Hope ya'll are doing well tonight... It is a Friday night after all. Thus, you are all probably wondering why a party-animal like me is not out on the town, but instead is updating her blog. Well, good question. The reason is I am absolutely exhausted. This morning a few girls and I headed out pretty early for Valparaíso, Chile (on the Pacific Ocean, about 1.5 hours from Santiago, I was pretty much there last weekend too... But it's just soo close and beautiful). Anyways, we had a fun-filled day of wandering through the colorful streets of Valpo (as it is so affectionately called) as well as venturing up and down the cerros (or hills) of the city. In fact, Valpo is so hilly that they installed ascensores (elevators) to go up and down the hills. The first was actually constructed in 1883, I think, and there are about 15 in total that have been declared Historical Monuments. Very cool, and steep. But the view... maravillosa. Besides walking around, seeing the sites, taking elevator rides, we also hopped on a boat - yes, a boat - and took a little boat ride around the port/harbor. Pretty amazing if I'm completely honest. The coolest part was probably the fact that we saw multiple seals!! Yes, seals, actual, real, live, seals.... But it gets better. We also saw a PENGUIN. A PENGUIN. I thought I would have to trek down to Patagonia to see one of those in the wild. But nope, there was a cute little penguin just chillin' in the Valpo harbor, splish-splashin' away like nobody's business. I kinda wanted to steal him and take him home in my backpack. Wait, does that sound familiar to anybody? :) Anyways, Valpo was a complete success. ((Oh might I add an interesting fact about the port? This is particularly for my dad, who I know will find this fascinating. After Chile's powerful and destructive 1985 earthquake, Chile or Valpo or someone sold the Valparaíso port to the Germans, who currently own and control the Valpo port until 2020, I believe. Kinda interesting, eh? Now, note that my source was the 15-year-old Chilean boy who served as our "tour-guide" on this little boat ride, but I think he was pretty legit.))
Quick cultural note on Valpo: The city is beautiful and charming with all the hills, the ocean, and all the colorful houses that build upon one another up and down all the hills. However, it is a different type of beautiful and charming. Valpo is not a ritzy place. In fact, I would say (and my Chilean friend confirmed) that the majority of those living in Valpo are at least a little below middle class. (Note: Chile's middle class is not like the middle class of the US. Even though Chile is considered the most economically developed country in Latin America, its standards of living are substantially lower than those we as US citizens are used to.) Do not be mistaken, even though the colorful little homes are charming, I don't think they're "cute" like most people might think of "cute." To speak frankly, they aren't the most well-kept homes and things aren't always clean, nice, and organized. (And I'm not saying that everything is all nice and clean in the US. I mean, we all know that is not true.) In fact, much of Santiago is like this as well. I guess the reason I am going on and on about this is because I think it is easy, being an affluent and completely blessed US citizen studying abroad at a private university, to see everything through rose-colored glasses. I know I did that a little in Spain. People are hurting here in Chile. Times are tough and things are not easy just like in much of the world. Chile may be thriving economically with its exportation. However, I would say that the majority of Chileans are definitely not "thriving." Chilean society is very economically segregated. Most of the money lies at the top.
Okay, but I am stopping there. That was only supposed to be a side-"note" so I'll move on. Yesterday was a pretty legit day as well for me. If you must know, my friend Amanda and I ventured into one of my favorite barrios in Santiago and found a cute, trendy coffee shop (El Observatorio), which reminded me quite a bit of Chicago. Then we met up with two more friends for lunch at a place called Malas Artes. Very trendy and fun. Then for photography class we went to two museums and took pictures around the park and that same barrio. It was one of those days that you just wanted to deeply breathe in and absorb. Kinda like today. It was just good. Words cannot describe how blessed I am to be here, and for my last semester of college, might I add. Way to go out with a bang, eh? Bittersweet though, ya know? I miss Loyola, Chicago, my friends (roomies!), family, and the whole nine yards. But you're only 21 and in college for a little bit, right? I better "live it up" while I can. Meaning I better get back to my fomé (lame) Friday night and get to bed early!! Whatever, don't judge me, it was a long day and I am stoked to sleep in tomorrow.
Alrighty, I'm peacin' out. Check out the new photo album on the left.
Besitos a todos,
Sarah
PS I think I am allergic to the detergent they use here... :/ Going to JUMBO tomorrow to see if I can find some Tide as well as a fanny-pack (they are super popular here and I want to blend in!!). Hahaha.
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