First Week Recap!

Well, I will start with Sunday since I pretty much have given you all a general idea of what went on the first few days.

Sunday, I slept in. Which was WONDERFUL! Then, since on the weekends most of the time lunch isn't provided I walked across the street for some empanadas. They were out of everything except one with tomatoes, cheese, and ham. To my surprise, it was freaking great. I am in LOVE with empanadas.

The rest of the day consisted of the group going to one INTENSE soccer game! It was a game between the neighboring cities here, La Serena y Coquimbo. Long time rivalries. In my mind I pictured the game being at some little field, nothing fancy because it really isn't fancy here. So, we ALL (all 16 of us, crammed in the isle) caught a bus to the STADIUM, which was HUGE, not some little field like I thought. Upon arrival, I was terrified. There were Carabineros with protection gear on and shields and batons and huge trucks with machine guns on top. I was thinking, what the heck are us gringos doing here.

The game was AMAZING! So much spirit and pride in their teams. They sang chants throughout the whole game, back and forth, threw toilet paper when something exciting happened, and they even had drums in their sections for the chants. Oh, and let's not forget the flares/fireworks they set off in the STANDS when something great happened.

We left ten minutes early because it was a risk factor for after the game, super dangerous. Our tour guide Cristobal told us that people will throw bricks and rocks into the windows of the buses and cars, so we tried to get out of there before anything super crazy occurred.

It was an experience of a lifetime. I can only imagine what World Cup games are like in real life.

Here are a couple pictures from the game. It is times like this that I wish I had video on my camera, for the sounds. These pictures don't reflect anything.

So, moving on to MONDAY.

Monday was the first day of classes. For those of you who do not know, I am taking three classes.
One being Spanish Conversation and Composition, another National Identity with focus on Chilean Identity, and lastly Chilean Culture.

The first two are taught and conducted all in Spanish. I am absolutely enjoying the conversation class, even though I don't like to talk in Spanish much. The teacher is great, and I just really enjoy it. The National Identity Course is a bit above my head.

I have really been struggling with this course because the first day was awful and I had a really bad attitude about it because I was worried that I had gotten myself into something that I shouldn't have. This class was the class I dreaded going to. But, this morning, I prayed for God to give me peace about this class and to help me have a better attitude and be less nervous, and actually learn something.

God answered my prayer today. How awesome! It gets me teary eyed to think about it. Today in class, I seriously felt the presence of the Lord, I was so calm and peaceful. It was great.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Chilean Culture class and that will be marked by SALSA lessons!

Should be interesting.

Another cool and great experience I had on Monday was when I experienced my FIRST TREMOR! Yes, small earthquake. My professor told me that it was like a four degree one, and at six is when there becomes problems! It was soooooo neat.

Monday night we decided to venture over to the Argentine restaurant for some meat. It was a really neat experience, pretty pricey, but it was a fun experience. I had Bife Liso- Lean Beef/Steak and a glass of Don Luis red wine.

I found myself in bed at around 10:30, which seems to be a trend that I will try to keep.

So, yesterday, TUESDAY, was another day of classes. We only were supposed to have morning classes because in the afternoon we went and had lunch and a tour at a Catholic University in Coquimbo that specialized in Marine Biology. The lunch was in a Casino (cafeteria) and it was definitely cafeteria food.

After that, we got back and my professor decided our class was going to have afternoon class anyway. Which really sucked.

Anyways here are a few pictures from the biology trip.

For my National Identity class I had to watch the Chile vs. Peru game. Chile and Peru have been in a constant warlike mindset since the war between them that Chile won. The game was pretty lame at first, but then in the last two minutes of overtime Chile scored and won the game! The streets here were roaring with excitement, all the Chileans were so happy! It was crazy!

So, finally to TODAY, Wednesday. 
Today we didn't have morning classes because we went downtown for some tours. First we went to a former presidents house which is now a museum. Kinda boring compared to the second two places we went.

Then, we went inside a cathedral. Where unfortunately you couldn't use your camera. It really is a shame because it was so beautiful.

Lastly, we went to an archaeological museum. IT WAS SO COOL! Here are some pictures:

To finish our tours, we had lunch downtown at Club de La Serena, what I would say is equivalent to the idea of like an American Legion or Elks Lodge, but much fancier. Here we had bread with salsa, chicken noodle soup, boiled chicken and rice, and fruit for dessert. In Chile, lunch in the biggest meal of the day. Dinner is almost unheard of and generally replaced by what they call onces. A tea and bread at about 6 in the evening. If you do want dinner, most places here don't even open until 8 or 8:30.

That is pretty much a recap of the first week. It really is an interesting city. Not the prettiest place in the world, but it has a lot of unique histories and architectures.

What I really want to do, is go shopping, but I haven't had time yet. I am worried I won't ever have time because it gets dark here so early! I can't wait for a free moment to hit up the mall and La Recova downtown. Seriously people I just need to spend some money!

I miss home very much this week. See you all in about 20 days.