¡Hola!

I arrived in Santiago de Chile last Monday. This week has been full of surprises that make 'traveling' what it is. (Example, the first: When I arrived, it was difficult to get in touch with my employer, and when I finally contacted her, she was surprised that I was in Santiago. -- Things are all set now, and I will begin observing other teachers early next week. Ejemplo 2: The first time I went downtown [to meet said evasive employer], it was the first time I used the bus/metro system. It was practically the first time I left the apartment, really. Looooong story, shorter-- I started asking about a particular stop on the bus line [which, as it turns out, doesn't exist on that line], and a kind gentleman went very far out of his way to take me all the way to the Instituto Norteamericano...and no, he didn't steal my passport or anything like it.)

I am looking forward to ... so many things. I can't wait to get to know my way around the city. (I walked around in circles for hours today. So I know La Moneda through and through, I think.) I'm hoping my Spanish will improve a little bit, and more importantly, that I will be able to understand people when they speak. And I'll be teaching in a few weeks! Everything about this trip is an EX.PER.I.ENCE!

I'll try to keep you posted, but... I'm lazy and unreliable most of the time, so.... don't count on it.