Voleibal de Maite y Copete-carrete

Last thursday (August 6, 2009), Erin and I went to another game of my sister Maite. She is an amazing volleyball player. I have never understood the sport before coming here, but with the help of Maite and Erin, I am catching on very fast and finding it to be very interesting. But Maite seriously is incredible to watch, she has such power when she hits the ball. I have only seen her play on her highschool team, and she is by far the best player they have. The team would probably not have a good chance of winning their games without her. I really hope I get to watch her play on the national team of Chile. I took a few photos of her and her team, but the lighting was terrible in the gym at this other school, so excuse my terrible photos, but you can at least get the main idea. Next time I will take better photos if the game is at Maite's high school or perhaps even a national game.

(Above: This is Maite practicing, she moves too fast for me to capture a photo. She is that good!)

Above: Maite is the only on the ground, only halfway in the photo on the right. Yeah it was a random photo, I think I was just trying to see if I could take a good photo with the crummy lighting.

It is very exciting around her for Maite right now. She is leaving this coming thursday (August 13, 2009) to go to Hungary to play volleyball (pretty sure its with the national team but I really have no idea). But before she goes to Hungary, she gets to spend her first day in Europe, in Paris! She is so excited, and I am so excited for her. I know she is going to love Paris and all of Europe, especially the hot weather there right now! Her whole family is jealous. But it is so great she gets to experience all of these places just by participating in sports, and she is only 16! It is very very cool to me. :)

Last friday (August 7, 2009), Constanza, Sergio, Marcello, Erin and I went out in the evening. We went to dinner in a restairant in Valparaíso. It was called Malandrino's if I remember correctly. It was very small and very quaint, but I loved it. And the pizza was ALMOST the same that I tasted in Italy. So that is definitely saying something! But yes it was a very traditional place, and we had a great time sharing pizza, conversation and drinks. Erin and I had amaretto sours, which were exquisite, the taste was amazing. And the rest had pisco sours. I had a sip of one and it was so strong, and it was even strong to Marcello, Constanza and Sergio, and thats saying something! Then after cena (dinner) we went to another little place in Valpo called "Poblenou" because our family found this place and said it has some of the best pisco sour they have ever tried. And they were right! They were amazing... and needless to say we drank a little more than we probably should have. But we had an amazing time just relaxing by the fire, sipping on Pisco Sour, and laughing and talking, a little more on the laughing side for me though. I have no idea, but everything was funny to me that night, I think I was crying the whole night just from laughing so hard. It felt like I had had an ab workout the next morning. But the difference with these pisco's I guess is they had miel (honey) and that made them better. Oh and also they were shaken not stirred, so there was this foam on top. Yeah they were incredible and I can't wait to go back again and have another great night con mi familia (with my family). we decided that night that each month we all are going to pick a new place to go eat at then go to another place for drinks. Next month is going to be a restaurant called, "Pasta e Vino," and I was told this place is known all around Chile for amazing cuisine. Its a little more on the expensive side, but I have a feeling its going to be way worth it! So next month you all have that story to look forward too. :)