It's been a really great weekend! beautiful weather and kind of low key which was nice after the hectic week.
It's funny, Wednesday is THE night to go out, almost bigger than weekends. We went out to use a free drink voucher, and bounced around to a few different bars/clubs. My favorite is still Maya. http://www.mayabar.co.nz/ . You can always count on good dancing and good, less expensive drinks! It's also very well decorated which is fun. It has a Mayan theme, so there are cave type sculptures etc. very fun.
Friday, Donna and I just wandered around town all day and did some shopping! I finally bought some sunnies..now I am hoping that under eyes don't swell from the sun!
During the day Saturday, there was a small festival to promote green living. It was on one street and had a lot of booths and sustainable practice suggestions and food.. There were bands and belly dancers, which was cool to watch. It was very Burlington-y.
Leah and I won tickets to some venue where a few good bands were supposed to be playing. Diana, Leah, Britta, and I went there and it was pretty quiet. VERY low key. So we headed off to a foam party (thought it would be cool - never go.) It was at the Big Kumara bar, http://www.bigkumara.com/page/photos.aspx , which seems to be the scene for young, under agers (not like RJs though..). Anyways, words to describe the scene: sweat, condensation, heat, body odor, sluts, grinding, wet, moisture, "loving". Sound inviting? We literally got in, looked for Leah's flatmates and left. I was very overwhelmed and felt old for the place. It felt like I was at a middle school social with foam and very advanced children. I am always up for a good time, drinking, and dancing, but this was an adventure and definitely not the the least bit exciting. I should have taken a video.
Last night, Donna and I went to see Shutter Island. It was amazing! I highly recommend you all go watch it right now. Very well done with an interesting plot.
My favorite thing to do here is go explore and stumble upon coffee shops/cafes. It is by far the most rewarding thing to discover a new spot. Today I went to Martha's Cupboard.. I am afraid it might beat Cafe Doria.... it was a BEAUTIFUL "tea shop" that has lovely english tea cups, amazing desserts, and just a great atmosphere. I loved it. I guess I can't ditch out on Cafe Doria, I'll just go on coffee overload... which brings me to another subject. Milkshakes. They are very popular and are sold everywhere... maybe it's just because I am from VT where it's cold and not a good product but here.. they have the best milkshakes everywhere I go. It's awful yet amazing.
This morning, Donna and I went to the fruit and vege market. It's a huge open air market with varieties of fruit and vegs offered for the cheapest price in town. I got so much stuff and paid 1/4 of what I wouldve paid at the grocery store. I saw one of the American businessmen I went to the botanical gardens with a week and a half ago on the street. It was ironic and funny to see him again. He is such a dorky old man haha.
As a result of the Chile earthquake, there was a tsunami warning to Pacific islands all day. It was SO WINDY this morning walking around. Dirt was going into my mouth, hair blowing everywhere. The govt warning said no sightseeing, beach visits, or going near the water alone. Apparently the sea levels and waves were higher than normal.
My ruptured eardrum did not welcomely invite the wind either.. but oh well! I am not in Chile so no complaining!
Theres a great coffee shop (obviously..) that plays jazz music and has phenominal desserts and coffees... so we went to that tonight. There's usually a small group of internationals that go everyweek, I hadn't been the past few times but got my act together and enjoyed it tonight. Maybe that's because I actually have reading to do for classes and I was procrastinating. Regardless, I loved it and will go back next time!
It's hard to believe I am actually here to study and not to wander the city and find coffee shops, take pictures, and be a tourist. I guess I need to get on train and get my act together, UVM has been in session for over a month!
I have to get my stuff situated for Monday morning! Lots of accomplish tomorrow! Cheers :)

2/28/10