Marisol, one of the English teachers at Maruxo Mallo in Ordes picked me up and I rode with her to school. I got to see for the first time some of the countryside outside of Santiago. It was very nice, everyone seems to grow kale! It is very green with rolling hills. I met several of the staff at the school today and I have to say they made me feel right at home. Everyone is so nice and they all enjoy having fun There was a lot of laughter and high spirits. I feel very fortunate to work with all of them this year. I didnt get to go to the classes and meet the students yet. I will do that on Thursday. Tomorrow I have to go fill out papers for my residency card. I tried to get my card on monday, I waited 3 hours just to get told what I needed to bring for the next time I feel as though I am finally settling in and I am very happy. I miss everyone terribly and I think of you all always. Here are some pics! One is of the grocery “cart” one uses at the supermercados here Its a luandry basket on wheels BTW, they have their beans in jars and their pickles in cans Aloha no

shopping “cart”

Ok I think I am getting the hang of things..slowly. I met two of the other teachers yesterday and they showed me around and we had a drink at an outdoor cafe. It was fun. I also finally was able to get a cell phone, which took days to figure out. It is raining here today and it is truly lovely. I have walked more since I have been here than I have in months! Now I know why they close everything down in the middle of the day, everyone is so tired of walking that they need to rest!! I might need to get a new place to stay because I am right next to a pub that partyies EVERYNITE till 4 am. I have not slept very much at all! I love everyone! I miss you all!!!

hello everyone I am here now, on the other side of the world. I dont know if this will change, but I am not enjoying myself. I have gotten sick from the food and have only eaten twice since Ive been here. No one speaks english and I havent slept well as there is a pub outside my window where the loudest people seem to congregate from midnite till 4am. It is beautiful here. The city is very interesting. I got lost yesterday coming home from the library. It felt like that movie Labrinth. I was walking and then I stopeed to really look around and there was my little road, where it had not been b4. Kinda cool. I cannot get internet in my apartment like I had hoped so I am at a cafe. It is very busy here.. and noisy. I miss everybody and actually might just come home. I got a library card completely in Spanish I rented an apartment completely in Spanish. I am completely lost in Spanish. I love you all