Week 10

Like many of the other weeks during our three months study abroad, this week in Chile flew by quickly. Time passes quickly here mainly because we have many entertaining activities going on. On Tuesday we visited El Museo de Bellas Artes. Then on Wednesday most of the group went paintballing in the forest, which ended up in a lot of people getting painful bruises, but overall everyone had a great time. On Thursday it was Launa’s 20th birthday. We played soccer right after school, and then most of us went to a beautiful Thai dinner. (Yes, we had Thai food in Chile, strange I know). Launa made a toast and said, “this has been my best birthday ever, thanks to you guys”. It makes me really happy to know that it is our presence on her birthday that made it such a special night. Later that evening Becka’s mother and sister visiting from San Diego joined us after dinner. We’ve all come to know one another, so it’s a really cool experience when we get to meet each other’s parents.

Probably everyone’s favorite day in Chile thus far, was Saturday. We went white water rafting an hour outside of the city. It was overcast and the water was freezing, but it was an amazing experience! Rafting really helped us bond in ways that we haven’t before. Sunday was a perfect way to end the week. We all went to see the famous Chilean author, Pablo Neruda’s home in Isla Negra. We studied Neruda’s work in our literature class, and this was the third house we have visited during our stay in Chile. This house was by far the most interesting of the three and the most beautiful. It sits perched directly above the ocean in a small beach town.

We’ve already been here two and a half months, and sometimes it feels like we’ve just arrived yesterday. Often, however, it’s easy to forget, and sometimes take for granted, what a truly unique and amazing experience we’re having right now. Every single person has contributed to our collective memories here, and it wouldn’t be the same without each and every person on this adventure. We’ve become each other’s family. I cannot believe we only have two weeks left, and that soon I will have to leave this beautiful country. Most importantly, I don’t know what I’m going to do without my new family by my side everyday.

-Krystle Quilala & Laura Selzer