine (miscatto will do) with a flavored liquor (pineapple or orange) and a scoop of pineapple ice cream. filthy jesus that shit got me fuked after two the food was OK but that drink was amazing ALLLLLL DAYYYY!!! yes and finally tomorrow i mail my visa business and hopfully get it in 20 days it is well.. side not got a prepaid phone, address for the next 2-3 weeks is: Gay 2181, Santiago, Chile (yes i know the street name) and its my own on Saturday when i have my welcoming party
today's lesson about Chile: Music is a huge part of life there are people playing instruments all the time all day, but DON'T TIP THE ASSHOLES PLAYING GUITAR BEHIND YOU THEM FUCKERS WONT LEAVE!!

#2 30/7/2012

Monday and events keep changing.  Made a cool friend, Lucien, a pro skier from Colorado that was stopping on his way to Peru shooting a ski documentary.  We chilled a few days drank some beers ate the Chilean version of hot dogs (dog on a baguette with sourkrout, pickled carrots, mayo, tomatoes, and aji) so damn good.  Went to the Castle Hildago, which was the home of the first governor of Chile very cool.  Also a few days ago I ate a Peruvian restaurant, had carne with onions and tomatoes, rice, and fries. Of course a beer, which was from Spain, too it was my night out to treat to myself.  Saturday night was very fun though ended up staying up all night with the locals at the hostel ( guy from Colombia, dude from Spain, two chicks from Mexico, and another dude from Chile) it was my introduction to the drink of pisco, sort of like sweet tequila, and beers of course. Spent time talking, practicing my Spanish, asking questions of each other, and the dude from Chile played the guitar for a while he was pretty good.  Then Sunday funday went shopping the dude from Spain, Fernando, showed Lucien and me how to go shopping right. See he owns a clothing store in Spain so he knows the tricks, we walked up and Lucien found a sweater he liked. Fernando ripped the tag off and asked the cashier how much.  She just looked and said a price below the posted price.  Fernando said good but told us not yet.  We walked up to another cashier and he asked the same question, and she said an even lower price.  Lucien bought the sweater from half it worth, WINNING! Then we went out and in the swap meet kind of area had a real taste of Chilean food.  It was a soup with chicken, corn(still on the cobb), carrots, peas, cilantro, a sweet potato, and a regular potatoes all slow cooked. Amazing! After that it was siesta time.  See nearly everything was closed on Sunday so we picked up a few beers sipped a bit and napped.  Well that leads me to today, it has been a changing one.  Lucien took off to Peru and I met a new cat, Brentt, an exchange student from Virgina that goes to the Catholic University here, at a cafe with Lucien. Then my favorite so far DRANK A REAL CUP OF COFFEE!!! They don't drink coffee here, mostly tea and they use this powder crap for instant coffee and it taste like crap.  There was also a job offer for me to be a teacher for an English conversational class, but I had to decline because my school schedule will not allow it, but I may look into tutoring just for extra cash there is a demand here.  Also i made a friend who works at the hostel who has been kind enough to let me crash at their pad to save money. It was costing me $18 dollars a night, tooo much! So I am here now for free chilling, literally it freezing.  Well i will see where it takes me I got a few days here then find a place closer to school it will be nice. Until next time a word of advice: DON'T SNORT PISCO WITH THE SKI PATROL!

#1 26/7/2012

Leaving for Santiago only felt like one thing I have ever experienced before.  When I was younger my family, friends, and I took trips to the river and there was this train bridge that we would climb to the bottom of and jump into the water.  It was about 30 feet high but when your younger it can feel like the empire state building.  My first time I jumped I was so scared and nervous it took me 30 minutes to finally jump off.  The whole time my friends and family were cheering me on and telling me to hurry up and jump. But just like the first second when I jumped off the bridge I knew that in this there was no just rewinding and going back. When the plane left LAX the excitement hit and so did the fear and nervousness, but there is always uncertainty with any adventure.

What else about my first day has stood out you ask? Well my luggage did not leave Miami, so no new clothes for two days (yes I do smell) but I finally got to shower and ooooo best 5 minutes of my life, then the water went icy and it became the worst 30 seconds. Figuring out how to get around has been a challenge I seem to be unable to find most of the street signs.  What has been my favorite observation is that it seems to be the that 80’s never died it just traveled south taking its hairstyles and clothes with it. Very entertaining at times :).  For my first Chilean meal, because I have to mention food at some time on here, was a double cheeseburger, fries, and a sprite at a place called Mas-Beef hahahaha.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring a better story, and my toothbrush :)