Hola!
Well it is Saturday and I have finally had a nice big sleep and am feeling almost back to normal after a fairly exhausting (but good) week. I have gotten a little used to being on holiday I am afraid! I have had Spanish every day this week which has been fantastic. It is 3hrs formal tuition from 10 - 1.30, and having to think that hard is something I am not usd to! I have learnt so much though, and all the time I am understanding more - especially when my friends actually speak at a normal speed rather than flat out with no breathing as is the typical speed for Chilean spanish (they are known for their rapid slang filled conversations!)

I have also been taking part in the activities after class. On Wednesday we had a winery tour which was really good. The guide would say everything in nice clear slow Spanish, and then in English which was great for me to check the meaning. We also got to taste a couple of wines. The Sav was nothing on a NZ Sav, but the Cabernet Savignon was right up there with the Australia ones. Similar climate I guess. We also had one of the Spanish teachers with us so it was good for practising speaking spanish, and three of the guys were from Brasil, and although their English was good it turned out to be easier to speak in a combination of the two languages to make myself understood. On Wednesday night I went to the movies with Tuca. We saw Revolutionary Rd, and it was in English with Spanish subtitles so I was able to understand. Was quite a good movie, confronting, but interesting.

On Thursday I taught my demo class for one of the English schools. I thought it went quite well, the students seemed to understand and enjoy it which is the main thing. The observing teacher seemed to like it, but had a few things for me to work on, including not talking so much, which is probaly fair enough. They want to put me through a training course, which totally clashes with Spanish next week which is disappointing as I would really rather go to Spanish. But I guess I need to get a job so had better go and do the training course. Hopefully I can do my second week of Spanish the week after. I will have to sort it all out with the school.The communication hasnt been wonderful about the training and everything though. There are six of us doing this training course, and I dont know how many jobs there are at the end of it. Though I guess that any training course has got to be helpful whether I get a job at the end or not. And it wouldnt be a bad place to work as part of the salary package is two weeks free Spanish, which would be awesome for me!

After Spanish on Thursday I went with one of the professors on a tour of some of the historic areas in Santiago. We spent quite a bit of time in Barrio Bellavista, which I have previously posted photos of, and then a little time in town, and some time in Barrio Brasil which you have also seen. It was a long afternoon of concentrating, and by the end I was understanding less and less, but was interesting all the same. I was carrying about 3kg of fruit though because we had been to the fruit shop as part of our Spanish class earlier in the day. Then I had to rush home to go out for happy hour with Tuca, Miguel (the people I am staying with), Chris and Paulina, and Juan. The happy hour here is pretty awesome - you get two drinks for the price of one, which is great in itself, but then each drink just comes as the spirit in the glass and they are big enough to make two strong drinks out of. SO that is really four quite strong drinks for the price of one. Which in my opinion is a great idea. We had a lovely night, chatting and joking. Said goodbye to Chris as he left for NZ on Friday night. Its all good though, as the others are such fantastic people, and I feel so lucky to have been introduced to them all!

Juan has actually just won a scolarship to study in Australia beginning in the middle of the year. His first preference uni is Monash, so I said that if he goes to Melbourne I will give him some of my friends numbers and hopefully they would take him out for a drink and maybe show him around a little... just warning some of you! He is fantastic though, extremely laid back and fun, and speaks good English, and I think it would be a pretty easy job!

Then on Friday, the other two people in my class didnt turn up to Spanish so I had three hours on my own. It was really great because it meant I had to talk all the time, and that I could get lots of questions answered. I was totally exhausted at the end of it. And last night Miguels father was staying here, although Miguel, Tuca and Juan left after tea for the beach. He doesnt really speak any English, so we had an interesting conversation that centred around my dictionary! He was extremely patient though and it was great practice for me. I really enjoyed it and it is nice to know that if I really have to make myself known there are ways and means. He works mining copper up in the mountains, driving enormous trucks, so it was quite educational for me.

This weekend I am going to be studying and relaxing mostly, ready for another full on week next week. Am starting to feel like I am fitting in a bit better, and am more confident at getting the things that I need (and making a fool of myself), though ordering food is still challenging as they ask give you a million options for every part of the meal. It usually means I end up choosing the only thing that I understand, or just nodding and smiling and hoping they make the decision for me.

Am off to the supermarket now, before all the Chileans get out of bed and block the aisles with millions of trolleys. Hasta luego,
KiwiKaz.