"At home we are expecting you with anxieties."
The online translator said that this is what my host mother is trying to tell me. It'll be ok, Host Mama. Sure, it took me 15 minutes to write you a three sentence e-mail yesterday. And yes, my conversational Spanish is kind of limited. (In fact, my Spanish conversation record is in near mint condition.) But I’ve gone to some classes. And stuff. And sometimes I'll watch a poorly dubbed nature documentary on PBS.
The truth is that I’m actually starting to get a little nervous. I’ve developed this suspicion that it might not go exactly like it does in the textbook. I really know next to nothing about what’s coming. What happens if I lose my luggage? How do my classes work? What if my host family thinks I’m dim-witted? Will they make me eat a mussel? Should I pack a dress? And when my toothpaste runs out how do I know what brand to buy next?
Really, though, lots of people have done the same thing and lived to tell about it. Therefore, I’ve come to the happy conclusion that I’ll survive, too.
I'm going to be flying down with my friend Lacey. I met her at school last year, and I think she's going to be a great travelling companion. She's funny. Also, with our language skills combined we may have greater success actually getting to Valdivia.
Still, I will say I'm not at all sure how this bus business is going to work out. After flying into Santiago we've got find our way to a bus that will take us about 200 miles south to Valdivia. The buses aren't especially big, yet there are about 30 of us from the United States who will be trying to do the same thing along with the locals and other travellers. This may create an Amazing Race sort of scene as we all rush to find a taxi outside the airport and make it to the appropriate station and onto a bus. I'm curious to see how this all plays out.
Anyway, my bags are packed and my passport is hidden away in a dorky (but practical) money belt. I’ve exchanged lots of goodbyes and had lots of farewell fun. I think I’m about as prepared as I’m going to be. Now I just need to soothe those worried souls of my host family.
Here we go!
JacLyn
