Mendoza

Well, since I was able to change Universities I had a week off between ILP and the start of my classes at my new school, La Catolica. So last week I decided to visit Mendoza, Argentina with a few friends. Mendoza is located in the western central part of the Argentina just right over the mountains. It was only a 7 hour bus ride and also a very pretty one with all the snow in the mountains. Mendoza was a really cool small town. The people were very nice and I loved the way it was set up with the main plaza in the center with a promenade and all the houses and apartments around the center. Every night there were tons of people strolling and hanging out. There was also an arts and crafts fair where I was able to talk to some locals and buy some fun souveniers. In Mendoza we stayed in a hostel for 4 nights. There were a lot of people staying there and it was fun talking to everyone and going to the social events. The bedroom I stayed in had 8 twin beds in the walls, like cubbies, with a little "privacy" curtain. Although you don't get much sleep through all the hustle, it was still a really fun experience. The first day we walked around the town, had dinner and then ate some really good ice cream! Argentina is known for its beef, and I don't think I've eaten that much consecutively, ever. The next day we went on a horse back riding excursion for the whole day. In Mendoza there were all sorts of out door excursions to choose from which was really cool. I'm so glad we went horse back riding though because it was soooo fun! We got to ride in the middle of nowhere for the whole day and got to hear about the political and economic history of Argentina, which is really fascinating. The history is very rich and recent and it was so fascinating to hear about it from someone young who lived through it. It was an amazing day and I never wanted it to end. The next day we went for a long walk to this huge park and hiked up a small hill where we were able to see the town and the stadium where some of the Copa America games were played. After we went wine tasting, because Mendoza is known for all of its wineries. We went to two places and then a place where you try different olive oils. Now I'm back in Santiago and classes start on Monday so I'm working on trying to figure out my schedule. It was difficult enough to figure out all of the UCI systems and now trying to learn a new one in Spanish is even worse! It will be nice in a couple weeks once all of that gets settled. Other than that things are still going great and I'm having an awesome time.

The bus ride

Lots of parks and plazas!

Driving into Mendoza

Cabalgatas (Horseback Riding)

My Address!

So I finally figured out my address for mail.... 

Lauren Grazier

UC Study Center (EAP)

Avda. Jaime Guzmán 3300

Providencia, Santiago, Chile 

South America

ILP is over and now we have a week off of school, so I am heading to Mendoza, Argentina this Sunday which is about 7 hours by bus through the Andes. It is supposed to be gorgeous. More exciting stories to come soon, stay tuned!! :)

Hola Todos!

So tomorrow is the last day of the ILP program and I have a presentation and test tomorrow, I've been out all day and here I am writing a blog. So this week has been a little stressful because I've been dealing with the end of ILP and the beginning of school. So as I think I mentioned before about 1/4 of our group is attending Universidad de Chile, or more commonly known as La Chile, and the rest are going to attend La Catolica. We "La Chile" people have been having problems because everything is very "wishy-washy" right now because of all the protests. Apparently there have been many protests here in the past but none like this one right now. Its actually pretty cool to be here right now at this very historical time for the entire education system here in Chile. I don't exactly know all of whats going on but I'm going to do my best to explain and regurgitate what i've been told. From what I understand many of the financial problems are a little similar to what is going on with the California public universities but to a larger degree and with a combination of other governmental issues. For the past 2 1/2 months this strike has been going on and it continues to escalade. Every thursday that I've been here there have been huge marches that I can't even imagine (cause we've been told to stay away), with a estimated 100,000 people. There are signs and graffiti all throughout Santiago (buses, walls, windows) about the education problem especially in front of the schools. Not only are the students at La Chile on strike but the faculty also. Classes are supposed to start monday but from what we have heard there is no way that is going to happen. Also, there is no one who is able to give us and answer to when they will start because everyone says something different and no one knows, not even the people in charge of the university. So if hypothetically classes don't start until october and we miss two months of school then that is tacked onto the end and would make the semester potentially go to february. This is a major problem for those of us only staying for the semester and who have to return home to our home universities. So we met today and were given the option to switch schools to La Catolica (which i believe is private). La Catolica is a lot more regimented and on schedule and not on strike to the exent of la chile. As well as the faculty are not on strike. As cool as it would be to go to La Chile, I've decided to switch because there is just no way I can stay here past when i was planning to go home. Basically in Chile there is a large gap between the rich and poor. There is not really a middle class. This country has gone through huge economic and political changes throughout the past 40 years and because it has been so rapid there are a lot of problems. Right now there is a movement by the wealthy (including government) to privitize education to profit earning companies and the people are very against this. The only power the people have is their voices and the rest belongs to the rich. The people also believe that everyone has the right to higher education but don't believe it is possible with the "high" tuition (high for them, but low compared to UC). Also, here there is not really FAFSA or the types of scholarships that give people the chance to attend college who don't have the means. People want a change in the system of education to give more people the opportunity and want it fast. I think that technology and social networking also play a big part in all of this. Also the strike has definitely extended to more areas then just education. Someone was telling me also how before with the military coup in the 70s, protesting was banned and repressed and so now there all of the repressed anger and frustration with the government, economy is coming out the the whole city is uniting and demanding a change. I also heard that now that the city is out of the Copa America the strikes are most likely going to escalade because of the focus shifting to the strikes. People are also mad with the government because they want to build dams in patagonia, a project called HidroAysen. I think this strike is against the small population of rich people and big companies and the desire to spread the wealth more to the people. So in all its really cool to learn about everything going on and to be living through it. Luckily I am able to change schools though and still have the opportunity to go to class and everything. I hope to take some sort of history class so I can learn more about everything going on here and be able to understand it all better.

Weekend Trip to La Serena/ Valle de Elquis

Alrighty, so a ton has happened since I last posted as usual!!! First off I just have to say it is so surreal that I am here and doing this cause I knew that this was something I always really wanted to do but I was never sure that everything would work out and I would be able to. Every single day is just the best day ever and I am sooo happy to be here. Living here and just being in Chile is so awesome and I never want it to end. I was reflecting the other day, thinking about how I always used to hear that I should enjoy high school cause its the best time of my life, then when i started college, to enjoy college cause its the best time of my life, but i was never completely convinced... but I know for sure, that right now, IS the Best time of my life and I will always look back on this experience with nostalgia. I know it is not everyday you get this kind of opportunity and I am just so thankful and happy to be here and doing this!!! So on Thursday, our entire group went to this vineyard called "Concho y Toro" and went wine tasting. It was pretty interesting and fun. I never really liked wine before, but I think that now I can tell a good one from a bad one. We tried some good stuff. On Friday we watched a movie in class called Machuca which is a movie based on some of the recent history in Chile which was really good and moving. Pretty sad though, but really good. For this weekend everyone formed groups and got to plan a trip to somewhere to do some assignment for our classes. In my group there were 5 of us and we traveled the farthest, up to La Serena, which is about 7 hours by bus. I'm so glad we figured out the buses cause they are so easy and pretty reasonable, also you can pretty much get anywhere. When we got to La Serena late Friday night it was raining and we stayed in a hostel. It was horrible and we got ripped off!! They took us to like this warehouse type thing that was really dirty and had like wires hanging and beds that were kinda iffy. It was kinda cool that we were the only ones there, but it wasn't all that great. Lets just say I learned my lesson about hostels and won't make the same mistake again of agreeing to stay somewhere without seeing it first and planning ahead. Also I think I know now what a hostel should cost. So the next day we woke up early and walked around the city, to the crafts fair and just explored a little. Then some other girls in my group planned for us to stay at someone else in the program host mom's house. So we paid before (not my idea) and found out we had to take a bus to get to it. We told the bus helper (kinda like flight attendant but in a bus) where our stop was before we left so he could help us with where to go. SO were on the bus for like 1 1/2 hours inland and he says "ok chiquios" (which is like "guys") here's your stop, so we get off and its the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE on a highway in the mountains!!! I had no idea where we were or who's bright idea this was but i was like oh my goodness, where in the world are we. Luckily we found a taxi driver and told him where we were trying to go and he took us to the house in this small little pueblito where we were clearly out of place. We end up at this really old small wooden door that ends up taking about 30 min to figure out how to open. We get it open and the place is disgusting!!! It was all dusty, there was stuff everywhere, no hot water, the "kitchen" looks like a play stove full of dishes. There were only 3 beds. One was just a matress, the other was one blanket that had dirt on it and no sheets, and the 3rd looked like someone had just got out of it. It wasn't made. There was used cups next to the bed and you can just imagine the rest. Soooo we all decided that there was no way we could stay there, leave our stuff and start walking to see if we could find somewhere else. Luckily we stumble on these "cabanas" and end up staying there for cheaper then we paid for the other place. Clean sheets, hot water, tv, a table, free soap! The guy was really nice and we were the only ones there. (big shock, i know) So that all ended up working out which was great. It was just definitely an adventure I will never forget. It was actually a really pretty scenery and we watched futbol that night and it was really fun. During all this we had seen that taxi driver again and one of the girls decided to ask him if we all paid him would he drive us to some around the valley and to a pisco distellery and all that. So the next day we did that and it was really cool. The man turned out to be really nice and was able to give us our own little tour. If you don't know pisco is a type of alchohol that is reallly popular in Chile, made from grapes. The tour was in Spanish and he was talking reallly fast so I didn't catch everything but it was pretty cool. So after that we went back to a town a little bigger called Vicunia and walked around the town and then watched to Chile partido, which the unfortunaltely lost :( After that we left for home at 9:45pm. I got home at 7 am this morning, showered, ate and went straight to class (i am the only one from our group who made it to class). It was quite an adventure and if it was up to me I definitely would have planned the trip differently, but the cool thing about going along with other people's plans is that you get to do things that you would have never been able to otherwise. So i would say the trip was a success and very fun! so until next time!! chao and enjoy the pictures!

wine tasting at concha y toro!

the hostel, it was actually a really warm bed

crafts feria in la serena! got a few gifts here ;)

i wonder why this town isn't on the map?

trying to open the door of the place we didn't stay at.

our taxi driver/ chofer for sunday

the drive, very majestic

Watch out for Chile in COPA AMERICA!!

So things have been going really good! I've been keeping busy which is good for me, even though it can be at times, really tiring! I keep telling one of my friends, I can't believe I've only been here for 2 weeks, cause it feels like it has been so much longer because i've done and learned soooo much already! Its actually good that it is going by slow because I love this country and living here. I actually had some big news the other day, because at the end of the first month we decide if we want to look for other housing or stay with our families and I decided that I am going to stay! Mi mama chilena and hermano chileno were really happy as was I because I am really getting comfortable here and loving it. I'm going to be paying about what I pay at school and still get meals and my laundry done which is great! We didn't have much of a weekend since we had school on Saturday, but it was one of our fellow students birthday and we all went out to an area called Bella Vista, which is basically where a lot of night life is. Its actually a really cool place with a ton of bars and discotecs and anything you can imagine. We've had some good times! Also I've been doing a lot of exploring during the day after class which is fun and helps me get my barrings. I still easily get really turned around. There are a lot of streets that curve and some that are one way which makes things pretty confusing. A friend and I actually got really lost one day when trying to get back home, ended up walking around for like 2 hours and finally giving in and taking a taxi. It was aweful! Especially because if you don't know where you are giong then the taxi drivers drive you around in circles so you have to pay them more. It stinks and I hate them!!! But fortunately as long as I've been here i've only had to take two. And both times was ripped off. But anyways enough of the taxi rant. Its actually really cool to me that EVERYONE uses public transportation whether its the metro or buses or both. I love it cause you can get anywhere without a car. Its crazy how many people use public transportation or "TransSantiago" but basically they get really full, and if you want to use the metro in rush hour, FORGET IT!! Oh another cool thing we did was on Sunday a group of us heard about this market a little more south of the city, but not all the way, and ended up going and it was quite an adventure! It was ALL local people and there were food vendors selling all kinds of stuff and clothing vendors and trinket vendors and books and scarfs and shoes and just anything you could ever imagine. It was just a really neat experience seeing a different area of town and seeing what types of things people do who live here. Another cool thing we did was today, we got a tour of "La Moneda" which is basically like the white house of Chile, where the president works. He actually doesn't live there though. But it was pretty cool. The tour was a little boring but the whole experience was pretty cool. Then after we went with our "cultural groups" and ate and watched the Chile futbol game! It was 0-0 the whole game and Chile scored in like the last minute. It was soooo exciting!! But yeah the Copa America has been really fun to follow. This weekend a group of 5 of us are traveling up to La Serena which I'm really excited for because supposedly it is really pretty there. Other then that, I think thats all for now... sorry my thoughts are kinda disorganized but i've kinda just been spilling the contents of my brain as the thoughts come to me. haha. Missing you all! Chao!

This is the view of Santiago from "Cerro Santa Lucia" 

This is the administration building of my school which is still on strike

"La Moneda" ... where the president works :)

Our "cultural group" right before we ate and watched the "partido" or futbol game!

1st week of class... almost over!

So today is Friday and we’ve almost finished our first week of classes for the language program. Each day we didn’t have to start school until 2:00 which is really nice, but next week we start at 9:00. But maybe it will help me be less of a bum in the morning. So far my Spanish skills are ok, I feel like there are definitely a lot of people who are doing a lot better then me, and its hard, but I think overall I am learning. I’ve noticed that coming in I expected more of a light bulb to go off in my head and I’d be able to speak well but I’m figuring out that it is more of a gradual process. But also, I know that a lot of others are struggling too so that doesn’t make me feel as bad. So my relationship with my family is growing a lot too, and I’m really liking them. I taught my brother how to play “spite and malice” (a card game we play) and he learned really fast. It was fun. Unfortunaltly, the other day when I was at home alone waiting for them to come home, my mom and brother had got in a bus accident!! It was horrible and they both have a lot of pain. They spent the whole day filling out paper work and going to the hospital. But now she keeps telling me when I am on the bus to hold on as tight as I can cause the bus drivers are crazy!!! And they are, I’m not really that surprised there was an accident. Its funny because the bus drivers drive as fast as they can to get from point A to point B but then the cab drivers drive SUPER slow because you’re paying them for the amount of time you’re in the cab. It’s dumb. OH yeah another cool thing I wanted to share which is just like a fun fact sort of on the same topic is that the roads are really efficient to combat the morning and evening commuter traffic. On select major roads in the morning the roads are one way towards the center of town then during the day, then they are normal and during the evening the road switches to being one way away from the center of Santiago. I just think that is the most efficient thing, but I’m not really sure how they switch because it seems like it would be a little dangerous, especially the way people drive here. Haha. One of these days I’m going to stand on the street at the time it changes so I can see the switch. Also, lastly the Copa America is going on right now and Chile is playing tonight! A few nights ago Chile played Mexico and won 2-1. It was really exciting cause they came back from behind. And tonight for the game we’re going to go watch it somewhere, so that will be really fun because people get really into it! My mission today is to find a Chile shirt to wear during the game!! But yeah I think that’s all for now. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the blog, more to come soon J -Lorena. 

This is another picture of the campus I am at right now. Its cool cause there are always a lot of people around hanging out, playing music, dancing, eating, making posters for the strikes, etc. It's a really cool atmosphere!

Our kitty, Chanchito ;)

This is the hallway and one of the classrooms on the left.

Viva America! (happy 4th of july)

So I'm starting to find that its really hard to decide what to write in this blog because there is just sooo much to say and its so difficult to organize my thoughts and get it all out. It is impossible not to miss anything because just so many amazing things are happening. First off I want to say I'm so happy that you are reading and enjoying this blog and it is really encouraging to get comments from you all, and sorry if I am not able to reply to all of them its just that everyday has been so busy! Next thing, I LOVE all the people that are in our EAP group. There are about 45 of us from University of California and I didn't realize how much time we were all going to be spending together and stuff but its great. I am becoming great friends with a lot of people from all different UC's and everyone is just so nice and gets along so well. We have been having a blast. Last weekend we traveled to Algarrobo which is a small "pueblito" or town by the ocean. It was so beautiful and the sunsets were absolutely amazing! The water was crystal clear and since it is winter there were not many people there besides us. It was great. Apparently a bunch of people walked a couple miles down and saw the worlds largest pool but unfortunately I didn't get the chance to. We had our orientations of the schools were going to and just had a fun bonding trip. I am going to be going to Universidad de Chile along with 9 others out of the 45. The rest are going to La Catolica. Apparently there have been some problems with UChile but I am really excited and its going to be a great experience. At UChile the students have been protesting for a couple months because they don't get enough money from the goverment among other things and there is just some serious history happening right now there. A few days ago was a big protest and we were told to stay far from the center of town cause apparently they had about 100,000 people in the streets protesting. Its crazy. But i'm excited. Also, I found out that we have the opportunity to get an internship which is really awesome and their are many to choose from. There are so many to choose from I have no idea how I am going to pick just one. Tonight, there was a 4th of July Celebration at "California Cantina" it was pretty cool cause it was a taste of home and there were just a lot of people there and a lot going on. I also had a nice big burger and some awesome fries which was just great. OH yeah, and we figured out the bus and took it all the way there and back which I was soooo proud that we figured it out. Its crazy because the drive soooo crazy and fast and you never know where the stops are because they all look exactly the same but we made it home so its all good. One more quick thing is that there are a ton of stray dogs in all the streets and its so sad because they seem so hungry and just want some love, but its really funny because every time we walk home at night a dog tags along. One night this dog tagged along and would bark profusely at and cars that drove by or people. It was really funny, but actually had some close calls. Very precious though, I wish I could just give them all a home. But anyway thats all for now, time for bed cause tomorrow is the first day of ILP (intensive language program). Buenas Noches.

Sunset the first night in Algarrobo. Amazing!

Abandoned restaurant. I didn't notice this till after saw the picture but the wall says "Te Amo" and my head is the "e". 

Statue with a bible verse by the beach.

There were some really pretty murals!

We went on a mini hike and this was looking out from the rock i was sitting on.

These flowers are everywhere and they are so cool and pretty!

And, I finally took a picture of our appartment building. We are the bottom right.

I can get used to living here :)

June 29, 2011

Today was my first day with my host family. I live with a middle aged mother and her son who is the same age as me. Neither of them speak any English, which is good for me to learn Spanish better but also makes some things difficult. There were a lot of times when they would say something to me and I would just nod and smile. I feel bad but it’s the best I can do. But just after one day I feel like I am doing a little bit better. There is so much to say I don’t know what to start with. They live in a 3 bedroom apartment and live a very simple life compared to what I am used to. They don’t have a car and walk or take the bus everywhere. Today it was raining so the only time we left the house was to get a “tarjeta de BIP” which is for the bus and metro. For lunch Vesna, mi mama, made soup for the first course and then chicken with vegetables. It was really good. And I had brought them a box of sees candy and they loved it!! They love chocolate. Then when we “tomar once” which to me basically means eat dinner we had oatmeal in yogurt and egg, turkey, and cheese sandwiches. Right now it is really cold in the house because they don’t have a heater and it is less then 30 degrees outside. So far it has been a great day and tomorrow we have our orientation. Every day is something new because I don’t know much of the plan and what my family explained to me, I didn’t understand completely. Haha. Hasta luego. -Lauren

.... so the last post i wrote was before the wifi in our house worked but now my hermano got it working :)

Friday July 1, 2010

So where do I begin. Well I really like the family that I am living with they are very open and nice. Also understandable when I don't know what they are saying. Also we usually eat together which is really nice. I've been drinking a lot of tea because it is so cold and it tastes really good, especially with the "sucre liquida" ( or liquid sugar). Yesterday we met at the campus in the morning and had some orientation type speeches where we just learned more about whats going to be happening. Then we met in groups with our "monitores culturales" which i think basically means she goes to our school and is our first chilean friend. We had lunch together and basically just asked her questions about different things. After a big group of people walked to "Lider" which is basically wal-mart to buy cell phones. I think we bought almost all the cell phones they had it was pretty funny. So I have one now to communticate with people here which is nice. I had no idea what to do with it though and when i came home just laid it all on mi hermanos bed and was like here can you fix this for me?? Haha. Luckily he is better with technology then I am. Later I went out with some friends and it was nice to. It is perfect because I live in between the campus we are at right now and the main street in the community where we live "Nunoa". Also a girl in the same program lives at the same appartment complex as me on the third floor!! Its perfect cause we just walk everywhere together :) Yesterday one girl was really turned around and for got where she lived so we walked her home and figured it out. This weekend we are going to a small town near the coast for an orientation weekend with the group. It is supposed to be reallllly cold though!! It has been so cold the past few days, but today the sun came out which was really nice and the view of the Andes was awesome!! They are soooo close, its crazy! Oh yeah also to keep me warm at night I have a "cama caliente" which is basically a electric blanket, so thats really nice :)  I think thats all for now. <3

(my brother is playing Juanes loud right now cause i told him that I like Juanes.... hahah. )

This is where we are doing our language immersion program for the first month. Most people say it looks like Hogwarts. I'll try and take a picture inside. When you go through the doors it is all open and the hall are outside. 

The Andes this morning. The picture doesn't do the view justice. 

The breakfast mi mama set up for me this morning. Our favorite thing to eat is in the cup with the spoon on the right, its "yoghurt con avena" (yogurt and oats)

My room! At the foot of my bed is the closet and on the left there is a little table and chair.