No Entiendo!!

Yesterday was orientation at my university.  I allowed myself just enough time to arrive at 8:15 a.m., but when I walked downstairs Veronica poked her head out of her bedroom door and insisted that I have a cup of coffee and some breakfast.  After I finished eating I had about three minutes to make it to the university, but Veronica said not to worry.  I still power-walked/ ran, and upon arrival I slid into the massive group of Chilean students that were standing at the entrance.  We then proceeded to wait 20 minutes for anything to happen (I understand why Veronica said not to rush).  Finally our tour began and it turned out to be a large mass of students aimlessly wandering around the campus... Needless to say, I didn't get a real feel for the campus during this tour.  After 1 1/2 hours of chaos we broke into our areas of study.  I soon realized that I was a bit advanced for my classes, and I should probably find something different to take because my classes were all English language classes (it would be the same as if a Chilean came to UW and was signed up for basic Spanish classes).  I am currently working on my schedule and we'll see what I end up with.  All of this confusion was happening in Spanish, which made it about 99 times more confusing for my because I can understand approximately 1% of what is happening.  All I can say, is thank goodness for the three VERY kind and patient Chilean students that helped me out!

After this tough day I went for a run along the beach... BEAUTIFUL!

Today was extremely challenging!!  All of the exchange students had to register with the police this morning at 7:45.  My Chilean family doesn't get up quite as early as my family at home.  Here, I am the early riser, that's a switch!!  My plan was to eat a quick breakfast and then be all set to go when Veronica woke up.  Instead, she heard me walk downstairs and then she prepared everything for me and ate with me.  This morning I learned that they don't like to let anyone eat alone.  Another big switch for me!  (She told me I was a very independent person).  Again, Veronica didn't think I needed to leave quite so early, but we managed to arrive at about 8:00.  Thankfully she drove me, because I would have gotten extremely lost if I would have attempted to take one of the many buses in this city.  The group of exchange students gathered (3 from Mexico, 1 from Peru, and 2 from the U.S), along with the lady in charge of the international program, and she explained what we needed to do and left.  To keep it brief, it was a day of waiting, waiting, giving an official some papers, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, giving another official some papers, confusion, fingerprints, and more confusion.  I didn't realize that I really don't speak or understand any Spanish at all until I arrived here in Chile!  I had several problems with my official papers throughout the day and the native Spanish speaking exchange students helped me SO much!!! I was the last one done because of the continuous problems the officials were having with my paper work and every single one of the other students waited an extra 30 minutes for me, all but the one from the U.S. :) I have no idea what I would do without the kindness and generosity of all these people who have helped me!  Finally, at 4:00 I made it back home and Veronica prepared a gigantic lunch for me.  I am extremely spoiled here!!

What an adventure this all is!        

Mi familia

Jorge wearing his new apron.

Hot Water Heater

Accomplishment of the day:

After only wasting approximately 10 matches... I lit the hot water heater all by myself today before taking my shower!!!

The following four photos are all taken standing on the patio outside of my bedroom.

The "garage"

A hotel is getting built right across the street.  Good thing I am a heavy sleeper!

My bedroom

And my bathroom

The patio downstairs

Nino!

I know that a photo of the laundry room and bathrooms, etc. are really not necessary, but they are for my mom to see.

Veronica and Jorge's bedroom

The ocean!  

Atlanta

Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta was where Dorothy and I went on Tuesday to get out of the airport for a bit.

Dorothy, my fabulous travel companion!

I don't pack lightly and consequently had to carry all of my carry-on luggage with me while in Atlanta, and yes, I have my very large backpacking backpack on.

 I liked this quote.

Antofagasta

I am finally in Antofagasta!  My flight out of Santiago was delayed several times yesterday, and I was worried that I would have to spend the night in the airport again, but this time without Dorothy.  THANKFULLY,  everything worked out and the flight was only delayed a few hours.  All of my luggage made it too!  My host parents (Veronica and Jorge) were at the airport holding an "Emily" sign.  They are incredibly kind and very patient with my Spanish!!  When we got out of the car Veronica asked me if I liked cats.  That was an easy answer for me!!  His name is Nino and has quite the personality.  They have two sons (Jorge... easy for me to remember!, and Fran), both of which are are getting an engineering degree at another university here in Antofagasta.  Their house is beautiful, and from my room I have a view of the ocean.  It's like being at a resort!

I have been doing a lot of hanging out today, which is slightly difficult for me.  Jorge is at work (he works at IBM), and Veronica, Fran, and I are at home.  Veronica and I just got back from walking to my university ( two blocks away!) and I got all of the information that I need at the international office.  I will get signed up for all of my classes on Monday, and then on Tuesday I register at the police station.  Those are the only two things on the agenda for now and I am not very clear when classes actually begin because from what I understood before I came it was on the 7th, but I am thinking they begin on Wednesday now.

It is very hot here and that is why the house is a nice place to be currently.  I will be getting my own key to the house today, so I will be able to walk down to the beach :)!!  It is even closer to my house than the university!  I am going to buy a cell phone tomorrow when Veronica and I go the town center so that I have an easier way of communicating if I get lost.

Well, I guess that's it for now.  Everything is absolutely wonderful here and the people are so kind, even though I can hardly understand anything that they say!!  I am going to attempt to post some pictures now.  

Almost there!

Well, I have finally arrived in Chile... Still not in Antofagasta, but getting closer!!  I spent an unexpected two days in Atlanta due to a missed flight because of bad weather, and there is only one airport and one flight out of the U.S. each day through Delta.  The airport, of course, is Atlanta and the time is 8:35 p.m.  Thankfully, I made a new friend while there who was in the exact same situation and we spent the two days together.  My new friend's name is Dorothy and she is in her mid-80's.  What an amazing lady (headed to Santiago to visit her daughter and son-in-law)!  We spent the night in the airport the first night and went downtown Atlanta the next day.  It wasn't too terribly fun hauling around all of my carry-on luggage, but it was extremely nice to get out of the airport!  We were hoping to get on standby on Tuesday night, but the flight was completely full because of everyone that had missed the flight the night before.  We got a hotel room at Microtel (nothing fancy, but sure nice to have a shower and bed!).  Finally, 8:35 p.m. arrived on Wed. and I made it to Santiago at 8:00 a.m. local time.  After a few minor complications with confirming my flight to Antofagasta, I have a ticket and I will be flying out at 1:05 p.m. and arriving two hours later.  It is currently 7:05 a.m. at home and 11:05 a.m. here, so I am feeling quite sleepy, but anxious to get on my flight in just a few hours.  Hopefully I have encountered my major bumps in Atlanta, and it will be smooth sailing for a while!  Love to everyone at home, and happy birthday, Dad!!