My "unapproved" bucket list for Santiago.

First, I do, in fact, have an "approved" bucket list of things to do before I leave Chile. But it's really not that exciting, and I've crossed out most of the items. However, the following are things I wish I could do, but would be chastised by society in general and/or would get me kicked out of the country.

Katie's Frowned Upon Wish List of Things to Accomplish before Leaving Chile:
1. Knock someone over on a bike.
2. Cut off the lone dreadlocks (or any other bizarre hair growth) on creeping down the necks of ugly boys.
3. Cat call at a man.
4. Curse back at a gypsy.
5. Pull down some midriff T over a protruding belly.
6. Break up PDA sessions with a super soaker.
7. Knock the stack of flyers out of a promoter's hand.
8. Break through a chain of women who are all holding hands, blocking the ENTIRE sidewalk.
9. Hit the book/newspaper/phone out of a slow walker's hands.
10. Tell someone that their underwear is blatantly showing through their pants or shirt or pant/skirt combo.
11. Ask "why???" to a person eating a completo.
12. Blah BEEEEP BEEEP
13. Something else that is more offensive therefore I'm going to keep to myself.
14. I'm trying to think of other things so I don't have to pack.

I LEAVE TOMORROW FOR PERU. POST MORE LATER. MAYBE.

My Magnificent Backpack.

"Skiing" in the Andes.

Alright, day one of my great blog catch-up endeavor.

Grace and I set out on a Gringa Adventure along with one of our friends, Rocio. I had never in my life been skiing. In fact, the most snow that I have ever seen is the meager amounts that fall in Texas on special occasions. At 6 am on a Sunday, the alarm sounded as we rushed around Grace's apartment gathering our things for a day in the Andes. After being suited up at a ski rental, my hopes were high, snuggled in a gigantic jacket and fitted camiseta. However, as we began to ascend higher and higher into the snow capped mountains, my confidence level began to plummet. I started to consider my extreme state of clumsiness and my complete lack of balance, a lethal combination on icy slopes. After arriving to La Parva, cramming our things into an overpriced locker, and orienting ourselves towards the beginner trails, I snapped my skis into place and prepared myself for skiing lessons that Rocio so nicely offered. To describe the following chaos would take too much time and dedication for both me and you my lovely readers. I was a hot mess, spending the next three-four hours falling, crying, and yelling down the Andes mountains. You may think that being thrown from the ski lift twice in a row was embarrassing enough, but I would have to say the breaking point was falling about three times in 15 minutes only to look up and realize that I had made it down about one fourth of the slope. With tears and snot covering the majority of my face, I took off both of my skis and stomped off for the lodge, trying to avoid catching the eye of any cute skiers. I decided to eat my lunch and retire from my skiing career.

Overall, it was an amazing experience that I wouldn't have traded even knowing the treacherous results. I wasn't just falling down, rolling around on, and trudging through any old mountain range. These were the Andes.

Rocio and Grace

La Parva

Aw, exhausted at the end of the day.

Veggie Bouillon and Crema de Veggie

My days south of the equator are getting cold. And winter is on its way. I look around the gray city and see so many already bundled up in down coats, fluffy scarves, and wooly hats. I feel a little silly with my thin leggings and sweater cardigans, but I'm sure the cold will sink into this Texas girl's bones all too soon. Jealousy creeps in my heart when I look through facebook photos of spring and see a sun that is unadulterated by the thick cloud of smog (see photo below). And thus ends my complaining about the absence of Texan comfort.

Six weeks ago I began classes with a top bank executive. He takes five hours of English class five days a week. Yes. You read that correctly. I teach him five days a week for an hour and a half. In two weeks, he's preparing the head up the Banco Estado in New York City. Intimidating, right? As soon as I heard, that I would be sharing class with him, I immediately felt even more self-consicious than I usually do. However, to my great surprise, instead of a ruthless, cold businessman criticizing my every move, I found a kind, confident man moving himself as well as his family from the comfort of his home in Chile to the busy streets of New York City. Every class is filled with an elaborate explanation of Chilean history and politics with a colorful opinion poised somewhere along the way. I clutched my sides in laughter the first week in class when he asked me if there would be more violence in schools with a higher Asian demographic since they know karate like in films. Yesterday, he told me it is sometimes difficult for him to believe that I am not Chilean since I have sense of humor and am not so serious and rigid. I can only assume that he perceives US Americans as boring. Phew! I'm glad I don't fall into that category! Even though I will be genuinely sad to see him leave, I wish him and his family the best in New York. Leaving the US when I'm 24 and single to teach my native language can never compared to the trials his family is about to endure. 

Since my wonderful Slovakian roommate is leaving next week for travels and then home, I've tagged along on her last minute explorations. 

Isla Negra

Isla Negra is the location of one of Pablo Neruda's three houses and his final resting place. I can't explain to you the exhilaration of breathing fresh, clear air from the sea after weeks in midst of Santiago's pollution.

Smog of Santiago

We ventured up Cerro San Cristobal which should be restricted to a summer activity. Keep in mind that this is a nice day. Can you believe I have black snot?

Cerro San Cristobal

This would be the Virgin on top of the hill. Pope John Paul II held mass at the base of this monument in 1987.

Pan y palta

The best of food for a trip down the hill. Probably one of the best dishes in Chile! Bread and avocado.

El Cementario General. 

This bizarre cemetery had rows upon rows of these above ground graves. Literally, rows and rows.

El Cementerio General

El Cementario General

This should be the final resting place of Salvador Allende. Pinochet originally had him unceremoniously buried in a cemetery in Viña del Mar instead of beside the other Chilean presidents. However, after President Patricio Aylwin assumed office he had Allende's remains moved to the General Cemetery in Santiago. So much controversy revolves around his death and even burial, no wonder so many Chileans are conspiratorists. Unbeknownst to Kristina and I, Allende's remains were exhumed on May 23rd for further investigation on the events on September 11, 1973. What a wonderfully tabooed topic to discuss with my favorite student. We even were able to watch videos on Youtube of the bombing of La Moneda.

Thank you for reading through this obnoxiously long post. I will attempt to update more frequent in the future.

Deodorant and wine.

Two very essential things to have when living in Santiago and the entirety of my grocery store purchase en route to Grace's apartment.

Alright, I've been horrible at blogging. I understand this entirely. I haven't had a lack of inspiration or a lack of gringa stories. I simply haven't wanted to take the time to post properly. And if you know me at all, then you also realize that I'm a HUGE procrastinator. Without further ado, I'll try to hit all the major updates over the past few weeks.

Valparaiso 
After a few piscolas my partner in crime, Grace, and I decided that our weekend would not be complete without a trip to the port city of Valpo. Okay, a little piece of advice. DON'T HAVE PISCO PLANNING PARTIES. They usually result in the absence "planning." The next morning, we groggily climbed onto a bus headed towards the sea. We stumbled around the town until we found a less than satisfying hostel and a greasy meal and then preceded to explore the hills and graffiti of the surrounding city. It was fascinating.

And so we deemed this trip "gringa winning"

NERD!

View from Pablo Neruda's house

Easter/Pascua
I set out on a mission to find a Catholic mass to attend Easter morning. I'm in Chile; so that wasn't difficult. It was a nice service that consisted of some Easter message in Spanish obviously. So basically, I focused on watching the woman beside me, standing when she stood and kneeling when she knelt. Earlier that week, I was blessed by a priest. Which according Texan Southern Baptists probably means I'm going straight to the devil's place. I was sitting in the cathedral in Plaza de Armas observing what I imagined was a Semana Santa mass. After the completion of the mass, most of the congregation went forward for a blessing from the priest. And I, being a curious gringa, watched silently from the side. Until I saw, an older woman staring at me. At this point, I should have started walking away because this usually means I'm about to be asked for directions (which is a whole other issue in itself). But I reassured myself that everything was fine, and I would just respond with the normal "Lo siento, no se nada" or "uh, GRINGA." Well, this woman did in fact approach me, asked me if I wanted a blessing, and then proceeded to drag me to the line in front of the priest. She left me there and then watched in the safety of my previously occupied space on the side of the church. Mortified, I stood in the ever shortening line. When it was finally my turn, I uttered a quick "hola" and then an even quieter "gracias" after my encounter with the priest was over. I survived. His hands didn't burn my forehead, and I wasn't asked for prayers to Mary. I left the church a little holier...

The Place of the Blessing.

We had a beautiful Easter meal with a couple of friends. Afterwards we decorated Easter eggs and then rolled them down a Cerro Santa Lucia attracting much attention from the locals. I think we were endearing, though.

Other Easter Celebrations

Hipster bunny after a few calimochos (wine and coke- trust me- uhmazing)

Mendoza
When one enters Chile, you are given a 90 day tourist visa. So, as I'm waiting for details of my temporary residential visa to come together, I have a tourist visa. In order to extend my visa, I can do one of two things: pay $140 after applying two weeks before my visa expires or make a trip to Mendoza, Argentina. Remember what I previously confessed? I'm a huge procrastinator. So naturally, I waited until the last second to leave for Mendoza (since it was WAY past the time for applying for the extension). I booked the bus ticket for Sunday morning. I would take the 7 hour bus ride, spend the afternoon in Argentina's wine capitol, and then take an overnight bus back to Santiago in order to attend a teaching workshop at 10:30 the next morning. Well, well, well. For some reason, I decided to accompany some friends to the infamous Blondie's club Saturday night. After few Escudos, some dancing, number exchanging, three in the morning came sooner than expected. After the taxi ride home, I crashed on my bed and woke up to the bright sun pouring through my window. My bus left one hour previously. I ran (or rather took the metro) to the bus station and purchased a ticket leaving at 1:40 that afternoon. In the end, I spent a grand total of two hours in Mendoza. Not to mention, I almost missed my second bus since I misread the time on the ticket. I had assumed that I would be sleeping on the way back; however, the flashing camera, the chorus of snores, and the conversationalist beside me prevented that. Despite the longevity of my suffering, the trip resulted in another legal three months in Chile.

In closing

• It's getting cold here.
• I've purchased a coat and boots, and I'm searching for cozy leggings tomorrow.
• My students are fun! And they like me.
• It's amazing what constant walking and eating veggies will do for your body.
• I habitually get asked for directions when I'm walking around the city by Chileans young and old. I look like a gringa and clueless. 
• My cooking is getting better, since it's way cheaper to eat in than go out.
• I can't stop smiling when I think of where I am. 
• I have about 6 voicemails on my cellphone because I don't know how to check it.

I love and miss everyone from Texas. Don't forget about me. Come visit me. You may not want to go home.

Rounding up a Routine/ Sunday's Summary #1

If you would have inquired of me six months ago on the subject of blogging, I would have quickly shot back a cynical answer resulting in a gigantic "NO" and "I HATE THEM!" Maybe I was thinking of the infamous "xangas" (haha- oh high school memories) or maybe I had just read some lengthy blogs of why everything sucks. I honestly don't know. Becaaauuusee... over these last six months, I have quite stumbled into some remarkable, bloggerlicious literature! Although I'm still paddling my way through the millions and billions and trillions of blogs, I've read some great posts and seen some great photos. So here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who contributes to the endless blogosphere. And let me say that me being a big time blogger and such (oh, sarcasm), I seriously heart my three little followers (not sarcasm).

Blog Update: In order to achieve order, I'm attempting to fall into routine postings certain days of the week. Aside from the (probably boring) exceptions, everyone likes photos including me so I'm going to do my best to post more especially when I'm reveling around Argentina and Chile. Ultimately, I would do this even if I knew no one read my little blog. I've really found comfort in typing out posts for my own therapy and "creative" outlet. I'm using "creative" in a very, very loose sense. haha!

Chile Update: Hostels are booked. TEFL deposit is paid. Grammar work sheets are being completed.  Spanish is being studied. Trip is being planned. Phew! Less than two months away. I've been making this hardcore to-do list that is almost two pages long, but I've been fairly active in scratching off duties.

Things I'm bringing (actually, I'm hoping I receive for Christmas via the parents):

For carrying stuff; for reading in ENGLISH; for walking/hiking/trekking

Life Update: Everything is great over on this side of the computer screen. I'm about to have a panic attack over the placement of my kitty, but I have peace that it will work out. Sad announcement: no half-marathon. In the near future, I will complete one! Aaaaah, Thanksgiving, how I love this holiday! I celebrated twice this year: once with family, and again with friends. It's weird to think that this could be my last Thanksgiving for a while. I made a conscious effort to dress for fall!

Finally finished the cowl!

Thanks for reading per usual- Let me know if you have any suggestions for routine posts!  A beautiful friend of mine mentioned I should do "meatless Mondays." I like that one a lot!