Life in Chile has been unexpected. Immediately after arriving and setting up, I spent 12 hours with friends and members of the Fundacion, from 2pm to 2am, eating endless delicious meat and drinking endless delicious drinks at an endless string of dance-filled parties. It was terrifically fun, and a perfect introduction to Chile in its biggest national holiday.

The horrible downside of all of this is that I missed my chance to stock up on groceries while stores were open, and with the entire city shut down on Sunday and Monday for holiday, I spent two days alone, walking around my nearby environs, scavenging on awkwardly purchased McDonald's, Starbucks, and Dunkin Donuts, rationing out what miserable portions I could to last me until society reawakened. Whatever emotional reaction you may have to such a fate, I assure you that my digestive tract's emotions on Tuesday outstrip it. I did use the time to take some nice (if eerily lonely) walks, and I made some good progress on my math quilt.

Tuesday (today) was my first day working at the Fundacion Cuidadano Inteligente, and it was really cool. Their office is in an old probably-used-to-be-a-rich-person's house, where every door has been painted a bright solid color that is just shy of jarring, and together make for a charming scene. Their team and I took turns explaining our organizations' work to each other. I was really wowed by some of their current and not-yet-revealed projects, and by the end of the day I found a few different ways in which I can be of help to the Fundacion.

I've moved into a nicer place near Manuel Montt, and am now the proud owner of groceries. After the holidays' dietary adventures, I associate this with independence the way a teenager does her first car. I have two balconies offering both amazing views and chill work ledges, in what I think is the best weather Chile has to offer all year. Altogether I really couldn't be happier. I'm incredibly grateful to Sunlight for offering me the chance to come here, and in general am feeling thankful for my place in the world. I'm not sure I've earned it, but if I'd known at 20, my most self-demanding, that this is what I'd be doing at 27, I think I'd have approved.