How did I end up in a country with no central heating?

Chile gets cold. About as cold as Seattle as far as I've surmised, which is colder that I chose to acknowledge when I picked this location and therefore, colder than I chose to pack for. I brought one sweater... what is wrong with me?!?! This is fine. I can buy sweaters.... but..... BUT, most buildings don't have heat... like mine. Let me repeat that: my building has no central heating. (Daddy, will you send me a furnace? {note: Daddy sells furnaces}) I keep telling myself that it will be okay... I will survive... this will build character... and my collection of sweaters, scarves and long underwear. This development also inspired me to do something drastic.... join a gym.

Everyone knows that jumping around keeps you warm, right? That was part of my tactic in Vermont and I survived that no problem. Certainly, I can use this to help me through a winter in much mild milder Chile.

Miss Julie has been an avid gym goer here in Chile since I met her. She has also been trying to talk me into joining her since we met. Two factors (besides wanting to keep warm) eventually put me over the edge.

Factor1: The gym has a class called “Power Jump” in which you are not only allowed to, but are encouraged to jump around on trampolines for 45 minutes at a time.

Factor 2: I had to see “La Maquina. ” La Maquina is Spanish for the machine. It is the title Julie has given to a gorgeous work out instructor who teaches Power Jump as well as other ridiculously titled aerobics classes such as Body Combat and Body Jam. (Yes... all class titles are in English... also strange.)

Power Jump with La Maquina? Staying warm by jumping on trampolines? How could I say no?

Welllllll, I joined the gym... and went to Power Jump. The aerobics room is basically a dance club. Picture a dark room (at 10am) with colored spot lights that pulse and circle the room in time with the music. Also, there is a spot light on La Maquina, which I thought was a nice touch. I can only describe the music as dance remixes of dance songs. Stuff that you would only expect to hear in gay bars full of people on ecstasy. It made me feel extremely under dressed. I kept thinking “I can't believe that I am here in sweat pants! And where did I put my drink?” And then it would come back to me that it was 10:30 in the morning and I was at the gym...

Over all, it was a moderately enjoyable experience and it definitely beat sitting on the couch, shivering over a cup of tea.

Besos,

Allie