Vamos a la playa!

I can't believe another week has gone by already! This is how it went:

Tuesday

Spanish class

Visit at the museo de la memoria- very somber, beautifully done museum in memory of the human rights violations during the Pinochet era.  Akin to the Holocaust museum and very informative.  Found out that the current chilean constitution is the same one which was (illegally) ratified during the Pinochet era, though a few changes have been made.  Afterwards went to a very pretty park nearby to just chill out and talk.

Wednesday

Spanish class

Went back to the thrifting neighborhood so people could find clothes for St Pattys day, and got a really pretty green scarf.  Also went to one of the many "tiendas de cumpleaños" (party stores) to get some green goodies.  They must have a lot of parties here considering there is a whole street of these stores!

Later that night: Miercoles po! A big dance party in the middle of nowhere in an old theatre.  Irish attire everywhere.  People of all countries.  Literally conversed in 5 different languages.  And had a conversation that rotated between english, french, and spanish midsentence.  

Thursday

Met at school at 7:30 to get the bus to the beach.  First stop was Isla Negra, where we saw one of Pablo Neruda's houses.  So cool.  If you don't know anything about him/his poetry/his houses, do a little research.  I'm definitely going to try to read a book of his poetry.  Had the most yummy thing I've had here yet- an empañada with gobs of fresh cheese and big chunks of tasty fresh crab.  After that, on to Viña del mar where we got to stay in a hotel and go out to a big tasty Italian dinner, and hung around in the hotel rooms after.

Friday

Visited Valparaíso- fell in love.  The whole little town is all these colored houses up in the hills, and beautiful murals everywhere.  All I could think was, why can't the rest of the world be this colorful?  After Valpo we went back to Viña and to the beach where I FINALLY got a little color.  We got a hostel for the night and I will say my first hostel experience was a successful one.  Super cool colorful rooms and met a bunch of cool people from Norway/Canada/Argentina/Israel/other countries.  8 people to a room and there was a happy hour right in the hostel.  Then we wandered around looking for somewhere to go out and I eventually ended up in a fun club with some Latino music! A late, but fun night.

Saturday

Hangover

Artisan market, bought a journal and coin purse.

Bus home, very good for napping on.

Another nap

Dinner

Bed

Today

Hanging around and lunch with Cecilia.  Now I'm going to get ready to go see a museum, and then hopefully go for dinner at an Irish Pub! (the only one in the city as far as I know)  Happy St. Pattys Day to all.