A month in photos

I'm going to do something a little different here and fill you all in on what I've been up to in the last thirty days or so using mostly photos!

The first time I explored Barrio Italia, Caren and I stumbled upon some sort of dessert festival and admired some beautiful cakes, while I nibbled on a green tea and white chocolate cupcake. Yum. I mean, ñami.

In this restaurant, Barrio Italia became my favorite neighborhood in Santiago. This restaurant had good food, good views, good company, and Bob Marley playing in the background. This is all I ask for in life! 

My first real (as in not pre-mixed out of a store-bought bottle) pisco sour. Barrio Italia does it again! 

The end of a fantastic marathon day exploring Barrio Italia and its gastronomy. 

Skyping a friend back home in New Jersey.  We are wearing our matching lederhosen tshirts (which I can honestly say I have no good explanation for). 

Llamas in Cajón del Maipo!

Goats in Cajón del Maipo!

Turning hot springs mud into clay masks with a visiting friend from USC

Baños Colina, amazingly hot and mineral-rich natural hot springs in Cajón del Maipo

A stunning lake and mountain view in Cajón del Maipo

I wanted to see snow in Cajón del Maipo, and I got my wish!

I finally made my way up to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal and took a selfie with the Virgen. I really hope my selfie wasn't considered inappropriate in this kind of sacred spot, but come on, you have to admit this statue's posture is pretty sassy and smug. 

Veronica and I decided to take a rest on this tree branch at the top of the Cerro, and once we started shimmying on down, a nice Chilean man came over to us and swiftly lifted us up off the branch. 

Valparaíso street (or stair) art

Some of my favorite street art in Valpo, using the Chilean flag as a sail in this 3D work

With all these beautiful colors, I couldn't resist jumping into the photo!

I finally got a photo with the "we are happies" art on Cerro Alegre in Valpo. The next time I'm there, I'm determined to get up early enough that other tourists won't photobomb the picture! 

The view from the rooftop of our hostel in Valpo. Believe me, the view is even more stunning at night. 

The whole cohort got together for dinner when Brittain, our USC advisor, came into town. The restaurant was in Lastarria, my other favorite neighborhood of Santiago. Here I am with my Chilean friend Ceci and our matching, overly indulgent tres leches desserts. We ended up wishing we had shared! This was also the night that Ceci and decided to plan a trip to the Atacama desert, where we will freeze our butts off together in July! 

Clearly, I can't pass up a good dessert. Barrio Lastarria representing, once again! 

Rooftop bar event in Las Condes sponsored by FEN's International Student Association - Chileans have told me that the best cure for a cold is a michelada, a beer mixed with lemon juice and chili and rimmed with salt. Worth a try! 

Copa America Inauguration Excitement

Tonight is the first night of Copa America 2015, and Santiago is abuzz. The cup happens to be held in Chile this year. Now let’s straighten out two things right off the bat:

#1: If you’re thinking it kind of seems like I am writing this blog post instead of actually watching the soccer game, well, you’re right. But there is still plenty of time for me to be convinced to head back to FEN and watch it there (my Econ paper won’t mind, right?), so we’ll see what happens as the night goes on. 

#2: Although with a little more research, I might be qualified to discuss the effects of hosting the Copa America on Chile’s economy, I will spare you those details. On the other hand, I will absolutely admit to being unqualified to discuss the sport of soccer and most other athletic ventures, for that matter. So this post will not be about anything other than the sheer excitement that can be seen throughout the city today.

When I left my apartment this morning (ok, afternoon), I looked around and suddenly felt like more of a minority in Santiago than usual. This time, I belonged to the minority of people not wearing a soccer jersey or any sort of Chilean flag. Conveniently, the colors of the bandera here are red, white, and blue, so now that I know of this phenomenon, and already being a patriotic Estadounidense, I can possibly fit in a little better the next time Chile plays. And when people dress in the national colors here, there are no holds barred. I would love to post a photo of one of the many random Chilean adults I saw today sporting almost-ridiculous headwear, but I didn’t actually take any such photo, for the sake of the privacy of strangers as well as for the sake of my phone remaining securely in my zippered pocket.

You all know I have a minor obsession with the fact that ANYTHING can be bought on the street here, so of course I was impressed to see the Copa memorabilia and the various items in Chile’s colors that were being sold on the streets today. For a small-scale example, I’ll include a photo of what was being sold at FEN. 

Speaking of FEN, apparently we as a school go all-out for this event as well. Between decorations in the cafeteria and a huge tent outside in which to watch the game, school today felt less like school and more like a stadium. Although I didn’t witness any of this first-hand, I have heard rumors that there was also a Copa-FEN-type soccer playoff leading up to the Copa America as well as a cueca dancing competition in the hall. Cueca is the national dance of Chile, and I truly regret not being around as a spectator when FEN students chicken-danced around each other waving some handkerchiefs.

Finally, the Copa America is also a huge marketing opportunity, even for thing such as hamburger buns and dish soap. Yes, I really did purchase the hamburger buns that included a gift of a sandwich bag featuring a soccer game scene and promising to make my sandwich a winner. And, yes, I really did choose the dish soap that claims to be the #1 player in the kitchen. ¿Porque no?

The game is almost starting, so tune in if you’re reading this as I post it and wish Chile buena suerte!