Living with 4 boys, working with these 4 boys, and being in a country where all I know are these same 4 boys

(The team + Travis, another tech grad and our Chilean guide and fairy godmother)

So we have an apartment now. PRAISE JESUS! As fun as the hostal was, to actually have a place to unpack our bags, to cook, to have our own place really start to make Chile feel like our new home. After much searching, and much help from random strangers (Santiago is really one big family) we found someone willing to sublet us a good apt for a good price for 6 months. Its on the 22^nd floor! And has the MOST INCREDIBLE view of the Andes Mountains from our balcony- yes we have a balcony complete with table and chairs. The mountains are SO big (the view from our balchoney) and so beautiful. There are 3 rooms,

after much debate and yelling and a couple bottles of wine it was decided that I would get the small room to myself and the boys would share the other 2 rooms. There is a great kitchen and large living room great to house traveling souls to Santiago- so if you haven’t gotten a direct invite from me to come visit me in Chile this is it! We even bought and air mattress for guest to stay! And the best part of our place is its location, we are one block from the largest metro station and 3 blocks from the best night life in the city – Bellavista area. Here you find the most bars, clubs, concert halls, restaurants, all in a beautiful ecliptic part of town.

(My room, small, but mine)

Living with these boys creates so many flashbacks of growing up with my 2 brothers. Sometimes they are so sweet and really take good care of me, sometimes they are so flippin’ annoying and won’t stop poking me or pulling my hair ( I’m not exaggerating, just ask Nick about that one), sometimes they are too protective of me, sometimes they are cuddly, and sometimes smelly and messy. But I do love them all so much, they are quickly becoming family to me.

(Nick)

(Sean and I at a Student Protest)

Our apt is never boring, random Michael Jackson dance breaks, or random cooking fests, lots of laughs and lots of yelling (that’s our fav form of communication between each other). We work mostly out of our living room, the internet is fairly good, and then leave to go meet people and see the city. We all love people, all love music and singing and dancing, having people over and all love wine- what more could you want in roommates?

(Chis and I at La Monela with official guards)

This morning I was woken up by Chris jumping on my bed and crawling under the covers (everyone is jealous of the heated blanket I bought) and then Nick coming and jumping on top of us and then Sean coming in and serenading us while we laid in bed. It was such a great way to wake up. Its going to be an interesting time here in Chile

(Andrew at Santa Lucia)

Futbol

Futbol, what Americans call Soccer is a way of life here. It defines your schedule, your mood, who you can be friend with and when, your wardrobe, and what your home TV and cable is. I would say it goes far beyond American Football in fan loyalty, mainly its because its really the only sport countries in South America care about. In the states some people prefer baseball or basketball, but here- EVERYONE cares about futbol. Not to mention these countries also have a single national team that the entire country can ralley around as they often play other countries through-out the world. Team pride combined with patriotism and alcohol is an exciting mix.

Today was a futbol day, multiple world wide matches were lined up and I was pumped. It all started at about 2:30 with the Women’s WORLD CUP where USA was playing Japan. I had my snacks ready here at the hostal, the couch all set up, TV on the right channel, remote in hand, and me and couple other gringos were ready to cheer. Well it was right about 2 min into the game when a couple of the Brazilian guys here at the hostal walked up and without saying anything began changing the channel looking for the Brazil V. Paraguay match. I told them I was watching the world cup game and they (mind you this whole conversation is in broken English/Spanish/Portuguese) responded that the Brazil game was about to start. I told them that was only a qualifying game for the South American Cup while this was the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. They responded that it didn’t count because it was a women’s game. I was rather upset, but 10 other Brazilians walked up ready to watch there game so that was where the argument ended. I wouldn’t have minded that much if they had just asked, I mean I was interested in that game as well…but instead I ended up only watching part of the game and then was invited to go PLAY some futbol. So I grabbed my new cleats and jumped on the Metro with Andrew. We headed out to the far east of the city, closer to the mountains than we had yet been. When we got off the metro we had the most incredible view of the Andes Mountains. It was a crystal clear day and it was the first time we could see all the way to the top. They were by far the largest mountains I have ever seen. Even Andrew, who is form Denver, was in awe at the magnitude of the mountains. And we got to play futbol right there in the mountain’s shadows. It was incredible. One of the start-up chile guys had reserved a field and we had a great social game of futbol with people from all over the world, way cool.

After our game it was about time to get ready for the real match of the day- Chile V. Venezuela simi-finals for the South American Cup. We were to meet up with a bunch of Couch Surfers at an Irish Pub. Every bar/restaurant during Chile futbol away games are PACKED. Everyone flocks to get out and watch the game with all the other fans- through out the entire country. Its crazy. We crammed about 15 foreigners and about 6 Chileans into a small booth and had a grand time cheering on Chile. The place was so loud with cheers and signs and insults at every part of the game. When Chile scored with only 30 min left in the game you should have heard that place explode in cheers and songs. It was so great, until Venezuela scored again near the end of the game to win it. Suddenly everything got quite. People switch from drinking beer to drinking straight liquor. As we walked home we saw so many riot police just hanging out on the street, they have to be ready during every game just in case.

Tonight at the hostal, same story. Liquor and people kinda somber, no one is going out tonight. Tonight is morning night. I was warned to expect sour moods from everyone in the city for at least a week until the South American Cup is over.

EARTHQUAKE

So last night, July 15^th around 9:30pm I got to experience my first earthquake. Travis and I were up in the hostal doing some work on the computers and due to the wobbly table and chairs I didn’t recognize what was going on at first. The table was shacking for about 10 seconds before Travis said “earthquake!”. We were up on the 6^th floor of our building so the tremor had just started little and was growing. When I looked around everything was shaking, the water in my glass was violently stirring around, my bag on the floor was moving, and the pictures on the wall were swaying back in forth. We rushed into the living room of the hostal and were excited and rather anxious about the entire building shaking, to our surprise Maricel, the girl who works the front desk, only responded to our excitement with “nah, it is only a tremor, no big deal.” Apparently a 4.8 earthquake is “no big deal” to Chileans. Weird. But at least it was exciting for us.

Oh buddy am I exhausted. I was right in my assumption we wouldn’t be resting much with our time in Chile. Every moment is jam-packed with awesomeness.

Yesterday morning we got up early to meet everyone who is part of Start-Up Chile for a picture with the Chilean Minister of Economy. I guess I should take this moment to explain a little of what I am doing down here.

The Chilean Government decided to enhance innovation, the economy and global network that they would sponsor people from around the world to move to Chile to start companies. So a friend of mine I know from Tech, Chris Quintero, followed the whole process last year during their first year of doing this, he fell in love and invited another friend of ours Andrew Foote to join him in starting a business in Chile. The 3 of us know each other best through Engineers without Boarders and have all worked in Cameroon together. We have the same passions to change the world and love for traveling. We were discussing the possibility of applying for this program at Rocky Mountain Pizza over a couple pitchers of beer when a friend of mine, Sean Kolk, walked up and started drinking with us. I know Sean via a road trip a couple years ago to Mexico. Sean was just about to graduate in International Affairs and Marketing from GT and was looking for the next great adventure in his life. The 4 of us decided that we should totes go for it and Andrew invited a friend, Nick Van Vilet, he knew from Emory to join us on this crazy adventure. The 5 of us began brainstorming on what we could possibly do for a business in Chile, after much talking and debating it was decided that our best idea with the skill we had was to go with the project that I have been working on with GTRI for the past year- a solar latrine. The sanitation crisis world wide was something already near and dear to the 5 of our hearts and we decided we should make a business that seeks to do something about it. Sanivation is what we call ourselves- innovation for sanitation (get it?) check us out at Sanivation.com.

Ergo, me and 4 boys are here in Santiago Chile under an initial grant from the Government program Start-Up Chile. We aren’t exactly sure what all we will be doing, where we will be living for what will happen, but we do know we are going to learn a lot, make a lot of awesome memories and meet a ton of great people. So we are pumped to be here.

So yesterday was our first time meeting any other Start-Up Chile people. We met at the largest newspaper headquarters of Chile and got a really cool tour. I spent most of the time just getting to know the other people here in the program. There are about 200 of us from everywhere in the world. Everyone speaks English, about half speak good Spanish. It was interesting hearing everyone’s background and what company they were going to start here in Chile.

From there we headed back to the hostal to start doing some work and discussion time with the team. Then we decided since we were hungry, we would make a quick stop at a fast food café right next to our hostal… this proved to be an interesting adventure.

So in Chile, a lot of things that we would have just done ourselves or by machine in the Sates are instead done by other people for their full time job. Like gas, there is a station attendant who pumps it for you. Or in a fast food case, you order your food at the desk and she gives you a ticket depending on where you are you take that ticket somewhere else to show someone to order your food, and then take that ticket to someone else who verifies the tickets and passes you your food. Interesting huh? Well at this café we got our little tickets and had NO IDEA what to do next. We wandered around like idiots for a while and tried to ask people, but no one knew what we were trying to ask. There was an escalator upstairs which looked like it had extra seating, so we went up and got stuck in a cafeteria line- with no exit! Only the escalator going up behind us. So we had to push our way through the line, and follow the really confusing exit signs which lead way to the back of the building and exited to a random ally a block away form where the café was. We were so confused. We got back to the restaurant and kept asking people to no avail. Finally we just sat down at a table and next thing we knew a waiter came to our table and took our tickets and our drink orders and then shortly delivered our food to the table. We felt extremely Gringo (Chilean slang for American).

After that adventure we met up with the Hong Kong kids and the Chilean couch surfers again at the largest market in the area- Market Vega. It was so interesting to walk through the market, it had almost anything you could want all sold at little booths under this covered area. All kinds of produce, meat, drinks, house supplies, dog food, clothes – everything. In the very middle was an eating area where we were served amazing home made 4 course meal for WAY cheep. So good. The fried fish might have been the best I ever had, and got to try my first local beer, also delicious. From there we went on another walking tour. Claudia, a native Santiago girl studying anthropology and archeology did an amazing job explaining the history of the place. We went to 500 year old cathedrals, some old museums, congress, the Mondia (equivalent of the white house) she showed us damages still from specific bombings or riots or the earthquakes, she explained past governments and movements and how they affected current day Chile. And every where we looked riot police were preparing for the next days excitement.

All of the university students and teachers in Santiago have been on a “Paro”, Strike, for the past couple months. They are speaking out against having to pay for university when all public universities were originally established as completely free and are so in most neighboring countries. I was amazing when I found out that Chilean students pay about $7,000 USD a year for their education, as compared with myself who paid about $30,000 USD a year. Was this really worth such a large protest? They seemed to think so. All the universities have been “taken over” by the students. Each like a headquarters’ of a rebellion where tons of students camp out day and night and plan their protest. The buildings are covered in hand made signs and many have desks and chairs jammed in the gates in a visual representation of what was going on. How incredible that students could rally like that by the thousands around the city for a cause. I don’t know if Georgia Tech could have ever rallied like that, but as I was told, protesting here is a way of life. Its how all members of society get their point across. Well today, July 14^th was the big day, a large protest had been scheduled right at the Mondia and police were preparing for it. Fences were up, riot gear was on and tanks holding ammunition of tear gas and water canyons were out and in the ready. Through out the day we could hear the protest out on the plaza and could watch on TV as police retaliated when protest turned violent. We decided to stay far from any of the protest. Tear gas was launched and water canyons used when students started fires int he streets.

We left that group about 7pm to meet Travis and some other El Oasis kids for a free symphony concert. Then it was off to an awesome coffee shop to just sit and chat for a couple hours. It was very nice. After that Travis took us to Universidad de Chile, one of the main spots of the student protest. After showing our student IDs they let us in. It was just like a rebel base, or a barricade feeling. Planning going on everywhere, big white boards about what was planed for the upcoming day, signs being made, and even chant rehearsal. Again we commented about how hard it would be to ever get tech students to attempt such an adventure.

For there we headed back to the Hostal with every intention of going to bed to get some sleep in preparation for the early morning we had today. But alas, upon arrival to the Hostal there was a large group outside on the balcony drinking whine, dancing, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. I and Sean, in our unstoppable social nature, could not pass up that opportunity and went outside to join the group. We again met people from all over and practiced our Spanish some more. And the most unexpected fantastic surprise happened- I met the local women’s rugby club coach! Honestly! His name is Sebastian and his club practices on Mondays and Wednesdays not too far from here and I was invited to join them right away, guess what I am going to do Monday night? So pumped. I had been planning on going to bed soon at that point, but was convinced instead to join the group out dancing, and I can not say no to that. And oh what a night. 1^st off no one gets to the clubs before 1am, 2^nd club plays the most wonderful assortment of music from reggaton to classic rock to rap to hard core metal to local Chilean, 3^rd Latino boys are incredible dancers, 4^th Latino boys love blond haired Americans. Basically saying I didn’t stop dancing all night and had the time of my life. So much fun just dancing and singing the night away. So many times I just cracked up laughing when I started thinking about this was my new home. Wow.

July 12th 2011

We arrived in Santiago this morning. I can not believe I am actually here. You can think and dream about something all you want, but its not until you are walking around, confused, lost, and can’t speak the language that it becomes real. I don’t think it will set in for a long while that this is my new home.

I left Yellowstone last Thursday July 8^th. I was pretty sad to go, that place felt more right with my soul than anywhere I have lived before. My time there was only 6 weeks but I felt so rejuvenated and refreshed during that time. I learned what peace was, and I know that is going to come in handy these next few months here.

After an extremely delayed couple of plane flights home, I landed in Houston TX 1:00 am July 9^th, 2011. It was my first time back in the South during a summer in 3 years and it was at least 95° and 90% humid. It was disgusting. But I loved my 3 days I got at home. Got to hang out with family, catch up with wonderful old friends who made me laugh harder than I have in a long time, and just be reminded how great home really is.

I left Houston at 9:00am Monday July 11^th. Had a 10 hour layover in Atlanta. It’s cool the way God works cause he let me tour both of my homes before taking off for a long adventure. Caroline, my roommate for this past year and greatest gift to my life in the past 6 months picked me up at the airport and took me back to the bungalow. Time with her and then a random assortment of other people I absolutely adore really made for the best layover of my life. We even had dinner at my favorite Atlanta restaurant, The Flying Biscuit.

Tam and Fites dropped me off at the airport where I met up with 3 of my team members; Sean, Nick, and Chris. We all happened to be flying out on the same flight at 10pm all under buddy passes down to Chile. We said goodbye to their parents and at the gate found a pleasant surprise- the flight was half empty, therefore we would all not only get on the flight, but would be flying first class together down there!. Now that is a way to travel- all the foot room you could want, a menu in which to choose from the best air plane food I have ever tasted, non-stop personal service, a lap TV full of your choice of movies and open bar. All that plus Nick and I chatted most the trip in our excitement of what’s to come, I barley even got to try the fully reclining chair’s “sleep” position. Probably due to our giggling and excitement, everyone thought Nick and I were on our honeymoon, it made us laugh even more and just said thank you to all the congratulatory remarks. At about 7:00am breakfast was served, I choose the fresh egg and spinach bagels complete with fresh fruit and a mimosa and when we opened up the screen on the window next to me, we were met with the most INCREDIBLE view. The sun was coming up over the mountains and was bursting with colors as the fog below was rising up off the valleys. The snow capped mountains were every where, stretching far beyond what I could seen- even from up in the air. The size and beauty of them made my heart skip a beat. It was unreal.

The plane landed and we made our way through security and customs, all of us and our bags made it through fine. Spanish was everywhere around me. Already I felt inadequate at my lack of understanding the language. I am going to have to learn it so fast because I NEED to communicate with people. How will I make new friends without it?!?!

Travis Horsley, an old friend and tech alum who has been down here since January had offered to pick us up in the El Oasis van. El Oasis is the Santiago branch of CCF back at tech. Basically students and recent grads come down here to minister to Chilean college students, to build community and love and inspire them. So Travis met us there in the airport and took us to our temporary home- Hostal de Armes in the Plaza de Armes Square in the very center of town. It is beautiful. Up on the 6^th floor of this very old building, it has large balconies looking over the square. Right now there is come kind of drum circle and music going on out there as well as a protest of some sorts.

Then Travis and I headed to El Oasis. I had heard about this place from so many friend who have interned down here, I was way pumped to go check it out. It was really quaint house in a really interesting part of the city. Then we got to go surprise a hero of mine. Mr. Lucas Fortunado, my fresh-tern from CCF my freshman year. Haven’t seen him since the end of freshman year. He is leaving Santiago after being here for 4 years any day now. That guy meant a lot to my life way back in 05, it was a gift from above to drop in and say hello before he leaves back to the states.

Travis taught me some Spanish lessons as he took me to lunch. I had a very traditional Chilean sandwich complete with mayo and guacamole witch I heard goes on everything here. It was delicious and the people we met in the café were wonderful. A metro ride took us back to the hostal where I met up with the other boys. We wondered around the plaza outside and it was sensory overload. Street performers everywhere, music, vendors, food, people walking by the hundreds- through the plaza around the gorgeous old fountains and old men playing chess in the gazebo. It was amazing just to walk around and watch. I could tell everyone was watching me too. Gringos (white people) stick out enough, add the fact that I was the only blond girl within miles and everyone knew I was a tourist. But they all smiled, and most wanted to chat with me. I MUST learn Spanish.

We took off to a bar where we were meeting some couch surfers. It was an old run down bar, perfect for getting pumped for the upcoming soccer match against Peru. There were 4 people visiting form Hong Kong there too as well as plenty of friendly Chileans. I had my first Chilean drink, in English it means “the earthquake” it’s a mix of pineapple ice cream, liquor, and not completely filtered wine. And it was delicious. A grand time of laughter and trying to learn more Spanish we then had a great walking tour of Santiago.

This city is beautiful. Everyone walks everywhere or takes the metro. The architecture is a mix of old and new and everywhere you look, there are snow capped mountains in the distance. The couch surfers dropped us off at another bar/restaurant where we were meeting our Start-up-Chile Host, Macarena. Macarena is a Chilean Engineer and assigned to us by the program to help make Chile our home. She’s 25 and just married 2 months ago. Her and her husband were a blast. And we cheered as loud as we could watching the soccer game and having our first Piscolas and Pisco Sours… mmmmm… ssoo good. The game was incredible. And in the last minute of the game Chile scored to win the game and the city erupted. Honestly the entire country must have gone wild. As we headed out into the street thousands of people were walking all yelling a the top of their lungs Chilean cheers and songs. Everyone jumping up and down and waving flags, throwing confetti it was crazy exciting. We headed to the main intersection where everyone gathers to celebrate Chilean wins. We quickly met some locals who taught us all the cheers and songs and in no time we found ourselves caught up in the frenzy and patriotism of it all. Chileans for the most part really like Americans. Especially those singing their national cheers at full volume and jumping around in the crowd with them. I get to be proud to be a gringo here, And proud to be able to route for Chile. Around the celebration riot police could be seen watching and standing by, just in case. As things got more and more packed and crazy we started to head back to the hostal. Its been a LONG day and an incredible one at that. I can’t believe this was just day one, I have a strange feeling that everyday is going to be like this, so farewell sleep and hello new surprises everyday. I love this place already, so happy to be here, can not wait till tomorrow.