First Day of School!!!

(Actually a more apt title would be first days of school because today was my 3rd, but who's counting?)

In this picture I'm pressed all the way against the wall because I'm too tall for Chilean mirrors. 

On Wednesday, I started school at Colegio San Ignacio de Talca.  Going to school was one of my biggest apprehensions about my exchange year, but it has definitely been my favorite part so far.  At school, I'm making friends, practicing my Spanish (especially the words they would never teach in School), and learning in class... ok maybe not that last one, but the other two definitely.  

My class is called Tercero Medio B.  The closest American equivalent is Junior Year/11th grade.  There are about 30 students in my class, including two other exchange students, Jules from France and Tristan from Germany.    The three of us have quite the fan club.  Every day I spend my recess (yes, we have recess in high school, how great is that?) posing for pictures and greeting other students.  Everyone wants to be friends with the gringo who speaks Spanish.  Today, I was late to history class because I was meeting so many new people!   

This is my Uniforme Deportivo that I wear on days when I have P.E.  Sorry for the blurry picture, I was likely shivering when I took it.    

Jaqui, my host mom, and I riding the bus home from school.

On Fridays, we only go to school in the morning, so I had the afternoon off.  Jaqui took me to see La Virgen, a huge statue of Mary on top of the mountain overlooking the city.  Many Catholics believe that if you travel to La Virgen and pray to her, she will grant any request.  Every December, hundreds of people walk up the steep slopes, praying and singing Ave Maria on the way.  

 Me, I enjoyed the views more than the religious element.  It was cloudy today, so I didn't bring my nice camera, but if you look closely you can make out the Andes on the other side of the city through the clouds.  Also, I could see my street from the mountain, and that was pretty cool.

 My classmates invited me to a party this weekend, so hopefully I can go.  I can't wait to make lots of friends, especially with the Rotary Youth Exchange district conference and Easter Island trip coming up!  Stay in touch.

Nos vemos,
Max