OK, so went to the Beach House this weekend..it was freaking awesome. I had a balcony, which anyone who has hunted for a house with me knows I love, in addition it had a view to the Ocean..oh how purty...So we got there late on Friday night and stopped at the local grocery store that closes at 11pm...It was dark, dusty, and had 2 guys working in there, I had to scrunge around for tea and milk, kinda reminds me of like the small tahoe storse, though I think those are a lot cuter and cleaner...This town, not the Cachagua, but rather the one right next to it, cause it had the grocery store, had a few vegtable-fruit markets, that were closed and then a outdoor videogame place...how random is that? once we arrived at the playa casa, or casa del playa? well I was pretty tired, and the wonderful person who helped me pack, as I had to work until we left forgot my glasses, so I ended up crashing early since the contacts were dry from the day and market...
on saturday I woke up nice and early made a cup of tea, it was gross!! blind and blurry dawn bought some yucky kind rather then the regular black...ok, have I gripped yet about how chile is awesome, but they tend to only have powdered coffee?? and that I brought beans, but that my grinder broke the 2nd day I was here??
ok, anyways, back to the beach at Zapallar, so we drove around, it was beautiful..not exactly sandy, more like walking around on the cliffs and possiblity of getting hit by the water, but it was really nice for me as I realize I am a beach baby...it is also quite nice in that from one side you see the ocean, and then you look over and there are Mountains, or Hills...geez, my sense of such things are horrid......then after chilling and resting at the beach for a few hours we drove to another little town, papudo, all like 5 minutes away from eachother. At Papudo we went to a restaraunt with an amazing view, well as is sometimes the habit with pretty views (though not always) the food, service and speed had a lot to be desired...
then it was pretty cool cause after lunch we went and did some more grocery shopping, I think the ocean air most of made the folks hungry..and they were all these really dinky shops, so you buy bread from one, meat from another, tea from another etc...and then in the midsts of our shopping there was a huge political rally...well not quite, but a row of about 10 - 15 cars waving flags and shouting the name of their politican of choice...kinda cool, like an old town parade?
Sunday was pretty much the same as Saturday, but we went to Vina Del Mar, which is one of the larger beach towns in this area of Chile, it was awesome, beautiful..and I would say if you were to move to Chile, to move there...yes there are some pretty parts of Santiago, but you cannot beat the unpolluted Ocean views...well I am sure there was some pollution, but none that I could see....That night we had some Mexican, it was, well OK, I think I could make a better dish...but you got to appreciate what is out there...
ttyl
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I survived Independence Day, or was it week? or month?
Well a week after a long weekend, some people think it means the work will be longer? I am not sure...anyways, so I have been working pretty late, but I really do not mind it as the other directors do the same thing..The only thing is there is definately a part of me that feels if I am going to be working trechoursly long hours I would like it to be for either A saving the world, or B cause I am making like LOTS of money..neither which is exactly the case at the moment. but I more or less like my job, the people I work with, responsiblities. In addition I have been looking at this as like a type of stipend to learn Spanish..
On Wednesday I went back to San Cristobal hill, or was it mountain?, I had gone there on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, basically beautiful area in the middle of the city..This time I went with Carla and some guys from Australia. We went up in these little bubble boxy things, kinda the same things that go over the boardwalk, what the heck are they called? and it gives you an amazing view of the Hill-Park as well as the entire city. After that we went to Bella Vista which is kinda like Pacific Beach, well without the Beach, but one of the areas that lots of people go out to in Santiago. It was pretty mellow as not only was it a Wednesday night, but also before 10pm when things start popping...
the weather has been a little odd lately, one day it is like very warm, 25-20 ´, which I think is like 80´, but I really cannot go back and forth on Celsius, or Fahrenheit...and then the next day, like today, it feels like the 60s. So I always bring my Aunties Scarfs in my purse just to make sure that later in the day I will be able to warm up when necessary..
Hmmm, now today, is rather grey, but it is good, cause I can wear my colder weather Friday we are getting ready to go to the Coast for the weekend, pretty awesome we are going to be staying at the Embassy Beach House, kinda feel like a High Roller! the name of the Port is Cayuga or Cachugyua? or? I think, as usually my spelling is probably off...whether it be in English or Spanish...
On Wednesday I went back to San Cristobal hill, or was it mountain?, I had gone there on a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, basically beautiful area in the middle of the city..This time I went with Carla and some guys from Australia. We went up in these little bubble boxy things, kinda the same things that go over the boardwalk, what the heck are they called? and it gives you an amazing view of the Hill-Park as well as the entire city. After that we went to Bella Vista which is kinda like Pacific Beach, well without the Beach, but one of the areas that lots of people go out to in Santiago. It was pretty mellow as not only was it a Wednesday night, but also before 10pm when things start popping...
the weather has been a little odd lately, one day it is like very warm, 25-20 ´, which I think is like 80´, but I really cannot go back and forth on Celsius, or Fahrenheit...and then the next day, like today, it feels like the 60s. So I always bring my Aunties Scarfs in my purse just to make sure that later in the day I will be able to warm up when necessary..
Hmmm, now today, is rather grey, but it is good, cause I can wear my colder weather Friday we are getting ready to go to the Coast for the weekend, pretty awesome we are going to be staying at the Embassy Beach House, kinda feel like a High Roller! the name of the Port is Cayuga or Cachugyua? or? I think, as usually my spelling is probably off...whether it be in English or Spanish...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
MY ADDRESS
is Ave Independencia 391
Puente Alto
Santiago Chile
my cell is 99776850, not sure how you call me..and I have a house number too but cannot remember it at the moment..
Puente Alto
Santiago Chile
my cell is 99776850, not sure how you call me..and I have a house number too but cannot remember it at the moment..
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Independence Day
Well, day one went well...they celebrate for 2 days as National Holidays, but then also the whole weekend-week, and really the whole month....
Like I said earlier, lots of cute kids, and some adults wearing all kindas of random folklore and traditional attire...also there is a drink called ChiCha, it is very sweet, winish-hard alcohol, kinda like a wine cooler? a little too sweet for me. which is saying lots...
So we had 1 grandma, (well great to some) 3 more, that are also Aunts, 1 Uncle (ok first level) then their kids, which are 3 parents, and then tht would make like 10 aunts and uncles, and then like 7 younger age kids, 1 mama dog, and 3 puppies...I think thats right..and enough meat, chicken, cow, pig to feed an army..hmm, besides BBQ, lots of music, card playing, and general fun..started around12pm until 7pm..last party was from like 2pm to 10.30pm, and these Chileans sure do have energy. Did I mention tht my work had a little party too on Tuesday? that was fun, but boo, wanted Empanadas that were not fried with veggies, I think I mentioned this...
For example when you go to Bars or Clubs they are open until like 5am..or maybe later..geez, and there are lots of people there....Last night it was kinda fun we went to a Grunge Party at a club of Carla´s friend..they had a cover band for Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and there was supposed to be one for ALice and Chains and Pearl Jam but they were planning too late for me...It was crazy, I do not think I have seen that many long haired folks my age, in like ever...I definately felt like I was stuck in the 90s..kinda cool, kinda fobby..more cool then not though...and another wierd thing is these cover bands, well no accents when singing, but at the same time could not speak any English..and then the owners of the club played some Jimi Hendrix.....
Very interesting to be completly out of America but to see the impact, of Music, Movies, not sure about Fashion buyt definately some of the same styles....some completly outdated, and some folks could be in any Metropolitan City, oh wait, I guess this is one, so it makes sense.
I am having a good time meeting people, improving Spanish and working. But I am going to be honest in that I miss my friends and family. Everyone here is nice and very welcoming, but it is not the same as the people you have known for your whole life, or who vacate a big part of your heart, or soul....boo..now when I acknowledge this I get even more remorse....but I knew this would happen travelling and living half way across the world...
grr..I want a cookie...
OK, pro of Santiago, when I straighten my hair it stays more straight then not..con, I cannot seem to find the right hair products...but another pro is it looks like there is a way to get Avon out here (they do sell it) so I am going to work on that. I also contacted the AAC, American, some association or something about going to a meeting..this will be a good way to meet folks and at the same time I think they have a book trade...I also found out about some English Bookstores, but really need to make my way to them.My working hours are long, but I think the places will still be open afterwards.
xoxo
ps, no clue on how to change my post style, but working on it.
Like I said earlier, lots of cute kids, and some adults wearing all kindas of random folklore and traditional attire...also there is a drink called ChiCha, it is very sweet, winish-hard alcohol, kinda like a wine cooler? a little too sweet for me. which is saying lots...
So we had 1 grandma, (well great to some) 3 more, that are also Aunts, 1 Uncle (ok first level) then their kids, which are 3 parents, and then tht would make like 10 aunts and uncles, and then like 7 younger age kids, 1 mama dog, and 3 puppies...I think thats right..and enough meat, chicken, cow, pig to feed an army..hmm, besides BBQ, lots of music, card playing, and general fun..started around12pm until 7pm..last party was from like 2pm to 10.30pm, and these Chileans sure do have energy. Did I mention tht my work had a little party too on Tuesday? that was fun, but boo, wanted Empanadas that were not fried with veggies, I think I mentioned this...
For example when you go to Bars or Clubs they are open until like 5am..or maybe later..geez, and there are lots of people there....Last night it was kinda fun we went to a Grunge Party at a club of Carla´s friend..they had a cover band for Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and there was supposed to be one for ALice and Chains and Pearl Jam but they were planning too late for me...It was crazy, I do not think I have seen that many long haired folks my age, in like ever...I definately felt like I was stuck in the 90s..kinda cool, kinda fobby..more cool then not though...and another wierd thing is these cover bands, well no accents when singing, but at the same time could not speak any English..and then the owners of the club played some Jimi Hendrix.....
Very interesting to be completly out of America but to see the impact, of Music, Movies, not sure about Fashion buyt definately some of the same styles....some completly outdated, and some folks could be in any Metropolitan City, oh wait, I guess this is one, so it makes sense.
I am having a good time meeting people, improving Spanish and working. But I am going to be honest in that I miss my friends and family. Everyone here is nice and very welcoming, but it is not the same as the people you have known for your whole life, or who vacate a big part of your heart, or soul....boo..now when I acknowledge this I get even more remorse....but I knew this would happen travelling and living half way across the world...
grr..I want a cookie...
OK, pro of Santiago, when I straighten my hair it stays more straight then not..con, I cannot seem to find the right hair products...but another pro is it looks like there is a way to get Avon out here (they do sell it) so I am going to work on that. I also contacted the AAC, American, some association or something about going to a meeting..this will be a good way to meet folks and at the same time I think they have a book trade...I also found out about some English Bookstores, but really need to make my way to them.My working hours are long, but I think the places will still be open afterwards.
xoxo
ps, no clue on how to change my post style, but working on it.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Work, Life, Viva la Chile
Sorry for the delay in blog...basically I waited a few days last week because there was a job offer that I got, and I wanted to wait and see what happened before I posted anything....
So here is the update, the Language Institute that I teach at, well, I was Dawn, making suggestions, etc..and well about 2 weeks later was offered a position as like the Marketing Director, or such...I am going to be going to different buisness and meetings to promite BEA. I also and doing the outreach to finding more teachers and doing other work around the office. In addition to my regular teaching responsibilities.,..this is cool, cause one, well I like positive valadation from jobs..And two, well I got a contract, which means I am getting a workers VISA which means I am basically on my way to being legal! how cool is that. So ya!! Dawn get´s health care! and Chilean retirment!...well not sure how the retirment funds-pension will help, but good to know it is there...
OK, what else happened, well this last weekend I went up to the Mountains, saw a River, though it kinda seemed like more of a creek to me, but maybe that was just the spot I was looking at. Kinda cool, cactus in one spot, next to a River, which is in the Mountains...Also neat, saw an old man riding a horse with like 3 dogs following him, sorry my descriptive wording is lacking at the moment...Then on Sunday went to Saint Cristobal...it is a really pretty Mountain-Hill that is basically in the middle of the city..very pretty. we drove up it, next time I would like to hike up it. they have like Japanenese Gardens, a Zoo and a ginormous statue of the Virgin Mary...pretty cool....
So this week is Independencia in Chile, super big week...Thursday and Friday are National Holidays! what! what! paid not to work..there are these cute folkore dresses sold everywhere (lots of fairs and street vendors in Chile) and you see lots of school kids wearing the attire for performances or different activities...there is a dance I sorta kinda not really learned at work today called the Quaker...I am sure you could look it up..Empanada´s are all over the place, only problem is the cheese ones seem to be fried, so I am looking for other baked veggie options...there will also be lots of BBQ´s this week, yummy...and they have this drink called Chi Cha...cannot spell, very sweet, very alcoholic...oh and pisco is the other Chilean drink, which is not to great in my opinion, I do not think most Chileans even like it.
Cool random thing about Chile, on the buses there are performers, who have guitars, drumbs, or anything and just start performing, pretty cool....crappy thing, although bus are a great concept they seem to be rocking, stoppy and annoying....but maybe that was just todays experience??
So here is the update, the Language Institute that I teach at, well, I was Dawn, making suggestions, etc..and well about 2 weeks later was offered a position as like the Marketing Director, or such...I am going to be going to different buisness and meetings to promite BEA. I also and doing the outreach to finding more teachers and doing other work around the office. In addition to my regular teaching responsibilities.,..this is cool, cause one, well I like positive valadation from jobs..And two, well I got a contract, which means I am getting a workers VISA which means I am basically on my way to being legal! how cool is that. So ya!! Dawn get´s health care! and Chilean retirment!...well not sure how the retirment funds-pension will help, but good to know it is there...
OK, what else happened, well this last weekend I went up to the Mountains, saw a River, though it kinda seemed like more of a creek to me, but maybe that was just the spot I was looking at. Kinda cool, cactus in one spot, next to a River, which is in the Mountains...Also neat, saw an old man riding a horse with like 3 dogs following him, sorry my descriptive wording is lacking at the moment...Then on Sunday went to Saint Cristobal...it is a really pretty Mountain-Hill that is basically in the middle of the city..very pretty. we drove up it, next time I would like to hike up it. they have like Japanenese Gardens, a Zoo and a ginormous statue of the Virgin Mary...pretty cool....
So this week is Independencia in Chile, super big week...Thursday and Friday are National Holidays! what! what! paid not to work..there are these cute folkore dresses sold everywhere (lots of fairs and street vendors in Chile) and you see lots of school kids wearing the attire for performances or different activities...there is a dance I sorta kinda not really learned at work today called the Quaker...I am sure you could look it up..Empanada´s are all over the place, only problem is the cheese ones seem to be fried, so I am looking for other baked veggie options...there will also be lots of BBQ´s this week, yummy...and they have this drink called Chi Cha...cannot spell, very sweet, very alcoholic...oh and pisco is the other Chilean drink, which is not to great in my opinion, I do not think most Chileans even like it.
Cool random thing about Chile, on the buses there are performers, who have guitars, drumbs, or anything and just start performing, pretty cool....crappy thing, although bus are a great concept they seem to be rocking, stoppy and annoying....but maybe that was just todays experience??
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Trabajar and other updates
Work. well I like teaching. that is fun. I get to joke around, prepare, teach and have a good time. The Agency, Institute, Academy, or whatever it is called that I work for. Well they also do translations so for like 7 hours today I worked on translations, this is good cause one I am learning Spanish (I mainly correct the English part) but then I also am getting extra bucks...people dress up here more for work, so it has been an adventure working on the wardrobe, good news is I never need a reason to buy new clothes....
hmm, good news, well I am super comfortable on metro, and fairly good with bus, so ya to getting around independently!!!
Puppies are doing great...they can hop out of their mini fence just fine, but I noticed they also hop back in. I will need to go ahead and get them a better fence. I realize that I should take a more active role in finding them homes, but I think they are under a month, and super small, so it is OK to keep them longer, right??
oh, bad news, for some reason Chileans tax their books, so not only am I having a hard time in finding them, but they also cost way too much money....hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink....esp. to those who know the books I like...and of course any books you would reccomend? should I put a list up...
hello my name is Dawn and I am shameless :)
ps I am also a klutz who has a blue thumb again..geez! twice in one year. outta control
hmm, good news, well I am super comfortable on metro, and fairly good with bus, so ya to getting around independently!!!
Puppies are doing great...they can hop out of their mini fence just fine, but I noticed they also hop back in. I will need to go ahead and get them a better fence. I realize that I should take a more active role in finding them homes, but I think they are under a month, and super small, so it is OK to keep them longer, right??
oh, bad news, for some reason Chileans tax their books, so not only am I having a hard time in finding them, but they also cost way too much money....hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink....esp. to those who know the books I like...and of course any books you would reccomend? should I put a list up...
hello my name is Dawn and I am shameless :)
ps I am also a klutz who has a blue thumb again..geez! twice in one year. outta control
Voldovia
rain is all I gotta say. so apparently I picked the wrong season to travel on a bus for over 10 hours...it was like crazy yo! flooded streets and none stop..one cool thing is we walked down to the Rio and got some amazing salmon, I think the entire Salmon was like 500 pesos, like $1 and it was awesome...yum yum yum. the family that I went with, (cousins of Carla) well the husband is a cheif and made it up right and nice. they also made this soup with shells, but that ain´t my thing...did I mention that the food in Chile is awesome? yes, I am liking it....another point for Chile. oh negative point, is that there is not hot water, it is all like gas run, so you need to turn on the gas to make it so you can take a hot shower..crappy!! super crappy..and sometimes you have to bring your own tolit paper to public restrooms.., or it is all outside of the stalls...so friends, when you come and visit, either BYOTP or look around the bathroom before you drop draws..
ok, more on Voldovia..so from the fair we were like 5 feet from Elephant and regular Seals..that was pretty neat. Also went on a boat ride on the river, saw some Blackneck Swains and other birds...lots of neat birds in Chile, you can see Parrots flying about in the streets.....
ok, more on Voldovia..so from the fair we were like 5 feet from Elephant and regular Seals..that was pretty neat. Also went on a boat ride on the river, saw some Blackneck Swains and other birds...lots of neat birds in Chile, you can see Parrots flying about in the streets.....
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