Wednesday, August 27, 2014
First Days: Airplane power outtage, Earthquakes, Once
I am in Chile! I arrived 23 de Sabado and my life has been a whirl since then. On my first day there was a some-what large earthquake, but I didn't feel lit at all because we were driving on a bumpy road! My journey here started on Friday the 22nd, where I had to say good-bye to my family for the year. That was difficult because I love them so much, but we know we will be seeing each other again in only a year! Thankfully, I had TSA pre-check which was a breeze. Then I met up with my good friend from Alaska who was heading to Santiago with me! On the flight to Dallas, I had a window seat next to a mother and a son from Mexico City. They were very friendly and somewhat impressed by my minimal Spanish skills. The son kept showing me pictures he thought were hilarious and wanted me to play a game with Zombies in it. So that flight basically consisted of Zombie games, Ifunny pictures, sleep and sunsets. When we arrived in the Dallas airport, Kyla (my friend from Alaska) and I headed straight for our next gate which was boarding in 10 minutes and leaving in 1 hour. Luckily my Dad text me the directions of how to reach our the gate the quickest possible way (Thanks Dad!). We hopped on the Skytrain and arrived at our gate in about 5ish minutes and when we arrived and the got we saw about 5 other exchange students (all girls) in a group. They were all sweet and would also be coming to the same Rotary District as me! We boarded our plane and I found my window seat next to an Older man from Chile but living in Canada. We talked for a few minutes but for the rest of the plane ride we really didn't talk at all. I was extremely cramped and only had about 6 inches of leg room. Not fun. While we were sitting in the plane at the airport, the main Auxiliary power in the plane went out. It was pitch dark. And then they got it to come back on. And then it went out. And then they were able to dimly turn on the lights but could not restore all of power including the air-conditioning. So here we are: a couple hundred people or so stuck in the main cabin of an airplane before take off in roughly an 80+ degree plane. After about 45 minutes all of the power finally came back on and we were ready for take-off! From here, the next 9 hours on the plane were fine: no turbulence, no more power-outtages, microwaved airplane food, grumpy flight attendants. It was such a cramped flight and I had trouble sleeping because I was so uncomfortable and squished. So I barely got a few hours of sleep. In the morning, I was able to see the sun rise over the mountains in Chile, which was extremely breathtaking. The next thing I knew was that we were only 1 hour away from landing! Even though my body clock was programmed to be 5 AM, I was so awake and excited. I looked out and saw the hills and then as we descended I saw a few small towns, grassy fields, so on. Once the plane landed, I got off the plane and headed towards customs. At the bottom of the escalator my oldest host sister and my host dad were at the bottom to meet me and help me with customs. They had a special pass and also helped the exchange student they will be hosting next (she arrived at the airport before me). After customs all of the exchange students went to baggage claim and looked for our bags, but we couldn't find them. Turns out we were waiting at the wrong baggage claim. But everything turned out perfect, we found all of our baggage and then headed through another security area. Once we were out, we walked a bit down a hall and then turned right to out side where a huge crowd of people, and there was my family and my host counselors a total of about 8 people. It was so loud and the greetings in Chile are so different from in the US. You kiss the person on their right cheek, say, hola, etc. I prefer it to the American greeting of awkwardly waving/sometimes hugging/shaking hands/I don't know. From there we drove straight to the house! And since then, I have been to Santiago, walked around Talagante, and much more. I will make another BlogSpot later to update you on the past few days and events! Chao!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Visa, Plane Ticket, Party Galore
Exactly 5 days until I leave, catch my first flight to Dallas, and from there travel directly to Santiago; leaving the USA behind for a year. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by! It feels like just yesterday I was thinking, "In 5 months from now I will be leaving on a plane to Chile". And now it is really happening! I have so many emotions and excitement within me about this coming year! In one week from now, I will have nearly finished my first Sunday in my new country!
The last few weeks have been very hectic, but extremely fun! On Thursday, August 7th, I went to San Francisco to get my Visa at the Chilean Consulate (Finally!!). I woke up at 4 AM left my house at 4:30 and from there drove straight to the airport to catch my flight at 6:15. Driving so early in the morning taught me two lessons about life 1) There are some very aggressive drivers. They make stupid decisions and are rude. 2) 103.7 plays awesome 90's music at 4 AM. I highly recommend waking up at 4 AM just to listen to that station. Not really. But if you are up and it's convenient take my advice! When my Dad and I finally arrived at the airport he got his gate pass and we went straight through security thanks to TSA Pre-check and went straight to the gate! It was the best timing. I was the last one to board, yet I wasn't rushed. Maybe a little. But on that early flight I was able to see the sunrise through the clouds, and the 3 most beautiful mountains in Washington. Mt. Rainier looked breathtaking with the sunrise shining and the snowy peaks looked unreal. About 2 or so hours later I landed and went to baggage claim to meet my Travel Agent who would be accompanying me to the Consulate. While I waited I met another girl going to Santiago, Chile! She was really nice and we had a great time the entire day! From there, all 3 of us took the B.A.R.T to the beautiful building that held the Chilean Consulate of San Francisco! Here is a summary of everything that happened in that tiny, tiny, TINY white room while we got our Visa's: They would call us up, ask us some questions, we would sort through the paper work, make a lot of signatures, fingerprint and in the end finally obtain the beautiful, wonderful, glorious stamp on a page in our Passport to prove we have a Student Visa for the year. That took about 4 and a half hours....of mostly sitting and waiting! Once we were finally out, we went to a huge shopping mall across from the building and ate Panda Express, then shopped for about 30 minutes. From there we had to catch our flight back and went straight to the airport. But it was great seeing San Francisco for all of the 10 minutes I actually went outside! On the way back I got to see Crater Lake from my window which looked beautiful!
After about 4 days later, my travel agent booked my flight! I will be travelling through American Airlines, leaving SeaTac at 2:10 PM on August 22nd, arriving at Dallas FT Worth for my connecting flight later that night and from there flying straight to Santiago to arrive at 8:05 AM on Saturday August 23rd. I feel like time is seriously flying by. In a matter of days I will be hugging my first family "Hello" for the first time!
Yesterday my INCREDIBLE Mom, along with the help of my Sister and Dad, threw me an amazing going away party! All of my family and close family friends were there and that was really special to me! Everyone was SO beyond kind, generous, supportive, and caring. You are all the best people, and I am way too lucky to have each of you in my life. I said many Good-byes, which felt to strange, and had many laughs. The food was so delicious. The hard work and preparation really paid off, because it was the best time! Thanks to everyone who generously came to support me!
Today my family went up to SeaTac airport along with the first host family, and many amazing Rotary Youth Exchange Counselors, leaders, and the Midday president to welcome Marie, the Gig Harbor Exchange student from Germany! She will be here the year that I am gone and my family will be her second host family during the year, having her from early December to March! She was really sweet and seemed very happy to see us all waiting for her! From there we all went our separate ways. And my family went out for a delicious good ole' lunch at Red Robin! I am counting down the days...and continue to be feeling disbelief! I am so excited!
The last few weeks have been very hectic, but extremely fun! On Thursday, August 7th, I went to San Francisco to get my Visa at the Chilean Consulate (Finally!!). I woke up at 4 AM left my house at 4:30 and from there drove straight to the airport to catch my flight at 6:15. Driving so early in the morning taught me two lessons about life 1) There are some very aggressive drivers. They make stupid decisions and are rude. 2) 103.7 plays awesome 90's music at 4 AM. I highly recommend waking up at 4 AM just to listen to that station. Not really. But if you are up and it's convenient take my advice! When my Dad and I finally arrived at the airport he got his gate pass and we went straight through security thanks to TSA Pre-check and went straight to the gate! It was the best timing. I was the last one to board, yet I wasn't rushed. Maybe a little. But on that early flight I was able to see the sunrise through the clouds, and the 3 most beautiful mountains in Washington. Mt. Rainier looked breathtaking with the sunrise shining and the snowy peaks looked unreal. About 2 or so hours later I landed and went to baggage claim to meet my Travel Agent who would be accompanying me to the Consulate. While I waited I met another girl going to Santiago, Chile! She was really nice and we had a great time the entire day! From there, all 3 of us took the B.A.R.T to the beautiful building that held the Chilean Consulate of San Francisco! Here is a summary of everything that happened in that tiny, tiny, TINY white room while we got our Visa's: They would call us up, ask us some questions, we would sort through the paper work, make a lot of signatures, fingerprint and in the end finally obtain the beautiful, wonderful, glorious stamp on a page in our Passport to prove we have a Student Visa for the year. That took about 4 and a half hours....of mostly sitting and waiting! Once we were finally out, we went to a huge shopping mall across from the building and ate Panda Express, then shopped for about 30 minutes. From there we had to catch our flight back and went straight to the airport. But it was great seeing San Francisco for all of the 10 minutes I actually went outside! On the way back I got to see Crater Lake from my window which looked beautiful!
After about 4 days later, my travel agent booked my flight! I will be travelling through American Airlines, leaving SeaTac at 2:10 PM on August 22nd, arriving at Dallas FT Worth for my connecting flight later that night and from there flying straight to Santiago to arrive at 8:05 AM on Saturday August 23rd. I feel like time is seriously flying by. In a matter of days I will be hugging my first family "Hello" for the first time!
Yesterday my INCREDIBLE Mom, along with the help of my Sister and Dad, threw me an amazing going away party! All of my family and close family friends were there and that was really special to me! Everyone was SO beyond kind, generous, supportive, and caring. You are all the best people, and I am way too lucky to have each of you in my life. I said many Good-byes, which felt to strange, and had many laughs. The food was so delicious. The hard work and preparation really paid off, because it was the best time! Thanks to everyone who generously came to support me!
Today my family went up to SeaTac airport along with the first host family, and many amazing Rotary Youth Exchange Counselors, leaders, and the Midday president to welcome Marie, the Gig Harbor Exchange student from Germany! She will be here the year that I am gone and my family will be her second host family during the year, having her from early December to March! She was really sweet and seemed very happy to see us all waiting for her! From there we all went our separate ways. And my family went out for a delicious good ole' lunch at Red Robin! I am counting down the days...and continue to be feeling disbelief! I am so excited!
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