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Beinvenidos

Alright, there's no way I can write one cohesive essay and tell you how everything is spectacularly perfect. I have a plan though so just stay with me... I'm going to write on topics, if you're not interested in the topic just skip to the next one (more than likely you won't be missing anything). So here we go...

July 23rd/ Friday Traveling
I'm Amazed - My Morning Jacket

So, flying is nothing short of amazing. I was in Carolina del Norte and twelve hours later I was straight up kickin it in Santiago, Cheee-leyyyy (Chile). I need to give Pippi Keen mad props for calling Delta Airlines and threatening them their lives if they let that plane take off without me... I arrived in the ATL at 10:00 pm which happened to be the same time my flight out of Atlanta was leaving. The minute we touched the ground in Atlanta I was grabbing my awesomely awesome pack and hauling ... to my second flight. I was smelling so nice by this point. I made my first impression to Kevin by calling him and asking/shouting if he would mind telling Delta Airlines they actually weren't going to be flying out of Atl at 10:00 and they needed to just deal. Cute right.

When I was sitting on that plane waiting to take off the reality of my decision hit me like a pound of bricks. So, I popped a dramamine in order to avoid my thoughts which worked out pretty well for me.

There were three other EOD -ers (English Opens Doors) on my flight: Keeley, Sarah, Kevin... all of whom ending up being pretty spectacular.

We made our connections easily... well thanks to the three fluent/conversational Espanol speakers. We stopped by the hostel and then went on our first of many walking tours of Santiago.

Hostel International/Food
The Crystal Method- Keep Hope Alive

Hostel living is much like dorm room living. There's four of us in my room living on top, underneath, and across one another. In all there are 64 EOD -er's and we're all staying in the same hostel. Check it... 64 people who threw caution to the wind and traveled down to Santiago to teach a little Ingles... you couldn't ask for a better crowd or more divertido. Hostel International is providing our meals and I must give you the menu:

Breakfast:
Roll/Piece of bread
Instant coffee

Lunch:
Spaghetti
Ensalada
Bread

Dinner:
Chicken
Mashed Potatos
verde sopa y floating particals
Flan
Ensalada

oh yeah... I haven't quite gotten my sea legs back yet pero the verde sopa con floating particles is really helping.

I will tell you one thing Chile has got me sold on... BEEF BEEF and well, BEEF. We took ourselves out to lunch yesterday and since I couldn't read the menu anyhow I asked the waiter for his recomendation... donde recomiende? A short time later I was presented with a plate of nothing but ... wait for it... BEEF. Well, if you have ever had the pleasure of having a meal with me you're very aware of my inability to order descent food. So, when my plate of meat arrived I just shook me head and dove in fork first.

Well. let me tell you Daddy... someone's got you beat in the steak department... BIG TIME.

Night life de Chile
Hot Like Sauce- Pretty Lights

Hands down, literally all hands down... Best night of my life. Discotheque, yes please. We have been lucky to have a Chilean man by the name of Roberto showing us around the city for the last two days. Well, he also introduced me to Blondie el dicotheque therefore I will never be able to love because Roberto stole my heart with the simple broken english words... do you want to go dancing?

Mom- we traveled in a pack of 20... don't worry everyone was very safe.

Life as I know it now:
Head full of doubt- Avett Brothers (like you didn't know that was coming)

I don't even know where to begin... I'm gonna go emo (emotional for all you old folks) on you here so deal.

Life as I have known it for the last 23 years will never be the same. I have more emotions than one can imagine... but what lays beneath all of the others is the most pure form of happiness I have ever felt. Beauty is surrounding me in broken buildings, street vendors, strangers, smiles, Spanish, and the fact that I am able to experience it all.

I love you all but I can't say I miss you yet.