Just living in Chile, with some wine

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I'd give an update of what has been going on. And really not too much has been going on. School has continued to get harder over the last few weeks with more essays, but over all it is still going well. Last weekend however me and a few friends went to a wine fest in Casablanca (yes there is one outside of morocco). And it was great, one we got to drink wine all day, but two I actually learned about wines and their differences. If anyone is curious I'm now a white wine fine. It was a lot of fun aside from the wine as well though, there was music and lots of food (mainly empanadas). Other than that event I haven't done anything too exciting if you will, mainly just days at the beach while there still is sun and trying to find the cheap bars as typical college students do. However I did get some good excise the other weekend as I walked with my host mom all the way to renaca (about 7 miles round trip). It was a lot of fun and a great way to see more of the surronding areas. The other big announcement to be made is: I've decided to stay for a year here in Chile! But don't worry I'm still coming back for some time in the summer. I've decided that I truly want to master the Spanish language and learn a new culture, and there isn't a better way to do it other than actually living here. I haven't thought of a Chilean name for myself though so if anyone has suggestions let me know. Other than those occurrences not much to report. This weekend has been relaxed and I got to see my brother play in a bar here which was great even though it started at 2:30am! And today I plan on doing some homework actually (surprise). But I'll try and make an effort to post more, but I figured I'd wait until I had things to actually talk about for this post.

As always nos Vemos!

Chile, Food, And Fun

I haven't posted in a while but that is mainly because not a whole lot has been going on. The past week I went to school as normal and it's now clear that this is actual college as I had anticipated. By that I mean I've been assigned and completed projects, get homework, and I have now been assigned to read an entire book. So study abroad has now become STUDY abraod. However, school work aside I have still been able to have a lot of fun lately. This last Thursday I went to Santiago to attend the album release of my host brothers band. It was a unique experience because the concert was held in a radio station and broadcast live! And I'm happy to say they played and sounded great. If you want to look them up they are called Signuz. (Pretty good if I do say so myself). After the concert we preceded to a bar to celebrate. However the drinks in Santiago fashion were quite expensive so there wasn't a lot of "celebrating" if you know what I mean. However after the bar we all got into 2 vans and made the trip back to Viña around 1:00 am. The following day I went to my first discoteca which was similar to an American club. However I felt fairly cool because I was on the list to get in and didn't have to pay. However, the club was just ok for me becuase it's hard to do much when you can't communicate or ask someone to dance. But nonetheless the location was awesome and I had fun. On Saturday night I bonded with my other host brother who doesn't live here with us but who was visiting, and that was a lot of fun. And a nice clam night. Sunday (Easter) I cooked for my family! I made a pasta dish, asparagus, and garlic bread. I'm pleased to say it turned out great, however I was quite nervous before hand. And even went out twice to buy ingredients because I was sacred I didn't have enough (I had enough). I did go to the superstore jumbo though to look around. And jumbo means jumbo. It was like Walmart and Home Depot in one enourmous store. But, aside from that as I said the meal was great.

And speaking of food, by popular request I wanted to shar a little about Chilean food. The food here is great, lots of vegetables and lots of bread. There are lots of soups and stews, but I have had less seafood than I thought I would.  It's been great enjoying every dish I've had here so far I was nervous about that before. My friends however have complained the food isn't spicy (it isn't), but I'm fine with that I don't like spicy food much. However when Chileans say something is spicy, it funny becuase it's really not. I've had two occasions when they have told be watch out its really spicy. And it wasn't even spicy for me. So there is defiantly a difference to the meaning of the word spicy here. Also, a tortilla in Chile is not what it is in the states, it's a whole dish not a burrito wrap. Also a great dish by the way. But in all the food is great and I'm always excited to eat lunch here and try something new.

If anything exciting happens ill be sure to post sooner. But until then, Hasta luego.