Una nunca sabe!

After a two and a half hour flight from Charlotte to Houston, I only had 30 minutes to take a shuttle and run to the opposite end of the airport for my next flight’s take-off. I arrived in Panama City and was confused whether I had to get my luggage and go through security again or go straight to the terminal. I didn’t see my flight number to Chile on the board in the Panama airport. I nervously approached the woman at the service center to ask in Spanish where I was supposed to go for my next flight in an hour, and she told me I didn‘t have the right ticket. I was bummed when I arrived to the Santiago airport (at 3am Eastern Time) and one of my suitcases didn’t show up on the conveyor belt. I was concerned when I wasn’t sure if the airline cared that one of my bags was missing. I was worried when the taxi dropped me off at the hostel, and the nightshift worker said there were no beds available and I had to sleep on the couch. I was uncomfortable when he said he made a mistake and there actually was one bed open…in the room with 12 other wandering travelers.

I’m out of my element, out of my comfort zone…but I’m starting to think this translates into adventure! :)

After I fell asleep for a few hours in the room with 12 strangers, I awoke to a bustling as everyone was getting ready for the day. I went out to the common area (as if the room with 12 bunk beds wasn’t already a common area haha) to find what seemed like a home and a family. A few people were making breakfast in the kitchen, another was reading on the couch, and some were packing up to continue on their way. Based on the various conversations, I could tell immediately that these people were from all over the world…how awesome! I sat on the couch with my computer, hoping there was wireless internet so I could feel like I was back in the comfort of my own apartment in Charlotte…just for a few minutes. I thought to myself, is this what it feels like to be homesick? Fortunately, that feeling went away very quickly as I met a handful of the others in the hostel, most of them about my age. One, from Colombia, was kind enough to call Copa Airlines for me to hassle them about my lost suitcase. Then, I met a married couple that was starting the TeachingChile program too! They’re from Texas and have been traveling through South America for a few weeks. They were finishing up their TEFL certification at the last minute and the husband has never taught before. Yay, some people I can relate to!!

I called Romi around 10am and told her my situation with my lost suitcase. She advised me that she could keep calling the airline for me, and if it arrived in Santiago, Nelo’s (Paula’s brother) in-laws could pick it up. So even though I thought I’d stay in Santiago one more day to get my suitcase, I decided to get on my way to the bus terminal and head to Viña del Mar! After two hours, I arrived in the beautiful town to find Romi and Panchi waiting for me at the bus station. I was so excited to see friendly faces! I felt refreshed and excited to spend time with them and explore Viña. We hopped into a taxi (while most families own one car, not everyone drives) to head back to their apartment and the conversations in Spanish really began. One of the first things we talked about was lunch. The girls were telling me about what they had prepared, and in a Spanish spelling, it sounded like ‘lasania’. I was so confused about what they were talking about…I had never heard the word lasania before…I don’t think? A few conversations later, I finally decided to just ask them. To my embarrassment, they were actually saying lasagna!! This whole time I was trying to translate the word from Spanish to English, which it turns out was unnecessary…lasagna is lasagna. I think I was trying too hard! Hahah

After lunch, we were lazy (floja) the rest of the day. We took naps, ate again, and then went to see a movie with their cousin, David, and friends Gaby and Pablo. By the time the movie let out after midnight, I was ready to crash.

Yesterday morning, we slept in until 11 (don‘t be jealous, it‘s my vacation for a few more days), had a delicious breakfast full of pastries (my new favorite treat with raspberries and cream!) and then headed for the beach in an area of Viña called Reñaca. It was gorgeous! The beaches here are definitely similar to the beaches on the West Coast of the U.S. You can see in the photos I posted that it is very hilly (is that a word?) and rocky. I love it! For lunch we enjoyed some empanadas in a little café on the coast! In case you are not familiar with empanadas, they are meat/cheese/yummy goodness-stuffed pastries…very common in Chile and very delicious…mmm!

Needless to say, the girls are taking wonderful care of me. I’m so grateful for all of their hospitality, and we are having a great time vacationing until school starts Monday!

Today we’re heading to the Centro (center of town), so I can run some errands…exchange dollars for Chilean pesos, buy a cell phone, etc. I think we might go bowling tonight with a group of people and then go out for a drink? We’ll see!!

One more thing, my favorite phrase so far is from Panchi…’Una nunca sabe’…translates to ‘One never knows!’ :)

Love you all, talk to ya soon!
LG