Hola a todos! I've officially been in Valdivia for a week. WHAT. It seems like it has been forever but at the same time, I can't believe that this is my life! Sometimes I forget where I am and then I am zapped back into reality when someone speaks Spanish at me. My first week has been pretty relaxed; I'm trying to get to know the city and get used to all my classes and my life for the next few months. But there have been some exciting things: kareoke bars, CLASSES (I am a nerd), micros, new people, police stations, etc.

First off, can I just say that Valdivia is the rainiest place I have ever been. It's winter here now and basically it rains all day every day. And it's not just drizzling. There is an almost constantly terrifying rain storm happening in Valdivia. Apparently people call it Val-lluvia (lluvia is Spanish for rain) which I think is pretty appropriate. I really thought I was accustomed to the rain after living in Bellingham for two years, but I was wrong. Val-lluvia wins.

The reason I went to the police station this week was to get my Chilean ID! Since I have a student visa, I get to be a legit student resident for four months. On Tuesday, I had to go to the PDI station (there are two types of police in Valdivia- the civil police and the investigators. The PDI is the investigator's office) and sign some forms and get my picture taken and show them my passport, and then today I went to the civil registration office and got my picture taken and got fingerprinted. Actually, this isn't very exciting, but it is pretty important.

I've gone shopping nearly every day this week. I keep thinking of new things I have to buy! Umbrella, scarves, sweaters, folders, pencils... So I've been exploring el centro and trying to find places to buy things! Today I also bought an Isabelle Allende book (in Spanish)! I've never read any of her books before, but now that I'm in her homeland it's very necessary.

One funny thing about Chilean culture (and probably South American culture in general) is that whenever people see each other or meet each other, they kiss each other on the cheek. When I meet other people's host parents, we kiss on the cheek. When I meet my host sister's friends, we kiss on the cheek. When I get home from school, my family and I kiss on the cheek. And when I leave the house, we kiss on the cheek. ALL THE TIME! It definitely took me by surprise my first night because Edu & I ran into a few of her friends downtown (including her boyfriend's siblings) and I got kissed on the cheek like 20 times. It takes a little getting used to but I am totally down for being affectionate.

I also have a new favorite word in Spanish- alcachofa, meaning artichoke! It sounds as funny as it looks.

Tonight the plans are: foreign film on campus, Beatles cover band, and la discoteca!