estoy aquí

it still hasn't sunk in that i'm really here and this is really happening.

i arrived this morning in santiago, chile with little drama (much less than getting to brazil). well, it would've been perfect except for the fact that i realized as i went through customs that i had left my winter coat on the plane. this was quickly remedied, however, and i was soon able to be on my way. javi, the current mc vp er, met me at the airport and guided me through the trek through bus and metro to the "flat," as they've been calling it (yay for british english, ha ha).

it turns out that though he's mexican, he lived in the u.s. for 3 years during college so he's been able to relate the differences that i might notice, which is interesting. turns out they love french fries with meat and onions here, mayonnaise is different and plentiful (though i still don't intend to eat it), and avacado is a staple. they don't eat beans at all though, it seems, which is really sad :( the metro was eerily quiet, a far cry from the echoing conversations of marta.

i'm already missing some people from home, but i think (and hope) i'll adapt quickly to this impeccably clean city, surrounded by mountains clouded in smog. i'll do my best at least :)

pictures will be coming soon. and as i sit here in the café (yay starbucks), trying to figure out what the rest of the day will bring, i know that my adventure has already begun.