Pass-times

Well, I apologize for the lack posts. To explain myself, I've been sick for about 2 weeks now and therefore have not done anything blog-worthy. Here's my attempt to summarize my pass-times in a semi-exciting manner. Pardon me if I bore you.

2 weekends ago, let's just say I got caught up on all the TV series on cuevana, sipped tea, and ate soup.

Last week, I made some new friends, played some air hockey (I've got a knuckle bruise battle wound), went to an art party and spoke some more Spanish. The highlight was Saturday. I woke up, had the morning to myself, the headed to Nika's apartment. Nika is my Californian friend and Angel is her Ecuadorian boyfriend, both of whom I plan on travelling to Bolivia and Ecuador after the semester ends. We headed to the market to buy ingredients for ceviche, and along the way we 'ran into' my favorite pub with the best cerveza I've found in Santiago and of course we had to stop. We entered the bustling market and somehow made it in and out of there with white fish, octupus, lemon, onion, and white wine (I seem to have forgotten to mention that Angel is a chef). With empty stomachs we headed back home to prepare the meal. Nika and I boiled quail eggs and made a mayo-garlic-pepper sauce to accompany, while Angel impressively cooked the ceviche. Let me tell you, the meal was delicious, not to mention the good company and conversation on the side. After that, some more friends joined and we play games and chatted in the apartment for the rest of the night.

Now, here I am, still feeling a little stir-crazy these past few days. To pass the time, I've meditated, and gone on quite the poetry bout (reading, writting (maybe one day I'll have the guts to post some), and now memorizing a poem, Porphyria's Lover). Wish me luck and ask me to recite it next time you see me! Also taking a personal survey of people's favorite poet and perhaps their favorite poem. So please, leave a comment and let me know.

The smiling rosy little head (this is a test to see if you read the whole poem),
Lauren Adele

A Peaceful State of Mind

A Saturday afternoon, an hour outside of Santiago, best described by pictures and this lovely song.

 My first Andean Condor! Huge.

 Look closely and you can see the sun and the moon.

Happy Mother's day, Mom. I sent you love and thanks from the side of this mountain yesterday.

Escuchando al viento,
Lauren Adele

Maritimes

This past weekend (April 29th - May 1st) Anna Bo-banna and I travelled to the other side of the country to the coast (all 2 hours away from Santiago). Viña del Mar and Valparaíso are two coast towns set right next to each other, practically one in the same. We also had our first experience with couchsurfing, a program where you can meet people in different cities and stay with them during your visit.

We arrived at the bus stop in Viña and our host, Eduardo and his friend, Carlos picked us up and brought us back to his house to put our stuff. Within the first 5 minutes in the house, his mom plopped 18 day old Maximiliano in my arms.

The whole house gave an impression that we were on a boat. He showed us our room and our bathroom, then we set out to see the town. The first item on the list was La Sebastiana, one of Pablo Neruda's houses located in Valparaíso. It was a lovely house, one I would aspire to have of my own one day, with a spectacular view of the ocean. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures, so here are a few images from their website. On the top floor, Neruda's poem he had written about the house was displayed on his desk. You can read the poem here, and translate it here. 

We then went to El Museo del Cielo Abierto, The Museum of the Open Sky, which is a street tour of graffiti done by some of the most popular artists. 

After walking around the town the whole day, our host Eduardo informs us it's his birthday. Amazed by his hospitality, we wished him a happy birthday and headed back to his house for his celebration (Did I forget to mention he has a bar in his house?). We met some more Marines and passed the time with his friends and family. Eduardo has travelled to many countries across the world and has built up quite the worldly liquor collection. One of our favorites was the pistol shaped tequila bottle. 

We later headed in to town with Carlos and Eduardo to a live salsa club. 

The next day we were chauffeured around town once again. We made it to the dock, took an ascensor, and headed to the Marine Museum. 

There were two sets of these windows, the neatest stained glass I've ever seen

. 

The last attraction at the museum was the Fénix, the actual capsule used to rescue the miners this past year.

After that, we headed to the famous cemetery. The first grave I saw, I found a treasure inside. 

Some people really do live and die for soccer here.

Aaand after that, we headed to first lighthouse in Chile. Also, the first lighthouse I've ever been inside.

That night we stayed home and exchanged pictures and stories with the Donoso family.

Sunday, we woke up and decided to take our hosts out to their first sushi experience ever. (I think you can tell they liked it).

After hearing all about the Esmeralda, the boat the marines had taken on a training trip to 12 different countries 2 years prior, we got on board!

After our personal tour, we headed to the battleship, where we had coffee with the captain. 

Our visit to Viña and Valpo was great. We got incredibly lucky with our hosts and had an amazing Chilean experience, full of the benefits of being with Marines.

I'll be updating my photo link soon, as I know have a functioning camera again. 

Always at home with the sound of the sea,

Lauren Adele