update

well, i havent updated in a while so here goes.
Ive had my 1st week of school and I absolutely love it, on average (schedule changes every day) im there until 4:30 pm, and take the bus home, so i get home around 5:15 or so. ive made alot of new friends, and went to my first party here last friday. i start rugby next week, now that my host mom is sufficiently pleased with my micro (bus)- taking abilites. I went to the outdoor market today, and it was huge, and filled with alot of really cheap things ( I got a hat for 3 dollars). On Friday i got a chilean flag which is now hanging up in my room (2.1 x 1.4 meters), people are getting ready for independance day (september 18th) and from what everyone tells me the celebration is pretty much the entire month of september in my town. I am doing great, and although i probably should be, i havent been taking a whole ton of pictures. everyone here is so affecctionate, its great XXD. well, ill probably think of more after i post this but thats about all for now. I'll update again probably next weekend, or sooner if something huge happens. Chauuu

@ the Beach in Coquimbo

Chile fotos

updating people since i got here XD

well, sorry for the late update... but ive been busy, not generally in the house these last few days...

I had a few days in rotary orentation and got to my house in Coquimbo without any trouble. yesterday another of the exchange students in La Serena came to visit (her host dad is my counselor, and her parents and mine are family friends) I bought my uniform for school today, and found out that i have basically the largest sizes avaliable because of my height. I start school at the Colegio de Santo Tomas next monday, and registered yesterday. Everything is going great, I have been helping out ( as best I can) at the family`s ferretería (hardware store) and having a great time. my spanish is better than the other student`s almost all of whom spoke NONE but i still only get a little less than half of what is going on in conversations, learning at least 5 new words a day >.<.
I will post pictures on here fairly soon, as i have taken a few of the city and the surrounding area, as well as in santago and villa alemana.

talk to you all later

--David
(PS I love empanadas)

3 Days

Well, I saw the consulate on Friday, and all went well. I have a visaed passport and all other necessary papers and signatures to enter the country. I leave on Wednesday in the morning for Portland, and Fly out at 6:55 on Thursday. I have a 6 hour layover in Santiago, and an approximately 1 hour layover in Lima, Peru before arriving in Santiago, Chile at 6:00 AM Friday morning (3 AM pacific time) and after 2 days of orientation in Santiago, I fly out for La Serena on the 17th at 3:45 Pm, arriving at 4:45 PM.