I never go this long without posting! There is a lot to talk about after such an interesting weekend away.
To catch up on last week:
We had a few papers and a couple tests, but nothing too major. We (all of my friends here & I) spent most of the week looking forward to this past weekend- as we had planned the trip to San Alfonso and couldn't wait to get to the Worlds Largest Pool (!).
Wednesday night Lauren and I went to see the movie, Wall Street, in theaters to continue our weekly getaway at the movies with a icy coke and "pop con sal"- also known as popcorn WITH SALT.
The movie was really cool- but the scenario was a little weird since the movie basically explained how money-obsessed UnitedStatesian people are. Its never comforting to be the only two blonde/gringa people in a theater filled with Chileans who already hold a natural grudge against you. The realness of the movie was a little creepy and very eye-opening.
That night I slept over at Lauren's. Since we had to wake up the next morning at approximately 5 AM to trek to the airport in Santiago and help Nicole pick up Russ- we thought it would be best if we all stayed the night together at one house and walked to bus station together. We made it to the station by 6:20 AM, got on a bus to Santiago right away, and before we knew it we were on the way back to Vina with Russ! It was awesome getting to see him for a while- and we all knew that Nicole was so so so happy to see him :)
I slept in on Friday thinking: if I get up at 11 I'll have plenty of time to showr, pack, eat, and be ready at 2.
Change of plans: the hot water heater was broken- no shower. That was okay, though...I shower too much anyways.
We (me, Lauren, Nicole, Russ, Jemima, Corie, Nikki, Kelly, Ahzha) all met up in Valparaiso and quickly hopped on a bus to San Alfonso- the most beautiful, heavenly resort anyone could ever see.....we thought.
We arrived to find out that:
1) we werent in the sea-side buildings...our hotel was about a mile away and inland.
2) the pool at our hotel was not the worlds largest pool...and it was EMPTY. no water. not a drop.
3) all chileans hate all gringos.
okay, the third point isn't really true but after this weekend I show no mercy for Chileans who will try and argue the fact that we are instantly judged in South America as rude, ignorant people.
We felt like the workers at the hotel were trying to scam us, and they even joked around with us at times because the amount of money that we ended up paying to stay in the nicer resort with the gigantic pool was a significant amount more. We were all bitter and hesitant to spend any more money.
The pool that we had traveled to just to float in and lay by for a solid three days was too cold to enter. We didn't get in once. The sun didn't shine- no tans. Too bad we only packed summer resort clothes...this felt more like going to the beach in the winter.The hot tub cost us 20 dollars. Why ? Im not sure- it wasn't anything special AND it was completely filled with American-haters. Whatever.
The good parts about the weekend:
Lauren and I discovered we are, in fact, totally normal. Thank you, Jesus.
I did feel very relaxed for a while- and the condo was really nice.
I got to know each person on the trip WAY more.
I am a little bitter- but you live, you learn.
The lesson: never stay at a resort in Chile.
I came home today around 2 and could not WAIT to crawl into my bed for a while and finally get some quiet time. No one was home, so I was a little relieved that I could be in total relaxation mode for a while. About five minutes after i walked in the door I heard someone come in the house. I got up to go see who it was but missed them- they had already left. I think it was Patricio- and for some reason...he decided to be extra secure and deadbolt the door shut.
This was a problem. A major problem.
Because I do not have the correct key to unlock the second lock on the door- I was literally trapped inside the house and could not escape.
About an hour and half later, they came home and all was well. But seriously! Nothing is wierder than being trapped in your own house!
Later,
Lesley
