So mystery person who commented on my last blog wants to know more about my life in Chile..

I avoided details in the last blog for fear of boring you guys.... because my list is by now VERY long. So, below I will include some of my favorite memories in Chile.

--Riding a horse along the beach next to the glittering ocean in La Serena (colonial town 6 hrs north of Santiago)
--Visiting an observatory and learning about as well as viewing many stars, star clusters, and planets through the telescope. I also observed several constellations like the Southern Cross, the Scorpio and Capricorn zodiac sign.
--Going to a fiesta where there was traditional Chilean music, many dancing, good food, good wine, and nice scenery with my whole laboratory and the adjacent laboratory. I had a very good time and felt very loved
--One very cold night, I peeked outside the door of my residencia, and to my surprise found it snowing!! A rare night that I enjoyed with many other panamanians. we frolicked like little kids hahaha :)
--Exploring downtown Santiago at night and having a nice talk with Mario as well as a tour of many areas
--Eating sweet popcorn at the beautiful Cerro Santa Lucia with Shannon
--Eating chupe de jaiba (a pastel dish with cheese and crab and maybe potatoes) in the central market (mercado) with girls from my laboratory (Karla, Paulina, and Carolina)
--Snowboarding in the Andes mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Eating Congrio in San Antonio and seeing Pablo Neruda's house in Isla Negra (Humberto, Mario Pelado, and Paula)
--Dancing at a great club in Valparaiso... also salsa dancing in a Cuban club here in Suecia

Plus many other memories in my laboratory, plus the Catolica laboratory, as well as in my residencia with the Panamanians...

I will miss so many people!!! o... i am very happy, but its hard not to think the sad thought about my impending departure. i want to cry...
:'(

Okay... no... I have no updated this diligently like I meant to... but that does not mean that I have not kept a record of my travels. Pictures say all, plus I have many handwritten entries.. which are a bit more private (and not for you to read.. haha).

I am now nearing the end of my stay here in Chile. I have less than 2 weeks. I have built many relationships... with Chileans, with Panamanians, with Trinidadians, and many other Latin Americans. The temperature is warming up, and it is nearing Spring. Like this, the change in the weather, I feel like also signifies a change in my life and my stay. I cannot believe it. I am so very very happy here and so at peace. All things come to an end though. I must move on with life and take on new challenges and new opportunities. I cannot cling to the past. For that only sickens the soul and and the same time wastes my precious youth.

I feel older. Wiser.

I think I look older and wiser too. When I go home, I expect my family and friends to perceive me differently. I have also gained some weight.. haha Chilean food is not good! Too many sweets (manjar on everything! but i love alfajors... and super 8s and golpes...), too much mayo, and palta too.

I am so thankful for this experience here. Really I am a happy girl and I know I have lived a good life thus far. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible for me.