The Hunky Mechanic and other updates

Oh my, a lot seems to have happened in the last few weeks. I will do my best to recount the last 20 days of my life, I apologize if I omit anything important. Some highlights include, The Santiago Marathon, an invitation to go out on a date with a Chilean, my first private lessons, Carolyn`s visit, Pablo Neruda`s house: Isla Negra, some fabulous care packages and a Professor at my school who has earned himself the nickname of 'Hunky Mechanic'. Here we go.

The weekend of April 4-5 was the Santiago Marathon and Half Marathon. My boss, Thomas was running the full marathon and two friends (Jenny and Karen) were running the half. Several of our WT compañeras came up from Concepcìon to watch the race. As such, we had about 15 of the WT volunteers in town for the weekend, which was a lot of fun. We went out for Chorillana in Nuñoa, found an American bar to watch the Final Four and got to catch up on teaching and life in General.
After Basic Bar, we headed towards Bella Vista to go dancing. The music wasn`t that great, but having 10 Gringos on a dance floor is always a good time. Actually, that was when I met the Chilean Francisco, who a couple of days later asked me out. I haven't gone yet, but I probably will. It's been a while since I had an honest to goodness date. The Gringos and I headed back toward Andes hostel where we spend the rest of those wee small hours in the morning.
At 8 the next morning, we headed out to cheer for the rest of the Marathoners. Watching the Marathon was absolutely beautiful. I honestly got teared up as I watched runners approach Mile 26. I found a marathon in Buenos Aires in October and I am trying to start training for it. We will see.
The following Tuesday Carolyn, Barbara and Ana arrived in Chile. The trip was a lot of fun. We went horseback riding in the Andes, we stayed in a house in the Mountains. We had a couple of very typical Chilean Asados (BBQ's) and had a really great time. Then on Sunday we headed into Viña Del Mar for a couple of days at the beach. We had originally planned to stay there only Sunday night, but Carolyn and I decided to extend our stay a little bit longer, so I cancelled my Monday class and we stayed in Viña another night. It was great because that gave us the chance to wander around Valparaiso, a town that I hadn`t spent any time in previously.
Valpo is even more charming and Bohemian in person than it is on postcard and in descriptions. I loved it and could see myself spending a lot of time there over the course of the next year. It's unlike any other city that I know. There are moments when it seems to parallel San Francisco, but in general, it is a city of its own, which is part of the reason I loved it so much.
Eventually it was time to head back to Santiago and so we said so long to the beach and headed home. More or less. I was able to convince Carolyn to extend her vacation a little bit longer and so we were able to spend even more time together. This meant, among other fabulous things, another beach weekend. So on Friday night, I headed back out to Viña to meet Carolyn who had arrived there the day before. Carolyn treated me like the Regalon and had room service waiting for me when I arrived.
The next day we headed out to Isla Negra (Pablo Neruda`s home) for a tour. I was glad that we went because it was definitely the kind of place that you need a car to visit. It was incredibly beautiful and I have to ban Reginald Lathan from ever visiting it for fear that he might be TOO inspired by all of the eccentric homey details that gave the house its style. It was like a little tiny Hearst Castle or a very big Watts Towers. Depending on how you see things.
My favorite Pablo Neruda quote from the tour 'Everything tastes better out of brightly colored glasses.' Every cup and glass in his house was gaudy and delightful, we had to get some tacky glasses for ourselves just to test the theory. I will let you know when I come to a decision.
The Regalon treatment continued as we headed home when Carolyn got an extra room for my friends and me. Alex, Raisa, Laura and I went dancing in Viña del Mar at Cafe Journal, where we, naturally, started the party. Everyone was sitting when we arrived, but within 10 minutes of us embarassing ourselves on the dancefloor the rest of the crowd joined in. It was great.
I have started my first private lessons with a 5 year old. He is the son of one of the other Teachers at school. His name is Diego and he is absolutely adorable. I am so happy to have the opportunity because I have missed working with kids since I got here. We have had two lessons thus far, and they have both gone well. We are learning the alphabet and its a lot of fun.
Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out the best way to trade English Lessons for a personal trainer. If I start training for this Marathon in earnest I want someone to create a work out plan for me, just so that I have to stick to it. I love my gym and the two hours I spend there are usually my favorite in the day. In fact, I am headed there as soon as I finish this post.
Finally, the mystery you have been waiting for: The Hunky Mechanic. This nickname may conjure up an image of some kind of meathead or grease monkey, but I can assure you, he is not. I have in fact found an attractive Chilean. (Whoa) Unfortunately, the only details that I know about him are that he is 6'5, very stylish and is a Mechanics professor at Duoc. So, he earned himself the nickname. Just to clarify: I don't actually talk to him, I just smile, stare, wave and exchange formalities, but hey, a girl has to start somewhere right?
Alright, that's all for now, I hope that you are all well, Santiago is still reasonably warm and I am enjoying the last days of summer as best as I possibly can. No plans for the weekend, but Brendan's host mom asked if I could make another batch of Chili, and Mauricio Bombero (Brendon's host brother) said he is having a party at his house, so we might go to that. Stay out of trouble. Love Rad.