Bon Voyage! ??

My feelings about leaving had been back and forth. One moment I was excited to think about staying, the next I was excited about leaving to see family and friends. The hard part about being so far away is that it is a long trip and, in most cases, not cheap. I think that has been the hardest part about saying goodbye. Normally, you are at a comfortable distance to be able to communicate by phone and maybe take a short flight to see people...

No te vayas Jami...no te vayas....don´t go. I don´t know what it has been about hearing these words so often...but, in the end...I am not ready to leave. I feel as though I have just started...just started on what I could do here.

It won´t be easy to start. Luckily I have some friends that are willing to help, but even then, I know I need to be careful about who I trust. I am already finding the dificulties of being a gringa looking for a place to live...being a gringa people see dollar signs. Yesterday I talked with a man about a room in a hostal. First, he was prodding to hear what other offers I had...or what I was willling to pay. I just looked at him and said, it doesn´t matter, what are you going to charge me? He gives me a quote in dollars. I look at him and say...I´m not making dollars, I am making pesos...what is the cost in pesos? I could see he was trying to top dollar. The price he quoted me was good...but, now i have to figure out about how many pesos I could comfortably be earning.

It is an adventure. Because, to rent an apartment or house, you have to have/buy all the furniture to go with it...including the fridge. It is still reasonable, in dollars. ;) We will see.

In the end, if I haven´t said it already...I am staying in Chile. I was able to get a refund, or credit, for my ticket and I have the year to use it. My visa is good until August...so why not take advantage of it now, while I am here?

I have no idea what will result from all this, but, I guess time will tell. Wish me luck! I have nothing to lose....and everything to gain... If it doesn´t work, I can go home. :)

Alright...cheers! I have to get some papers together to find a job. I had to get a picture taken to attach to my resume because they are very focused on appearance here. Being that I am norteamericana and fluent in English...my odds are greatly increased....at least that is what I am told....we will see. :)

Cheers!