lately.

Classes have started. What I like about semesters (from what I know in these 3 weeks) is that class don't shift into crazy gear immediately after the 1st class unlike the crazy trimester system. I'm taking 4 classes in total: Seguridad Ciudadana en Chile y AL, Estado y Desarrollo Sustentable, a Chilean culture/history/ politics class, and a history class (Historia de Chile siglo XVII-revolucion y independencia). I have a feeling it'll kick me in the butt later, but so far I'm blissfully exploring the different ramas. The booger of classes starting = transportation time. I'd estimate about 3 hours of my day wasted EVERY day just getting to class. It consists of walking to class, hopping on the bus, then the metro, then walking so more. I must say I feel better about using TransSantiago, but now I'm becoming one of the many disgruntled commuters. At the peak hours, approximately between the hours 4-7pm, the metros and micros are stuffed like sardines in a can. I mean CROWDS of people fill the metro station. When the metro comes by, people starting pushing like mad animals and the surge of pushing just plops you right into the metro... and then you comfortably and involuntarily get wedged in between armpits, necks, butts, chests, backpacks, bags, poles, and whatnot. The sight of the doors closing make me laugh a lot. As the doors close people suck in their stomachs, pull in whatever body part they can, and let the doors slide shut. As the metro goes all one can see is smashed bodies up on the windows. I would take a picture but I wouldn't want to risk getting jacked by someone.

On another happy note, yesterday was nice and tranquilo. Praise God for friends and company. =)