update dump: moneda, deserts, coasts, whims, geysers, semi-camas, nieve, etc.

I'm pretty bad at updating. Just wanted to get that out there. But.. it has been a while since I've written about what I've been up to, so here we go! weeeeeee.

La Moneda: EAP had the tutores (Chilean students from our respective universities) take us to La Moneda, which is like the Chilean Government Building where Presidenta Michelle Bachalet works and all that. It was interesting to see the exact location of the golpe militar happened. What is that you say? In septiembre of 1973, the Popular Party got overthrown by a military coup led by Pinochet. La Moneda was bombed, Allende (the Populist president- 1st president with communist ideology ever elected) committed suicide, and there was pretty much a battle between the right and the left. History is fascinating...Unfortunately it was only a short 20 minute tour. I learned things for sure. I'm also segura that I was one of the very few that was actually excited about going and learning about the history. It also surprised me that La Moneda was so open to the public.

lugar donde se murió Allende

map gigante de Chile

mi grupo con el tutor, Luis

museo abajo de la moneda

We finished up our Intensive Language Program class on the 18th of July. After presentations of our mini-trips, we had a little fiesta consisting of café, té, sandwiches and good company. During the last week of class people started getting in little groups to travel together. I threw myself in a group going to Northern Chile (go naturaleza!) after deciding to not go to another city city (Buenos Aires)- I will go there someday though. We left to the aeropuerto at beauitful 5 am, and left for Iquique via avión (plane) at 8ish. Amazing thing: security, waiting and all, took less than 5 minutes. How I miss those days.

prof. lesmer y yo en el último día de clase

Coming up next: 19 de Julio hasta 27 de Julio- Vacaciones después ILP- El Norte de Chile
Then: El Colorado: nieve en julio