Hi,
If you would like to send me a love letter, this is my address.
La Kati
Avenida Marina 330 dept. 114 Edificio Marina
CentroVina del Mar, Chile
Un abrazo,
xoxo... Kati
PS, make sure it has a return address!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Chile vs. Argentina
Hello Again!
So a funny thing happened today while I was waiting for my friend in the bathroom. As I waited I first saw two people leave the bathroom, wash down their hands and slick down their hair with water. haha. I have seen many people in the clubs do the same thing to their hair. After that, I must make a declaimer. Many bathrooms in Chile do not have toilet paper. You have two options, you can bring it with you in your pocket, or sometimes ask the counter if they have any you can take. Haha. So, as these two ladies exited the bathroom, they washed their hands and reached in the pocket to dry their hands with toilet paper. hahaha. Also, very entertaining.
Other than that, I would like to inform you, Chile has a big problem with complaining, depression, denial and thieving. Yes, it all is a big problem. Many people take depression pills however the pharmacists will only sell them the brand that gives the pharmacist the highest percentage of the sale. Other than that, I watched a program those who fill up your gas tank will fill out the numbers wrong and steal money from you. And I must I say, Chileans wish they were all blond, white and skinny. So they deny that they are kind chubby (well... they eat cheese, bread, avocado and ice cream all the time!), darker people are treated worse in society, and they can not stop staring at gringos! Its wild.
So, now that you know that, I had a good week. I went to the Argentina vs. Chile soccer game. It was epic!!! Chile won 1-0. So, Argentina is the best team in the world (they won the olympics) and, Chile has never won a qualifier against them before. It is a historical game, and I was in the Estadio Nacional to see it. Being beautiful gringos, we were shown up on the big screen in the stadium, for almost a minute. The stadium is very old, and needs to be updated. They only have one screen, and it doesn't even show the time. More than that, the Estadio Nacional is where many people were held, tortured and killed during the Coup de Etat. It sill holds and special place in the Chileans heart. And... Pinochet and Allende are still heavily debated topics, and it makes really funny jokes.
Haha, my friend Nateals friend Zac was visiting us in Chile this weekend. So, we went to Zapallar and sunbathed the whole day. Annd, I went swimming in the ocean. It was cold, but sooooo wonderful. I still hold a little fear of the ocean but I am getting better at diving under the waves. It was very very fun!!!
I wish you guys all the best!
Un Abrazo,
xoxo... La Kati
So a funny thing happened today while I was waiting for my friend in the bathroom. As I waited I first saw two people leave the bathroom, wash down their hands and slick down their hair with water. haha. I have seen many people in the clubs do the same thing to their hair. After that, I must make a declaimer. Many bathrooms in Chile do not have toilet paper. You have two options, you can bring it with you in your pocket, or sometimes ask the counter if they have any you can take. Haha. So, as these two ladies exited the bathroom, they washed their hands and reached in the pocket to dry their hands with toilet paper. hahaha. Also, very entertaining.
Other than that, I would like to inform you, Chile has a big problem with complaining, depression, denial and thieving. Yes, it all is a big problem. Many people take depression pills however the pharmacists will only sell them the brand that gives the pharmacist the highest percentage of the sale. Other than that, I watched a program those who fill up your gas tank will fill out the numbers wrong and steal money from you. And I must I say, Chileans wish they were all blond, white and skinny. So they deny that they are kind chubby (well... they eat cheese, bread, avocado and ice cream all the time!), darker people are treated worse in society, and they can not stop staring at gringos! Its wild.
So, now that you know that, I had a good week. I went to the Argentina vs. Chile soccer game. It was epic!!! Chile won 1-0. So, Argentina is the best team in the world (they won the olympics) and, Chile has never won a qualifier against them before. It is a historical game, and I was in the Estadio Nacional to see it. Being beautiful gringos, we were shown up on the big screen in the stadium, for almost a minute. The stadium is very old, and needs to be updated. They only have one screen, and it doesn't even show the time. More than that, the Estadio Nacional is where many people were held, tortured and killed during the Coup de Etat. It sill holds and special place in the Chileans heart. And... Pinochet and Allende are still heavily debated topics, and it makes really funny jokes.
Haha, my friend Nateals friend Zac was visiting us in Chile this weekend. So, we went to Zapallar and sunbathed the whole day. Annd, I went swimming in the ocean. It was cold, but sooooo wonderful. I still hold a little fear of the ocean but I am getting better at diving under the waves. It was very very fun!!!
I wish you guys all the best!
Un Abrazo,
xoxo... La Kati
Monday, October 13, 2008
Here in Chile...
Hey,
A funny thing happeend to me while I was waiting to meet my friend. A man with a suitcase came up and started to talk to me. He asked me if I knew who he was. Obviously, I said no. So, it took no time for him to say, ¨Well, here in CHile we sell things on the street! ¨He opened his box and wamted to sell me perfume. Haha. his excited tone and him his words just made me laugh.
This weekend I went to visit a beautiful beach in Zapallar. This is an exclusive community with a lot of money. I know the owned of a big supermarket chain has a house there, and so do some rich Puertoricans who own a hotel chain. The houses are summer mansions and obviously the owners only come around on long weekends or summer time.
The beach was really clean, and the people very nice. Its a lot like Colorado in how people say Hi to eachother on the streets. Very friendly. On Sunday when returning from Zapallar, I got to take a free bus. The students return to their home on the weekend, so on SUndays, when the students go back to school, the bus is free! I walked home around 7 on a sunday. Vina was like a ghost town. Not only are the businesses all closed on Sunday but the Chile Ecuador game was on too. No body was on the streets, it was sort of odd. Chile lost to Ecuador with a score of 1-0. :(
Okay! I´ll talk to you later.
Un abrazo
xoxo... Kati
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Papapletos
Hello out there!
I only had one class this morning, but, it was a good class. I have picked a group for our group project, and I will be presenting in front of many Chileans about biotechnology and bioethics regarding expirementation on human beings. Yesterday, art class was relaxing like it always in. I have a project due in there where I'm supposed to turn in 60 sheets of paper that I made. Other than that, I turned in two essays to two different classes, and have a huge spanish packet to do! Well, I know you don't want to know about school, so this week was good.
On friday my friend from a little beach town called Zapallar came to visit me. We went around and explored Valparaiso. We walked to some great views, and I saw all the colorful houses in the nice part of town, and the not so nice part of town. There are many poor people in Chile, and they all dry their clothes outside. Walking up hills, you will look to one side and see a group of four buildings with a courtyard. Sometimes, the people have their close drying in the courtyard. The majority of people air dry their clothes. So, when packing for Chile, it doesn't do you any good to buy big and think drying them will shrink it to the right side. Haha.
This week in Valparaiso, there was a festival called Mil Tambores (One million tambourines). I stumbled upon the body painting part. In this plaza, there were artists, homeless people, regular peopl, crazy people, rasta people, music people, and alll people! The artists were painting people's body. The designs were interesting and all reflected what the artist wanted to do. Sompe people got totally naked while some people didn't. I saw a poor person, who seemed a little crazy. She was probably 50 and smoking cigarettes and dancing. This little thing would just open up her jacket and show her bra to everyone, while still dancing and saying random things. One time when she pulled her pants down, she revealed what seemed to be like she was pregnant. However, it had blue bumps and was off to the side. I'm sure she muttered something about being free and liberated and not being able to get medical care.
I asked my friend what it was and he told me it was probably a hernia. So... I wondered why she couldn't get medical help. He explained to me that in Chile, unlike the rest of South America, the medical care is not really free. However, she could go into a clinic and take a number. Not only would the medical care in the clinic be mediocre but its possible you would take number 3,000,000 and they could be serving patient one. I'm not sure if the medical attention would cost money either, however there is little justice and programs for the poor people in Chile.
Well, back to the festival. After seeing the body painting, I returned back to Valparaiso that night with my friends. In the street, there were many people playing drums, drinking, having fun and celebrating. When my friend Natael asked a girl what they were celebrating she replied... umm, yes! haha, because they can. It was a good experience to see, and reminded me of music festivals.
This night, I ate whats called a papapleto. A typical food of Chile is all these big sandwiches. There are Churascos (meet, tomato, avocado and bread) and Completos (hotdog, tomato, avovado and mayonase). Of course, they have variations on these sandwiches. So, I went to the only restaruant that serves these, it was a completo but instead of a hotdog, it had frenchfries! Haha, it was mushy and salty but yummy. A necessary experience.
You know how I told you there were many homeless dogs here, well its really sad. This week I saw two dogs very very sick. One little thing had snot (just like we would) just dripping from his nose. Its not like these dogs can do anything for themselves. And it is just heartbreaking. The other dog seemed to have goop coming from his mouth. And they look just pitiful, and appear as if they are crying!
Well, every different micro is crazy and the ocean stays beautiful. The days are nice, and I'm gonna get tan!
Miss you guys tons!
Un abrazo,
xoxo... Kati
Hey dad- You would love the frenchfries here!
I only had one class this morning, but, it was a good class. I have picked a group for our group project, and I will be presenting in front of many Chileans about biotechnology and bioethics regarding expirementation on human beings. Yesterday, art class was relaxing like it always in. I have a project due in there where I'm supposed to turn in 60 sheets of paper that I made. Other than that, I turned in two essays to two different classes, and have a huge spanish packet to do! Well, I know you don't want to know about school, so this week was good.
On friday my friend from a little beach town called Zapallar came to visit me. We went around and explored Valparaiso. We walked to some great views, and I saw all the colorful houses in the nice part of town, and the not so nice part of town. There are many poor people in Chile, and they all dry their clothes outside. Walking up hills, you will look to one side and see a group of four buildings with a courtyard. Sometimes, the people have their close drying in the courtyard. The majority of people air dry their clothes. So, when packing for Chile, it doesn't do you any good to buy big and think drying them will shrink it to the right side. Haha.
This week in Valparaiso, there was a festival called Mil Tambores (One million tambourines). I stumbled upon the body painting part. In this plaza, there were artists, homeless people, regular peopl, crazy people, rasta people, music people, and alll people! The artists were painting people's body. The designs were interesting and all reflected what the artist wanted to do. Sompe people got totally naked while some people didn't. I saw a poor person, who seemed a little crazy. She was probably 50 and smoking cigarettes and dancing. This little thing would just open up her jacket and show her bra to everyone, while still dancing and saying random things. One time when she pulled her pants down, she revealed what seemed to be like she was pregnant. However, it had blue bumps and was off to the side. I'm sure she muttered something about being free and liberated and not being able to get medical care.
I asked my friend what it was and he told me it was probably a hernia. So... I wondered why she couldn't get medical help. He explained to me that in Chile, unlike the rest of South America, the medical care is not really free. However, she could go into a clinic and take a number. Not only would the medical care in the clinic be mediocre but its possible you would take number 3,000,000 and they could be serving patient one. I'm not sure if the medical attention would cost money either, however there is little justice and programs for the poor people in Chile.
Well, back to the festival. After seeing the body painting, I returned back to Valparaiso that night with my friends. In the street, there were many people playing drums, drinking, having fun and celebrating. When my friend Natael asked a girl what they were celebrating she replied... umm, yes! haha, because they can. It was a good experience to see, and reminded me of music festivals.
This night, I ate whats called a papapleto. A typical food of Chile is all these big sandwiches. There are Churascos (meet, tomato, avocado and bread) and Completos (hotdog, tomato, avovado and mayonase). Of course, they have variations on these sandwiches. So, I went to the only restaruant that serves these, it was a completo but instead of a hotdog, it had frenchfries! Haha, it was mushy and salty but yummy. A necessary experience.
You know how I told you there were many homeless dogs here, well its really sad. This week I saw two dogs very very sick. One little thing had snot (just like we would) just dripping from his nose. Its not like these dogs can do anything for themselves. And it is just heartbreaking. The other dog seemed to have goop coming from his mouth. And they look just pitiful, and appear as if they are crying!
Well, every different micro is crazy and the ocean stays beautiful. The days are nice, and I'm gonna get tan!
Miss you guys tons!
Un abrazo,
xoxo... Kati
Hey dad- You would love the frenchfries here!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
More Chile
Hello, I imagine you all can't wait to hear from me again. Things are still going good in Chile. Even better, the days are getting warm, and its the perfect time for sunbathing. Too bad I have to sit in a class room during the nicest times of the day! Anyways, it was a relaxed and beautiful week.
Today when I got to school, a suprise awaited all students. At 10, I saw two fire trucks in front of the Casa Central. Surveying the scene a little more, there was caution tape and broken, exploded wood and glass on the ground. I looked up to the third level, and a fire occured in our school! I couldn't believe it. I've heard a few hypothesis. First, an insomniac was popping popcorn when things went wrong. Haha. Second, that at five this morning a chemistry lab exploded and started this fire. At least 1/4 of the third floor was torched. I was very suprised!
Other than that, I was a good charity girl this week. My maid, who comes once a week for a deep cleaning, was talking to me during lunch. I asked her how her 18th festivities were, and she said good.... but we don't have much money, so we didn't go very many places. So, continuing to talk she revealed her daughters 15th birthday was this weekend. But... the problem is she doesn't have any money, and couldn't buy a cake. Well in short, I ended up giving her daughter a birthday present, and contributed a little but to her cake. Second, I was eating a chocolate bar on the street when three homeless men asked me for money. Well, I never go digging through my purse to find them money, so I shared some chocolate. Haha. At least I did something...
The poor people who sell socks, tweezers, sunglasses, and basically nothing on the street make me feel slightly uncomfortable.
Another thing about school today, they were handing out papers in front of the casa central, me thinking it was about fire took it. The headline was, Gay marriages, threatening our society and our faith. Building hate for the gays, very nice Chile.
On Saturday I had a nice lunch with my family. My mom made seafood soup, a tasty salad, and fish sticks... in the shape of fishies. Its a good thing I mysteriosly started liking fish before I came to chile.
On Monday I wanted to go get a pedicure, so my mom sent me to her friends shop. This friend had is now living in New York. He was dating a "gringa", and she got pregnant. So, he moved to New York to meet the girls family, and they are going to get married before they have the baby. His mom could care less, and is excited to have a little gringa grandchild but... she told me her mom almost died! I can imagine.
Well, I'll try to remember more quality things to say next time!
I'm looking forward to a homework week. I have a paper due tomorrow, monday, and an art portfolio due in two mondays. Fancy that, I actually have school! HAHAHAHAH
Miss you!
Un abrazo,
xoxo... Kati
Today when I got to school, a suprise awaited all students. At 10, I saw two fire trucks in front of the Casa Central. Surveying the scene a little more, there was caution tape and broken, exploded wood and glass on the ground. I looked up to the third level, and a fire occured in our school! I couldn't believe it. I've heard a few hypothesis. First, an insomniac was popping popcorn when things went wrong. Haha. Second, that at five this morning a chemistry lab exploded and started this fire. At least 1/4 of the third floor was torched. I was very suprised!
Other than that, I was a good charity girl this week. My maid, who comes once a week for a deep cleaning, was talking to me during lunch. I asked her how her 18th festivities were, and she said good.... but we don't have much money, so we didn't go very many places. So, continuing to talk she revealed her daughters 15th birthday was this weekend. But... the problem is she doesn't have any money, and couldn't buy a cake. Well in short, I ended up giving her daughter a birthday present, and contributed a little but to her cake. Second, I was eating a chocolate bar on the street when three homeless men asked me for money. Well, I never go digging through my purse to find them money, so I shared some chocolate. Haha. At least I did something...
The poor people who sell socks, tweezers, sunglasses, and basically nothing on the street make me feel slightly uncomfortable.
Another thing about school today, they were handing out papers in front of the casa central, me thinking it was about fire took it. The headline was, Gay marriages, threatening our society and our faith. Building hate for the gays, very nice Chile.
On Saturday I had a nice lunch with my family. My mom made seafood soup, a tasty salad, and fish sticks... in the shape of fishies. Its a good thing I mysteriosly started liking fish before I came to chile.
On Monday I wanted to go get a pedicure, so my mom sent me to her friends shop. This friend had is now living in New York. He was dating a "gringa", and she got pregnant. So, he moved to New York to meet the girls family, and they are going to get married before they have the baby. His mom could care less, and is excited to have a little gringa grandchild but... she told me her mom almost died! I can imagine.
Well, I'll try to remember more quality things to say next time!
I'm looking forward to a homework week. I have a paper due tomorrow, monday, and an art portfolio due in two mondays. Fancy that, I actually have school! HAHAHAHAH
Miss you!
Un abrazo,
xoxo... Kati
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
