CHILE - finally!

Andes mountains and valley of Santiago

So our trip of 14 hours turned into the 41 hour mess ... but finally we arrived in Santiago! Our families here had been waiting about 3 hours (of course they had returned from the previous day when we didn't show up). Upon entering the airport, we were ready with our $100 in new 20s to pay for the entry fee. The lady there told us that with our new little pieces of blue paper that the Chilean consul had given us, we did not need to pay the fee. I double checked, was very pleased, and then the girls went to change their cash into pesos. Afterward we went to immigration and there they told us we NEEDED to pay the fee! What confusion! I explained what they had told us earlier, and we returned, with assistance to the first lady. Everyone, thankfully, had a way to pay the entry fee! We found out you CAN use a Visa card, cash, or traveler's check. Anyway, finally we passed through immigration ... and on to baggage claim then customs.

Once at baggage claim, we realized that only 3 people of us 10 had their check-on luggage from Atlanta! And already most of us had been wearing the same clothes for 2 days ... I checked and checked and checked. I finally sent the students through customs, with the assurance that I would find out about the luggage and would contact them, so they could go with their host families and maybe take showers and naps. I spent over another hour trying to ascertain where the luggage was. I finally left with the assurance from Delta that they would contact us the next day. (Which they did not, we called them, and not until late afternoon did the luggage finally arrive at Maria Elena's house, where Dubi is staying ... filling the hallway and dining room. Hannah's luggage was still NOT there and it was another day for her - we went to the airport from school the 3rd day to acquire her suitcases ... she was so happy, she was practically skipping! Only one suitcase sustained some major damage and we're working to get recompense) Well ... so much for the wonderous LUGGAGE story!

Colegio Padre Hurtado y Juanita de los Andes

* the SCHOOL *

The second day of school there was a "welcome" assembly for us. The students received their honorary ties and were presented by name to the High School. Dubi was surprised to say the Lord's prayer while another teacher, Cecilia, translated, phrase by phrase. Well, Dubi got lost and forgot the words. Niiiiice ... but she did her best, otherwise, not to embarass the "gringos".

The American students this year, like last, are very surprised at how disrespectful the students seem to be when the teachers and directors are at the front of the room, calling for quiet. It happens in many classrooms, too. One plus for our students!

receiving and putting on the ties and pins with the uniforms

Que Será, Será

ROBYN: Sure, the airport adventure is over, but the new adventure is just beginning for us all. It is the start of a new life, one that I hope to keep forever. My first thoughts: scary, amazing, nerve wracking, exciting, and at the same time wonderfully wonderful. Having a second place to call home made it even more exciting, but making me miss my family all the same. Before coming here, it was only talk. And now that I have arrived, the reality of this trip is kicking in. It was definitely not what I had expected. No matter how many stories were told to me, how many memories, or how many pictures that I saw, it is not the same as actually being here. It is way better!

Que será, será. Whatever will be, will be. What will happen within the next month is unknown to all of us. We have to let life take its course, and hope that things turn out for the better. The adventure is just beginning, and a new life is ahead of us.
adios. ~Robyn

in the Patio of the school

checking e-mail from home

new friends!