Spanish, Seagulls, and Sand Dunes

Blur. That would be the word I would use to describe the last couple days here. I am unpacked, finding my way around town, working on my Spanish, and meeting new people. I cannot tell if I feel like I have been here a long tome or if I just arrived yesterday. The good news is, besides missing all of you, I am really enjoying being here.

I just got back from an overnight camping trip to the beach. I was able to practice my Spanish, meet new people, and enjoy the climate here. We bused up to the sand dunes, popped up some tents, and had a fabulous time.

Since I am looking out and watching the seagulls, here are some fun facts about the animals here-

 Seagulls can be seen and heard throughout the day here. Swooping in and  Recently, they started serving as my alarm clock. I kid you not, I have not set an alarm since I have been here but every morning like clockwork the gulls awaken me. (Just in case you were about to get jealous, remember, you can sleep in without being awaken by gulls. :)

 Fish, shrimp, and all sorts of varieties seafood are very affordable and accesible here. Often in the mornings when I am out running, I see people fishing for their food for the day or unloading tons of seafood into a store or restaurant. Interestingly, indigenous people who lived in the northern deserts of Chile survived by eating seafood since crops were challenging to cultivate and hence animal were not super common.
 On Friday, I woke up, walked to the kitchen, and almost started brewing tea threw up! Behold a huge dead fish chilling in the sink. One of the people I live with was using it for an archeological experiment. Let's just say each day brings many new surprises.

 Dogs can be seen on every street at all times. Mostly, they are timid, quiet, and scared but sometimes they will follow you or fight with each other. They are almost all nocturnal and can be seen lounging around during the day before a night of food finding, street hopping, and people following adventures.

 Cats must be either lurking in the shadows or running away to join Broadway because I have only seen one. The one I did see though was hissing and scared away a dog the size of a labrador. Afterwards, a Chilean named the cat "the puma of Chile."



Here are some photos! Have a great week!

You can't escape this legend. His name appears throughout the city and weaves its way into conversations. 

The beach we camped at just north of Viña. 

Some of the vegetation at the sand dunes. 

The beach in the evening.

Two ships in the harbor outside my bedroom window. I thought it was super cute. 

On top of a hill overlooking Viña.