Cualquieras

Aug 30

Hey guys! Just thought I should update whats been going on so far. Well I had my first class on Thursday! Pretty odd to start classes on a Thursday, but no worries. It sounds like it’ll be an interesting class. Its my Contemporary Hispanic Literature class. We get to read a lot of famous Latin American authors which I’m pretty excited for. The prof is really interesting, he’s half Chinese and half Dominican but speaks perfect Spanish. At one point I forgot he was half Chinese when he was talking to us. But the class should be really interesting. Anyway, later that night I was just exhausted from the heat and passed out on the couch watching the movie Sunshine. (Good movie btw, at least the parts I watched…haha)

This past Friday was a fun day too. Our entire group, with the exception of Jenny, went to a huge Wall-Mart-like store for some clothes shopping for David and the girls. I just kinda came for the adventure. I have plenty of clothes. Anyway, once we arrived and were looking at the clothes, David and I both agreed that the Dominicans and us have a HUGE difference in style. Everything they wear or sell down here is all designed with crazy random drawings on the back or all over the shirts. It’s a bit much. Even when David was looking for jeans, I checked in on his search every now and then and there was a bunch of jeans that were just ridiculous by American standards of style. Just all kinds of zippers, weird pockets, and again random designs on the ass or thigh parts of the jeans. Just kinda crazy. Anyway, later that night we had a reunion of all the families and the students at Lilly’s house (the CIC program director here at PUCMM). That was really fun, getting to meet some of the other families and familiarize ourselves with them. The food was awesome, we all had to help make a dish or two for the dinner. My host mom and I made the rice and salad, which we got many complements on. So thats always nice to hear. But even before we ate, we chatted. Lilly had some icebreakers so that we could get to understand each family and the relationship they have with their students. At the end we all could comment on how we enjoy our experience and our relationship and my family (my host dad) told everyone that I was a real pleasure to have at the house. He said I was a diplomat, very patient, well educated, and very accommodating and easy to please, and for them it was a joy to have me in their house. It was just really incredible to hear that, just too really make you feel a bit more confident. But I can say as well, they are the nicest people, just a joy to be around and talk to you. They make me feel like a son and really welcome here, and I really do appreciate that this is going so well. Anyway, after that cliché gushy reunion, we were able to go out last night to a discoteque called the Vintage Club. We went there last night, danced some merengue, salsa and some well more popular dances. But I got to dance well all the girls in the group, and I know who the best dancer is! But I’m not going to tell! :) Hehe there was an open bar too, which helped with my confidence to dance. After leaving the club though, I couldn’t really hear well until the next morning. Oyi!

Anyways yesterday, was very calm. At least I thought it would be. My host family told me that Maria José (their 5 year old daughter) needed to go to a swimming class at the Centro Español. They said they would be back around 2, but they called me at 11 and told me to come out here taking conchos. I was really nervous to take the conchos out there, cause I had always used the conchos with a Dominican who knew what he was doing, but today I can say I successfully took two conchos to El Centro Español all by myself! Since there are no public buses, these conchos are just cars similar to taxis but just follow a certain route. Similar to CATA, expect they try and fit 6 people in the car made for 4. You get very close to the people you ride with. But hey it only costs 13 pesos which I think which I said before was only like 36 cents back home. But once I arrived there my host dad Juan José was waiting for me and took me inside Centro Español. Just so you know, this was not like a plaza, its like a Country Club, and let me tell you, it was IMPRESSIVE! I met up with Rosanna (my host mom) and Maria José and they gave me two hot dogs with ketchup, mustard and cheese (I told them I don’t really enjoy my hot dogs with mayo-they love it down here on their hot dogs!). But let me tell you, going there it was just very impressive. They have parks for kids to play in, they have multiple tennis courts (you definitely could see that majority of the kids there were well off, with their brand name bags and rackets, etc). The pool was impressive, but what was really impressive, the restaurant and main building. It has the most impressive view of Santiago; it was just incredible to see! There was also a discoteque inside, two bars, billiards room and poker room. I’ll be going back most definitely! Enjoy the pool, pay billiards, and just relax away from the city. Otherwise, I’ve been just lounging around the house. Finally yesterday we went to a concert which was really cool. We got to see a bunch of mergengue and bachata singers and have a few beers (the concert was sponsored by Presidente and boy did they remind you of that everywhere you went). But we checked it out and stayed for a couple of hours enjoying the music and seeing the people, and let me tell you. It was packed! It reminded me of the Folk Festival back home like times 10. But Santiago is wayyyy bigger than EL. Gotta remind myself that every now and then. Otherwise I’m enjoying a Lazy Sunday (like the song! Hehe) and getting ready for my first full week of classes this week! Getting a bit anxious and excited. Kinda hoping too to get some homework to do. Kinda been dull around here without homework, but I’m sure my blogging will slow down after this one once classes finally get going! Well hope all is well down there guys! Miss you all and enjoy your last week of freedom all you MSU kiddies! I’ll see you guys in finals week! :) Que disfrutas y nos vemos!