Booted salsa

Last night a bunch of COPA kids met up at Aché Havana, a Cuban club in Valparaíso near the main building of the Universidad la Católica. Taking advantage of happy hour, everyone made sure to get in on the 2 for 1 pisco sours, this country´s answer to Cuba´s mojito or Mexico´s margarita. Piña coladas were also sampled as I found my mind drifting to the north (it´s a strange shift in geological placement). After awhile, even I was drawn down to the dance floor, where I found myself being spun--sort of--by a friendly Valpo-ite. I surprised myself, and those around me, with my relatively coordinated booted dancing. I´ve learned that merengue is definitely easier than salsa when you can´t move one of your ankles. It was a really fun night, though I was a bit troubled by how much it made me miss Mexico. As soon as I started dancing, one of my favorite songs from winter term came on, and I happily sang along with the chorus. But no one else I was with seemed to know the words, and my nostalgic streak crept over me. I miss my friends and the life I managed to make there. I hope I can do as well here.

It did feel pretty satisfying to make my way back to my apartment around 3am, not having gotten lost, not having had anything stolen. Sleeping in until noon today was pretty great too. The weather finally lifted, and today was bright and sunny and relatively warm (which was very surprising to me since the inside of the apartment was apparently unaware of the temperature change and had decided to maintain it´s normal temperature of freezing). After la comida, I struck out in search of the beach and Amanda. I found both. We trekked along the shore, through markets, and down a boardwalk-type thing. We saw enormous portions of tasty-looking ice cream being served in halved pineapples. We meandered among the hordes of families and pda-loving couples who were similarly aprovechar-ing the sun. As we sat by the beach the sun started to slowly fall right in front of us, lowering itself down to the flat sea, and casting orange light against the pillar-like condos and apartments and other buildings lining the the avenues at the foot of the hills. This place is absolutely beautiful, despite the sometimes gaudy clusters of 70's-style condos rising 20 stories in the air. Especially in late afternoon, the light manages to make the blue of the sky even bluer and the freakishly green grass and palm trees and bushes even greener. It was great to finally spend time outdoors and to get some exercise. It was the most I´d walked in over 2 1/2 months, so I was ecstatic to go anywhere. And on my way home, I stumbled upon a conveniently-located YMCA 2 1/2 blocks from the apartment. I´m totally joinging tomorrow.