3 Months

I have lived in Chile for 3 months now. That is a pretty big marker for us! In some ways it has flown by because I feel like I have accomplished so much in such a little time. In some ways though I feel like "really, its only been 3 months? It sure feels longer." Either way, this is an amazing country with wonderful people and I am enjoying getting into the culture and people's lives more and more.

The move to Concepcion will happen at the end of May/beginning of June so please be in prayer for that transition. It is exciting that we are so close to being in Conce but there is so much to get done, mainly finding a place to live. The Lord will provide.

I Heart Mendoza

This past weekend my team and I took a short vacation from language and cultural learning in Santiago, to visit the beautiful city of Mendoza, Argentina which is just across the Andes. We had a few days of fun and relaxation in a new city and a slightly different culture. I did a lot of walking around the city, saw some sites, did some shopping, and had a few adventures. The highlights include eating a lot of yummy food, taking a few tours, and zip lining through the Andes. It was a nice break from my daily life, an opportunity to refresh and recharge, and a good chance to have a lot of fun together. The Andes were amazing and I got a really good look at them when we rode a bus home through them. They are intense!

Enjoy a few pictures from the trip:

Beautiful Mendoza

Argentina is known for its steaks so I had to have one

It is also known for its leather so I had to buy my first pair of leather boots here. They will come in hand for the cold, wet weather in Concepcion. Sara got a leather purse.

Enjoying the moment of zip lining through the Andes- know I did scream a little but it was a blast

Don't we look hardcore with our helmets and harnesses. We have so much fun together.

Hello Mr. President

I saw the president of Chile on Friday! I know a few months ago I joked about seeing President Obama when I really didn't but this time I really did. I saw Presidente Sebastian Piñera.

That's him. I think he is waving at me.

So here is the story. After class on Friday I headed to our local office supply store that is in Plaza de Armas which is the center plaza of the city where Santiago was founded. Located in this plaza is the post office and Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago.

As I was walking across the plaza I noticed some of the areas were roped off and there were large crowds of people standing around them looking across the roped off areas. Being the curious girl I am I went and joined the crowd to see what they were looking at. They were looking at the entrance to the church where a few people passed through security and entered the church.

When one lady appeared and headed towards the church all of these camera men rushed around her with cameras and microphones. The surrounded her for a few moments and then she was free. The lady in front of me yelled out her name and she turned around, smiled, waved and the crowd cheered. This happened a few more times with a few more people.

I paid attention to the people around me and what they were saying to figure out what was happening. I knew there must be some special mass occurring and some well known people were attending but I don't really know any well known Chileans so I didn't know if they were celebrities, athletes, government officials or what. My guess was government officials.

I was thinking about moving on when I heard someone in Spanish say, "no the president has not arrived yet." My ears perked up at this. The president! How exciting! I knew I had to stay. Not too much longer a car pulled up on the side of the church and sure enough, out stepped the president of Chile. He went to the crowed and kissed a baby and then walked towards the church. The crowed cheered for him and he waved at me and went inside. It was short and sweet but pretty cool!

I asked the lady next to me what was happening and she said she had no idea. I almost laughed. She didn't know either! I just had to find out though so I asked another group of ladies and they said they were not sure but that they think it was a memorial mass for a senator who had died a few years ago. That was sufficient for me. I did a little research when I got home and I think they were right. Either way, it was exciting and fun to be a part of something like that.

This is just zoomed in. You may recognize him if you watched the Chilean miners being rescued. He was there to greet all of them.