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.