rainy days in valpo

One week from tomorrow and I am officially a college graduate. A few months later than my classmates, but I made it (almost). Between now and then I will turn in a 10 page paper (almost done and by far the longest and most complicated paper I have ever written in Spanish), give two presentations, and take a difficult meteorolgy midterm. Right now it is freezing and rainy. I'm sitting in the cafeteria of one of the classroom buildings on campus, bundled up in my coat, hat, gloves and scarves becuase from every angle I can feel the drafty air coming in from the outside. It has not rained here often but when it rains, it RAINS. The streets flood and become small rivers. Children stay home from school and if you dare stand too close to the street curb you WILL get soaking wet.

Yesterday we said goodbye to the kids at the elementary school becuase the class for which we do our volunteer work is ending this week. I personally will at least go visit them before I leave, but regardless it was sad. I feel strange passing in for 8, 9 weeks, creating these bonds and then peaceing out back to the United States so quickly. A few kids wrote me goodbye letters, begging me not to forget them, one asked if I would be her mother. I love these kids, their teachers and I love the elementary school. It will be really hard to say goodbye for good in a few weeks

I'm getting anxious about leaving, full of mixed feelings. I am so excited to see my family and friends again but naturally devasated to be leaving this place. I finish school next week. Parents are here for the following two weeks. After that I will travel for two weeks and then back to the states. I feel between now and when my parents come is my last real time living this life that has become familiar over the past six monts. I started out unsure of Chile, but have grown to love it. More than loving Chile though I have grown to love Valparaíso and the history, culture, politics of Latin America in general that has always been in my heart. I don't think it will be possible to stay away from here for long, I know that I will live more of my life in Latin America, someday, somehow.