Saturday, el 11 de julio 2009

Well last night was something I never expected to be doing in Chile...Erin, Marcello, and I went and played Bingo at a Charity event in Casablanca. And it was actually a blast! Getting to Casablanca was more of a challenge though. Marcello couldn't drive to come pick us up since he was already in Casablanca, so we had to take a bus. I don't know why everyone here thinks I am the responsible one, but between Erin and I, I guess I am. So Pili gave me the tickets, and explained how to get to the place to get the bus. She told me where the station was and I easily knew where that was in Valpo, but the minor detail she left out was that I had to go INSIDE a building to get to the buses that go outside of Viña and Valpo. Yeah that little bit if info is was messed us up. BUT once I figured it out, it was smooth sailing. It was only a $2.00 bus ride to Casablanca, and it was in like a little tour bus. I love the view to Casablanca, there are trees all around us, and they are pine trees! It so reminds me of Idaho...its kind of crazy how similar some of the landscape here is. Our family worries about us like crazy because I swear I got like 10 calls on the ride there, all from Pili and Marcello! Once we got to Bingo, it was a blast. And it was a little bit of a challenge having to listen to the numbers in spanish, but not too bad. This Charity event was put on by the lions club of casablanca for a woman that needs to have some kind of operation on her heart, so all the proceeds go to her. I felt good helping such a worthy cause. There were all kinds of prizes donated, and each one of us actually walked home with a prize too! Marcello won a tablecloth and placemats, I won curtains (cortinas), and Erin won a fancy plate with a painting of ducks and a pond and tall grass. The prizes were nothing special to us, but we are excited to show Pili when Marcello brings them to Viña for us. She told us we had to come home with at least one prize, and if it was something we couldn't take home to the states she would just have to have it. :)

So after a wonderful night of Bingo and tea and a glass of pisco sour, Erin and I headed home on the bus. It is always interesting when we have to talk to people in daily life here, because they speak so fast and I feel like I just stare at them with the deer in headlights look, and they just stare right back. Oh I can't wait for the day when that doesn't happen! But when we got off the bus another woman was getting off today and spoke english to us! She helped us get a colectivo, which is ALWAYS hard in Valpo and we talked and got to know eachother. The people here are so nice. And she was great, she was a nurse for the navy, but she lives in a pension where a lot of Americans live, so her english was amazing! I love making new friends here, and she (Marcella) came into our lives at the perfect moment!

It turned out to be a really relaxed and fun night! Today is probably going to be about the same. The sun is hiding behind some clouds today, and we have no plans so I think we are just going to be hanging out and enjoying some time to relax. Another walk along the beach sounds nice! Have a wonderful Sunday everyone! :)

Chao,

Britt