And the adventure begins...

Today has been the longest day of my life.

Having spent the first nine hours on a plane, getting rather uncomfortable sleep and worrying about blood clots, I was very glad when we finally landed.  Despite past experiences, customs was a breeze, with the only long part being the line.  I got my luggage (yayyy!!) and headed to meet the rest of the group.  It was an absolute zoo.  There were somewhere between 50-60 of us arriving today and the rest of the group (about 10 more) joined us at the hotel.  After waiting for my hair to grey, I was finally given a room.  I'm currently rooming with two of the girls from my group (Cynthia & Michelle) and we all get along so well.  We spent the first hour just talking as Cynthia was here for intensive month, so she knew all the answers to our burning questions.

We (the collective ISA group) spent the day being all touristy and riding up an ascensor up to take in the views of Santiago.  As beautiful as it was, the smog took some of the beauty away, and the intensive month students were all moaning on the wonderful views of Valpo and Viña.

After all that, I am rather spent.  I'm already mourning some of my American luxeries I took too easily for granted (leave-in conditioner, peanut butter, big breakfasts, red bull).  Speaking of Red Bull, I really need to get some energy source soon.

I promise to add pictures next time.

Cheese Plaza Burgers and Puny Bouncers

Last week was my last hurrah in Madison. It's still hitting me that I'm not going to be back for more than four months! And for those I didn't get to see before I left, I promise, we'll go all out in July when I come back.

I did get my last Plaza experiences in. I'm trying to memorize every inch of the Plaza and scene, because my big goal in Vina and Valpo is to find the Chilean Plaza! Especially if it comes equipt with a Peter Petigrew.

One thing I won't miss about Madison is being able to just order a glass of wine without any hassle! And since the nightlife in Chile is the same as mine (based on what I've read), Thursday-Saturday, I should have no problem adjusting to that.

So probably the biggest news I have is about my family. I only got a description, no picture or anything, but based on the description, I'm really excited. My family owns a school! And I have three siblings: an older sister (that'll be a first), a sister Emma's age, and a little brother. What's nice about having an older sister is that she'll really be able to show me the local scene.

Tuesday, I get my VISA (finally!!!). After that, is basically getting all the rest of my stuff together. While I will miss the good life of working out/reading/drinking wine/sleeping, I am sooo ready to just leave the country already and travel!