Chile at last!!

Chile at last! We have finally made it to Chile. I can’t wait to finally get this trip under way. Everyone who I have talked to before coming here who has taken the trip says it’s the most fun they have had! Anyway, I wasn’t able to sleep for a minute on the plane and we got into the airport early and still had the whole day ahead. After we got off the plane, we had to go through customs, which was one of the most agonizing and slow processes I have ever gone through. But I managed to survive. After that we packed onto the bus and were all swindled out of a few thousand pesos by a guy who helped put our bags in the bus. Oh well, the ride from Santiago to Vina Del Mar, the city where we’re staying at, took about an hour and a half and everyone was passed out on the ride over. Upon arriving, we got to see our hotel for the first time, and it isn’t pretty! It’s old, run down, small rooms, really small bathrooms and ackward hall ways, but I don’t mind. All we will do there is shower and sleep, so I think I can manage it! After everyone was settled in, we walked across the street to a restaurant called Tiki Taco for some lunch. I shared a huge platter of meats and vegetables with Sarah, and we only finished half of the monstrous pile of food. After lunch, we headed down to see a local soccer match. The game was really fun and different than any other sporting event I have been to before. Everyone was cheering and singing their team’s song. There weren’t many people there, but it was loud. The local team ended up winning 3-2, after trailing 2-0 in the first half. After the game, we headed back to the hotel and were given the rest of the night off. So my friend Aaron and I went down to the casino, sorry dad—it was part of the Chilean experience! I didn’t do too well, but I was easily one of the best dressed people there. It’s not so much about playing good as it is looking good, and I was rocking the suit tonight! However, the Black Jack table destroyed me and I inevitably ended up going back to the hotel depressed and had nothing else to do but start writing my blog, but it was well worth it!