Observations (and a few more pictures)

So, its not just Mafalda that I can't understand here, its everyone except Luciano, the Director of the Spanish school. During my job interview yesterday, I was relieved to hear that its not just me. Chilean Spanish is an actuality different from the Spanish I've been exposed to in the past. To make it worse, people talk incredibly fast and don't annunciate at all (not even a little). When I hear most people speak, every sentence sounds like one long jumbled word. I've learned that if I smile and giggle, people are more likely to repeat it slower. If I try to respond with someone that doesn't make sense, they are more likely to write me off.

A few pieces of Chilean Spanish vocab for you Spanish speakers out there:
(Disclaimer: This might not be just Chilean, its just new to me.)

palota- avocado
pololo/a- boyfriend/girlfriend
chico/a- small
ave- chicken (it actually means poultry, but they use the word here to talk about chicken on menus and stuff)

The city is really crowded now. There is the largest music festival on the continent happening here this weekend. Its a nightmare to do anything, including walking down the street. Apparently, the population of Viña doubles on this weekend every year. I kind of want to go to the music festival, but I can't figure out how to get tickets, or if there are even any still available, or where it is or anything else.... so, yeah.

It looks like I have two jobs lined up. I don't know many details yet, so I'll post more about that later.

OK, more pictures:

Does that say Allie?!?!


Vince, I would totally post about seeing a "new sky" if i knew what that was. Please, enlighten me. I haven't seen any Pinochet monuments yet. I'll keep an eye out. I haven't looked into the candy scene much, as the nut risk is so high. There is lots of ice cream though....... (Brenna, I'm trying to lure you... )

Besos,
Allie