We're finally here...well most of us anyway

We’re finally here…well most of us anyway… by Ken, Margaret, And Kenny    

What a trip.  Storey, Lauren, and Melissa left for Chile on Wednesday arriving Thursday morning.  They were able to connect via e-mail to let us all know they arrived safely.  With their e-mail was a warning that the Chilean government was not taking any US currency for the entry fee that had rips, tears, or the appearance of being dirty and that they had to use their credit cards; also that the fee had gone up $20.  Then they were off to enjoy beautiful Santiago. Margaret, Ken, Kenny, and Mike left on Thursday from Houston to Lima, to Santiago, to Concepcion.  On the way to Lima, Mike enjoyed some wine and hung out with the flight attendants and pilots. 

The layover in Peru was interesting, and even at 1:00 am, the airport was packed and bustling.  We arrived in Santiago around 6:00 am.  Margaret worried about whether or not to declare her Tony Chacherie seasoning.  While Ken and Kenny advised Margaret to live on the edge and not declare it, she did but the customs officials did not bother her.  Ken and Margaret had their money declined as well and had to put entry fees on credit cards. Lucky for him, Kenny is a German citizen and exempt from the fee.  After a short layover in Santiago, Ken, Margaret, Kenny, and Mike were off to Concepcion.  On the airplane Mike again made friends with the flight attendants – Mike sure does like to fly! 

Mike with the Pilots

Mike with the LAN flight attendants - Bienvenido a Chile!

Mr. Greg and Ms. Magda the owners of the school met us at the airport and brought us to the school.  We were given a complete tour of the school and saw all the nooks and crannies. 

Ms. Catherine brought us to the Mall so we could get phones for people to contact us on, but the prices were so good, that we got pre-paid phones for the whole group.  Each phone comes with $20 in calls and 50 free texts within Chile, but students can receive phone calls on the phones the whole time we are in Chile and do not pay for incoming calls – yeah technology!  We also got to see the students celebrate the Mapuche New Year with a festival of music and singing.  The kids are absolutely adorable.

Mapuche New Year Celebration

Ms. Catherine with a Thomas Jefferson Student

After a quick lunch at the school Deanna and Leah arrived and Ken, Margaret, and Kenny went to the apartment where we are staying.  Leah, Deanna, Ken, Margaret, and Kenny met up with Mr. Greg and Ms. Magda for dinner and then we all went to bed exhausted but excited about the adventure to come.  Today (Saturday the 23^rd) in we went and toured the downtown area prior to the arrival of flights and buses.  We saw some interesting sites and even managed a Chilean hotdog for lunch – with avocado spread on top! 

(pictures to be posted once we have good internet) 

We met the arrival of LAN Chile 207 at the airport where the host families for Jordan, Blair, and Alex met us.  Great fun was had talking about the weeks to come. Jordan, Blair, and Alex were met by very excited families ready for their host children to arrive.  Mike was happy to see everyone, too.

Blair with her host family

Deanna with her host family

Jordan with her family

Alex with her hostmother

Leah with her host family

Storey, Lauren, and Melissa were the only ones left who made the 11:30 bus, the others had to take the 1:30 bus, which means they arrived quite late.  The school said next year it is an absolute must that we take flights into Concepcion as the bus has proved to be a little too complicated and time consuming, even if it was a little cheaper.  Luckily most everyone arrived, but Samantha had some plane issues and will be joining us tomorrow. Hopefully everyone will be excited to sleep.  We will post again on Monday and the participants will start taking over the blog, full of their exciting adventures.  Stay tuned! More pictures of the bus group once we have a good solid internet connection!