My classes ended on Wednesday so these past few days I have been studying and working on things needed for next semester (yes, I know it’s lame, but it needs to get done!). I did have a break after my classes. The study abroad program officially ended around noon on Wednesday so I got the rest of the day to do things!
Sadly, I spent about half of the rest of Wednesday packing and moving into my new host house. (I did not realize how much stuff I had until I needed to move…I do not know how I am going to bring everything back!). However, in the midst of packing, I did have an opportunity to go to SkyCostanera and watch Despicable Me 3 in Spanish with some friends that are staying a few extra weeks after the study abroad program. It was pretty convenient since we could do both activities in the same shopping center: Costanera.
From watching Despicable Me 3, I am really surprised at how far I have come with my Spanish comprehension! I was able to catch most of the conversations (probably because there was context to everything, but still! I want to give myself the benefit of the doubt). Sky Costanera is one of the major tourist attractions in Santiago. It is the tallest tower in Latin America with 64 floors and has a 360° view on the top floor. You can see the whole city of Santiago! Pretty cool!! We went around 5pm (or 17:00) so we got to see Santiago at 3 different times: in the afternoon, during the sunset, and at night. Afternoon and sunset times were not as impressive as I had expected since there was a lot of smog. Still a little sad about that. However, it was pretty amazing at night with all the lights!
Since it’s my last few nights here in Santiago, I have been trying to plan my excursions accordingly. However, things have not been going as well as I had hoped because a lot of the activities I want to do are outdoors and it’ll be raining for half of the week as of now. Hopefully the weather will get better! Santiago’s weather is pretty unpredictable…. it changes every few hours (at least on my weather app it does).
Before the dramatic change in weather on Saturday (it snowed the first time in like 7 years!!), I did go to a park: Parque Natural Quebrada de Macul. It is a park that is very close to the Andes with an amazing view.
I have been thinking about what it will be like going back to the States. Before my study abroad program ended, the coordinators of the program gave the students a presentation about assimilating back into the US and American culture. I didn’t think that would be an issue, but now that I think about it, going back to the US WILL be different and WOULD take some getting used to. It’s hard to believe that I have spent 2 months in a different country, speaking a different language and immersing myself in a different culture. Honestly, I feel like I have adapted to life in Santiago. So much so that a part of me doesn’t want to leave. In Santiago, I have more freedom to explore and plan my day the way I want. Since I am a very curious person, during these past 7 weeks, I have roamed around and gone into different stores and cafes just to study or look around. This will probably change once I’m back in the US.
When I get back to the States, I think one thing that I am very nervous about is the possibility of getting bored. I tend to like being busy all the time and when I get home, I don’t really have anything to do…. I guess I can plan my schedule at home before I leave Santiago.
Thanks for reading! :]
I will be posting again in a week or so!
Chao,
Rose