Blogs from Valparaíso Region, Chile, South America - page 80

Renacca is a neighboring town that is still considered to be Vina. I have gone there several times already and in fact experienced my first strong earthquake on this beach. Something I new that Chile was known for but was not informed about how often it happens. I have to admit I have been crazily excited to feel each earthquake that occurs. Call me crazy, but it was so exciting. I will never forget my first frantic phone call from Sara asking me if we had just had an earthquake. I was so bummed because I missed it because I happened to be out on the street. She is such an awesome girl and a great friend to have here in Chile. She and I have bonded since our first day of class. She's a Jersey ... read more

I thought I´d be spending my time in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar kicking back on the beach getting some sun but it is actually colder here than it was in Santiago...and not nearly as clean. Valparaiso is an old fishing village with stray cats and dogs at your heels every step of the way. I thought it was going to be similar to the Italian Riviera but it is more like parts of Mexico, with bright houses stacked upon houses built into the side of hills that drop into the ocean (unfortunately ports and docks instead of beaches). The roads and layout of the city doesn´t really make sense and (from experience) one wrong turn will get you lost and out of breath in no time climbing up the hills. Luckily I met some good ... read more

So how was my first day of classes here in Chile.....GREAT seeing as how they were all cancelled!!!! i dont even know why..i showed up for my first class..a history one and it was cancelled. I asked a chilean student and they said that all classes were cancelled. So really I´m off to a great start. One of my friends has an ex-exchange student at her house and she told us today that classes probably wouldnt realy start for another two weeks or so. The once april gets going apparently school is scarce as students are always striking.....I love it!!! Tomorrow we are all leaving for Pucon and come back on sunday. During our time there we are going to the hot springs, going to the top of the volcano, white-water rafting, and visiting a Mapuche ... read more

Hola Amigos Here's the next update: If you are into mullets, you´d love it down here - i´d say at least 30% of the population has a mullet - and half of them are really greasy. The 30% doesn´t include the 10% who have rat-tails. Yes, rat tails. I thought they disappeared in the 80´s, but not here. I´ve even seen a few people with multiple rat-tails. Come to think of it, there entire culture is stuck in the 80´s. I´ve heard more Michael Jackson in the past 3 weeks than I have in my entire life. Other popular groups include: Culture Club, Elvis, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Queen, old school Madonna. 80´s music blares on the buses, the bars, the dance clubs, just about everywhere. I found an apartment yesterday. There was a teacher at ... read more

For part of Independence Day vacation Carlos and I went to Mendoza, Argentina...again. This is my 3rd trip, Carlos´2nd. Mendoza is such a nice, clean, calm, friendly place to visit. It´s cheap and the food is great! So we figured why not. This blog has photos of the HUGE park, the zoo and the crossing back into Chile! It was very cold and long.... read more