Santiago, and other thoughts...

Hello all!
Well, there´s a lot going on right now, so I figured I would keep everyone updated a bit on how my life looks right now. I am settling in more and more into Chile and the lifestyle it has offered to me. Translation: I am letting myself get swallowed. I think for a while I was trying to fight it, only to get choked on and spit back out, but thats not what I really want, thant not what I need. What I need is to get swallowed, and find my way through the system of this place (and others) and come out in a newer, different form to continue my next journey. A lot of peple from my program celebrated their half-way point (my quarter-way point) in being here. Some are excited to go, some wish they could stay, I am just happy to be where I am. I get the occasional "fuuuck! What am I going to DO this summer??? Can I do everything I want, do I have the time, money, space, travel buddy, desire, can I actually do all of these cool things I see myself doing in my mind and spirit´s eye!?!?" and then, I just breathe. I realize that pretty much anything I do will be awesome. It will not take place in Colorado like it has for the last 20 years, and I will learn, grow and have a blast reguardless. But, how much should I leave to fate, and how much of my own powers do I need to inject? I have been trying to find that balance lately between what I want to do, and where I am supposed to be. Or rather, where is the most beneficial place for me to be. Will it just Happen, or will I have to seek it out? Or both? I think both.
Anyway... In other news, I went to Santiago last weekend and liked it much more than I thought I would... Although we didn´t see the sun the whole time, I got to get a feel for the city where 40% of Chile´s population lives (!)- crazy, no!? I went with my program, and stayed in a room with two girls from my program. It was one of the girl´s birthday (Emily) and she also had friends who were studying in Santiago, so we all met up at our hotel and pre-gammed and went out. We went to this club first that was a pretty small little underground disco called El Tunnel, and danced for a bit. THEN, I met up with a friend from Boulder who is traveling around South America for 6 months, and happened to be in Santiago at the same time. So we met up and hung out (it was His birthday, too) and then went to another bar where we met up with a Chilean friend of mine (Rodrigo) who is from Punta Arenas in the SOUTH of Chile. We had a great time, and the night was fun. Also in Santiago, we went to Pablo Neruda´s house called "La Chascona" which is an indegenous word that means "messy hair". It is called this because his third and final wife, Matilde had crazy red hair that always appeared rustled and messy. This house was really cool, and had some secret passageways in it as well. We also got to eat some of the best food, and have some of the best conversations on this trip. I sat with people who I hadn´t really gotten to know up until this point, and just had a lovely time. One girl, Hayley, had spent the previous semester in Senegal, and just had some of the mos insightful things to say about the women there, and how they treat other human beings with dignity and respect. She also said something that was very great to hear about when women get married. She said this "...It´s great because women are expected to gain weight after they get married. It shows that, ya know, they´re happy, they´re realxed, they are well fed..." I just thought that was so lovely. As my body has changed a little from being down here, I have realized that I am happy, relaxed and well fed, so of Course this machine that is my body is going to respond to the input and output of the lifestyle I choose... So, all is good.
Antother addition to the weekend was that my traveling friend (his name is Christian) came to Viña and spent a few days here with me and our mutual friend Will who is also from CU. It was fun, and really inspired me to know my city more. I mean, I love Viña and know where a lot of cool places are, but I really need and want to fully meet and get to know her. Good thing I have lots of time! And time is what I have. It has flown by quickly, so I am trying my best to make the most of it, and squeeze as much in as possible. My budget is really tight, and sometimes that limits what I can do, but the beach is free, and smiles are too. (Cheeeeze, I know...) Also, it is Jackson´s birthday today- Happy Birthday Bro! Love you!
Chau!