Chile: Hogar de las Chocobandas

Hola todos!

Don' worry, you all know what a chocobanda is. Except most of you haven't seen one since probably 1995. Una chocobanda is a mullet. They are EVERYWHERE. I have some quality pictures of them. Today i saw a shaved head with a crazy party in the back. yeah. special.

So today I slept in and hung out for a while. I met Jesus, another friend of Martins. He seemed like a cool guy. Kinda reminds me of Jeff Penedo now that I think about it (those of you at school reading this, Jeff is a friend of my brother's). So mama told me we would go to the beach and it got to be 3 and we still hadn't done anything so I started to get antsy. I had been planning on going with a girl from the program, Michelle. But Martin wanted to show me around and he called some of the other host families and I ended up going with Michelle, Allyse, and another girl from the program Kayli. We had lots of fun, but I didnt realize we would be walking forever. I wore my new fabulous flip flops and my blisters are impressive. We all met up at the McDonalds...yep, Day 2 in Chile and I've already been to a Mickey-D's :)- . We walked toward the ocean and Martin pointed out the Valparaiso "skyline." I saw skyline for lack of better word, he just kindof pointed out where Vina stopped and Valpo began but the buildings were tall and pretty. The ocean was cold but not as cold as home. Still shocking to the system, though! After walking along the beach we stopped for gelato. It was super yummy. I dont remember what the flavor is called but its like a dulce de leche, i guess. We talked for a while there at the beach and compared our nifty cell phones haha. We walked back and dropped off Allyse, who actually lives 2 blocks from me, and took Michelle to the bus station. Then Kayli and Martin and I ended up walking back to our apartment. We saw a couple damaged buildings, one that was leaning. Kinda cool actually (sorry Mommy). I actually didn't realize we were at home cuz we went a new way and Kayli was a little shocked as well but her mama and mine are really good friends. Kayli stayed for dinner and we had Chilean wine and talked about travelling. She didnt end up leaving until like 1030, but it was fun! Martins friend Felipe was here too. He also works for CIEE. He and Martin are helping out with a scavenger hunt tomorrow. Its definitely advantageous (is that a word???) to live with Martin!! He's like the resident tour guide. Not to mention he has crazy connections with lots of clubs and a taxi company too.

Tomorrow I have to be in Valparaiso at 9am, ew. I have a diagnostic Spanish test, among other things. I think its going to be a long day. Everything seems to be going well, though. I should probably go to sleep soon, after I tend to my blisters. Give me updates of life at home! Oh, for those of you who think Paco is tiny, there are dogs here that make him look like a giant! Martin also showed me the Starbucks, and told me he would lead me to my heavenly Dunkin Donuts. Can't wait, cuz the coffee here is vile.

Talk to you all soon!!!