August 2, Monday - Up at 4am, got ready for our long trip. Early in the morning the THUMPS of the suitcases being hauled down the stairs woke me up. Mind you, I am in the 4th floor with 32 flights of steps in between. The groups of Volunteers left in sessions, some at 11pm, others at 1am, another at 5am, and us at 6am.
Two motorcoaches received our extensive luggage and transported us to the Santiago bus terminal. There we unloaded the sea of suitcases, walked in the misty night two blocks to station 5. Tickets in hand we chatted until 7:25am when our motorcoach departed from Santiago to Vina del Mar.
After the two hour trek through nice mountain scenery we arrived with our sea of suitcases. No one yet meeting us. Shortly, Monica F., Elizabet, and Cinthia arrived to organize our group and split it in two. Soon, after much hugging and goodbyes our group was ready to travel to our towns. I would be the last one off the van because I am furthest north from Vina del Mar.
As we approached each family and dropped off our Vols a happy/sad feeling came over me. Maureen was first, she would be with a host family in Vina. Second, third and fourth in Villa Alemana were Ryan, Zachary, Lauren, Katie and a Vol from EOP. Finally, I was the last one off at Margarita's home, my new host mom.
It had been quite a day. My new home was like a doll house with the most spectacular view! Fresh air, beautiful mountains meeting the rocks lining the beach while the waves from the Pacific Ocean gently splashed onto them.
Mom Margarita prepared some hot tea and something to eat; I was famished by now (approx. 2:30pm). We conversed about the trip as she offered to take me to the school to meet the Director. Soon enough, we were walking about 5 minutes down the mountain's steep side to arrive at the school.
Margarita presented me to various teachers walking about until Monica, the English teacher, met up with me. Monica quickly made me feel welcomed as we went to the Administrative office. Here, I met Director Juan D.Z. and most of his staff. I would be starting tomorrow at 8:15am.
Now as mom and I go back home, I met my little brother Matias, my sister Daiana, Alexis her son, and later Alex who is Daiana's husband. I began to settle in to my room, take clothe out of the suitcases and try to arrange it to my liking. After a while friends of the family came over to meet me, then a quick bite to eat.
It was a cold evening so I wrapped real good for a nice good night. Tomorrow would be another exciting day.
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