First Days in Las Ventanas

---

We left our hostel in Santiago at 6 am not knowing what we would find in Vina del Mar when we arrived. We knew our regional coordinator was supposed to meet us at the bus station but we had never seen or even talked to this Monica person. We arrived around 9 am and at first saw no one there to meet us. Just as we were getting nervous Monica arrived with besos for each of us. We were taken to a Ministry of Education building still not knowing what to expect and found a large group of people waiting for us. Having had no sleep and just getting off of a bus we were presented in a welcoming ceremony with our host parents and our host teachers. What a relief to meet Bernardo and Maria! The greatest host parents I could ask for. They are my own parents age, with 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren. They have hosted volunteers twice before so are aware of some cultural differences we might have. And, to our suprise, Jeremy and I are now siblings. We each have our own rooms in the house and it is working out wonderfully since Jeremy speaks Spanish already.

We liv in a tiny town on the coast named Las Ventanas named after the rock formation on the beach that is a window to the ocean. I will be teaching at CESA de Las Ventanas and Jeremy is teaching in a neighboring town at Liceo Quintero. It will be interesting a hard but we are looking forward to start what we came here to do in the first place.

---

Photos

Horcon
Neighboring Fishing Village

The Fam
Notice Papa representing for Dunedin, FL!

Comments

[Michelle Laux]

Your host parents look great!! Im sure you are so relieved!! I am so happy that you are safe and enjoying everything. Cant wait to watch you through this travel! We love you!!