Monday, Maxi and Montserrat went to school, but Cristobal,
Nancy, and I went to some government office (I forget the name but it was like
the equivalent to the DMV) to get my ID card. In Chile, when you are walking in
public you are required to have your ID card with you at all times. We had to
wait like 2 hours before they would take us, so we waited in the car with the
heater on. When it was our turn, I gave them my paperwork, and they took my
photo and fingerprints. I can get my official Chilean ID card in few weeks.
After that, Nancy and I went to the Jumbo to buy a few things from the grocery
store. We looked around in the stores and talked. Then, we went to Instituto
Ingles to pick up Maxi and Montserrat.
While we were waiting, Nancy introduced
me to a few of my classmates. I admit, I was really nervous to meet them, but
the people who noticed me (they knew an exchange student was coming, and I
guess I looked the part) were so friendly and welcoming—even if I couldn’t
understand what they were saying. A little while after we got home, two of
Cristobal’s friends came over. I didn’t know what to do because I wanted to
meet them and be friendly, but at the same time I didn’t want to intrude on his
life especially since I couldn’t understand what they were saying or really say
much in response. I sat with them while they played Fifa (the video game) and
then they asked if I wanted to go play soccer with them outside. I was prepared
to say no, since I’m not exactly athletic and I didn’t want to get in the way
of their game, but then Montserrat wanted to play too, so I decided to join. It
was actually really fun! They are all so good at soccer, and I basically just
looked like a bumbling idiot, but it was nice to do something that didn’t
involve speaking Spanish. Yes, it was awkward, but they were so friendly, and
I’m glad I made the effort. After they left, Nancy, Montserrat, and I went to
the grocery store to do the “monthly shopping”. I thought we would just buy a
few things like my family does in the US. We went up and down every single
aisle and spent 3 hours completely filling a cart with food. We bought so much
and it was all things I have never heard of!
When we got home, we unloaded all
the food, put it away in the kitchen, and I took a shower and got ready to
start school the next morning!
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