The First Week!

I must declare that I have not felt this alive in sometime. Traveling for me is like meditating in a sense because you escape the world you once knew. Don’t get me wrong I love my home, family, and friends in Oklahoma. Though it was necessary for me to explore what else is out in the world and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to study-abroad. My sleep schedule has never been better and I am thinking part of the reason is that every single day holds something new, a perspective I plan to hold onto once I get back to the states.

Yesterday Katie, Allison, Dana, and I were able to watch the sunset from the beach front in Vina del Mar. There were pelicans congregating and surfers in the waves, even though it is winter here and the water must be freezing. After our jaunt to the beach we went and ate completos. Completos are a Chilean hot dog in essence but much more extreme. They are about 18 inches long and have a gigantic bun with a hot dog, sauerkraut, tomatos, avocado, mayonnaise, and sauce. We ate these monstrosities at a little hole in the wall known as Sibareticas. This was a restaurant that Anthony Bourdain went to in an episode and had the famous completos. It was a hell of a meal and probably was around 1000 calories. It was delicious.

Then we went to the mall. Haha I am getting my fill of girl talk and shopping here but it is all so knew that it is very entertaining. The mall was massive with 4 stories! We only ended up seeing  3 stories due to the sheer number of stores. Don’t be fooled… the prices here are the same as in the states if not a little more expensive due to importation costs. Brands are very important here as well for many people. VanHuesen, Timberland, Hushpuppies, Converse, Victorinox, Madden, etc., etc. The wages here are much lower however and it must take a lot of time to save up for such items.

Today we are taking the second part of the tour of Valparaiso. I cannot wait to explore the city on my own.

Below are pictures from the first part of the tour as well as our weekend trip to the winery Vinamar and to Pablo Neruda’s second home Isla Negra. 

 The awesome architecture of Valparaiso.

 Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

 Awesome Murals of Valparaiso

 The larget pool in the world right next to the Pacific coast

 Me being a kid.

 In the control room of a Ascensor

 Isla Negra house of Pablo Neruda

 Our Guide in Valparaiso

 Speak Dominga! Cute dog that reminded me of my precious Flip

 Vinamar Winery

 We were not able to finish the outside part of the tour due to the rain so we were given a free bottle of wine.

 Me in a fermentation tank.

 Vistas

 People of Valparaiso