My semester abroad in Chile

Since returning to campus this semester everyone has been asking me, "Takira, how was Chile?" My response to that question is always something like this, "It was great. I had a beautiful time. I learned a lot, got some traveling experience under my belt, and I kind of didn't want to come back home." "Well what did you do," they always ask. Long story short...a lot. In lieu of a wordy blog post, here are the highlights of my time in Chile. Adventures include locations in Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Olmue, Cajón del Maipo, Concon, and San Pedro de Atacama. Traveling to Chile soon? Feel free to use this as a reference. & Of course, tag me in your experiences :) Que te vaya bien! - Sincerely, Takira

Mid-February: I spent 3 days in Santiago, Chile before heading off to my new home in Viña del Mar.

Late February: I moved into my new apartment to meet my roommate, Paulina, who I found on AirBnb.

Early March: I started school at Universidad Adolfo Ibanez - Viña, del Mar.

Mid-March: My roommate and I got a dog (Mila). Her breed is unknown, but she's lovable nonetheless.

Mid-March: I did a Tour 4 Tips and discovered the colorful streets of Valparaíso.

Late March: I did my first solo travel in Santiago & made a new friend - my AirBnB Host, Arturo.

Late March: I went to my first fútbol game (Chile vs. Argentina)

Late March: I hiked Cerro La Campana in Olmue, Chile (well, close...I did the first four hours of the hike)

Early April: I had a night out with the guys and tried my first chorrillana.

Mid-April: I finally made my way to Viña's tourist landmark - the flower clock.

Late April: I went rafting for the first time at Cajon del Maipo. Enjoyed dinner afterwards at the legendary Casa Bosque.

Early May: I went to a Hip Hop Festival in Santiago. Think Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg meet Latin America. I observed multiple crowd members smoking weed at this "family event" and fans dressed in traditional "gangsta" gear.

Early May: I took a tour of Sky Costanera, Latin America's tallest sky scraper. (I know I'm not looking at the camera. My eyes get pretty wild when I take off my glasses.)

Early May: I went to a Chilean cooking class in Valparaíso.

Mid-May: I packed my bags, went to the airport, and ALMOST went to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The police wouldn't let me go. Details on this story coming soon.

Late May: I volunteered in the hills of Viña del Mar.

Late May: I learned that some deserts are actually cold in San Pedro de Atacama (Northern Chile).

Early June: I took a week off from school and practiced my tango skills in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Mid-June: I interviewed Viñamarinos (people from Viña del Mar) for a project in my Chilean Culture class. I learned about the eating habits of Chileans. Details coming soon.

Mid-June: I went to the sand dunes in Concón and ate amazing mussel empanadas at El Mono.

Mid-June: I went to the Museum of Memory & Civil Rights in Santiago. Cried at least three times. It was so sad.

Mid-June: I did the Tour 4 Tips in Santiago and met an awesome group of people from the United States.

Mid June: I went to Pablo Neruda's house and enjoyed a lunch of pastel de choclo and pisco sour with my best friend in Santiago. (The alst time we saw each other).

Late June: I toured Viña del Mar with my new friends and we watched the sunset in Reñaca.

Late June: I skied down the slopes of the Andes Mountains at Valle Nevado. Said my goodbyes to Chile and prepared for memories to be made in Colombia.

Thanks for checking out the summary of my study abroad in Chile. I hope that answers your questions about what I did during my semester-long journey. Check back here in September as I uncover more details. The stories I have about my experiences in South America are endless :) Until next time.

- Sincerely, Takira