Chao Valdivia

_ WHERE IS RACHAEL (and Ashley!) NOW: SANTIAGO, CHILE _

Last week I had to say goodbye to my home for four months, Valdivia. It was a long tiring week. We went out a lot to say goodbye to everyone leaving on different nights and despididas, goodbyes, are exhausting in themselves. We went to a nice restaurant with the whole program, professors included, called PicaMadero. We had great food, wine, and conversation.

Then we headed to the bar Madero for some special gringo despididas festivities. First we watched a futbol game and after participated in games like: Chilean Modismos (slang-they have a Ton), traditional dance (cueca), soccer goal contest, and karaoke. Somehow I won the soccer game and earned a free drink and a little figurine called a indiopicaro.

With mis hermanas: Sibyl and Theresa

Kris, myself, and two of the guys from our American Corner group at the university

In the next few days, everyone began to leave: most to the states, a few started traveling. I waited around, taking last minute pictures, picking up souvenirs, and waiting for Ashley.  Ashley made it to Valdivia, safe and sound, but tired. I introduced her to Chile's favorite drink, pisco sours, before heading to bed. The next day we toured the city (fortunately a nice sunny day). My family cooked me my favorite lunch: a red sauce with soy meat and pasta. For the evening meal they cooked papas bravas, my other favorite food and made navegado which is a type of hot spiced wine. Everyone tried their best to speak in English with Ashley and my papa even tried in French! When we left, I cried hard. My mama, my papa, my hermanos..they are family that I don't know when or if I will see again. However, I am excited to be traveling..the first stop is Concepcion! 

Sol+Estrellas= el amor

Buenos dias