School is back in session!

BACK IN SCHOOL !! :)

YEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Finally! Anna and I are back in school, teaching after a 3 week nationwide teachers strike. The break was a mix of fun and boredom (mostly fun since we traveled :), but overall we are very happy to be back in school. Honestly, it has been long enough that we feel a bit like we are starting over again. Yet, I think that we will fall back into the swing of things in no time and I already feel the rythm coming back. It was unfortunate that the students, Anna, and I were caught in the middle of the strike and now we have to make up the lost time. Two good things did come from the strike: 1) we got our winter vacation early, before the prices increase as well as the number of travelers 2) the teachers are going to receive the money promised to them.

A bit of background on the why the strike happened (from what I understand): The teachers here in Chile were supposed to receive an increase in their salary the last couple of years, but they never got it. The government sent the money to each reagion, but the money was used up and the teachers never recieved it. This wasn´t fair to the teachers who, just like at home, don´t get paid what they deserve. So, they went on strike for a day or so when Anna and I first arrived, but that didn´t get anyones attention. So, they went on a longer strike...3 weeks to be exact until an agreement was reached. Strikes are a reality here in Chile...BUT before you go ahead and pass judgement remember that even more "developed countries" go on strike often. For example, traveling was often a pain for me in Italy because there always seemed to be a strike going on with the train workers, bus workers, etc. But, I do think that people here strike too often and wish that it wasn´t so common.

Anyways, the good news is that Anna and I are back to teaching! I can´t believe we only have 6 months left of teaching! There are a lot of things that we both miss about home (i.e. KFC for Anna :)...check out the last post), but we have loved being here so much that 6 months seems too little time left to enjoy everything. There are many things that I have really loved about Chile & Chileans and here is a small list:

-The food!

Bread is better here, there are tons of new sweets to try, etc.!

-The language.

Even Chileans here admit that they speak fast and with a lot of "modismos", but their rythm of speaking and the different words they use makes it all the more fun and unique to learn.

-The people.

Chileans are very affectionate, much more than we are, especially at our church. On the flip side they are very dependent on their families, but on the positive side very relational and supportive.

-The landscapes

Chile has some AMAZING places to see, mostly national parks and other outdoors places to go, i.e. Torres del Paine.

-Soccer!

Soccer is the National sport here and there is something nice about having one sport that everyone is into instead of a multitude of sports.

-The Wine

Chilean wine is very good here and much cheaper than back in CA.

Well, these are just a few of my favorite things about Chile. We have been here just a short time so I am sure that Anna and I will discover more things that we like :)!!