CHILE

After a long night of freezing in the rain of Santiago and sleeping in the subway I finally got a bus to Arica. There I would really get the Chilean experience while staying with a family near the beach. I spent a lot of my time there trying to get my Bolivian visa, but along with the walks to the embassy everyday was plenty of time for sitting on the beach, watching surfers, and relaxing.

The family I lived with instantly made me feel as if I was part of it. The mother took excellent care of me and kept me well fed and washed my clothes for the first time in months. They gave me a large room to myself while they all moved into 1 room together to make me feel more at home. I tutored the youngest son 11 math and the others English, while in return they taught me Spanish.

I spent the week relaxing and the boys showed me around the city. At night we would wrestle around the house and play games. The last day YoYo took me swimming in the cold pacific surf wearing wet suits. While catching a surf through a cave I got thrashed into the side and sea urchines destroyed me. With adequate amounts of beer we spent most of the night digging spines out of my hands and feet. It took me 3 days before I finally got them all out.

My week was so amazing, it was sad to say goodbye. I have to return in a few weeks and get proper surf lessons from the kids once my foot is fully healed. The entire family is surf champions and run the Magic Surf School. It was an absolutely authentic experience and I feel like I always have a home in Arica, Chile.