L: Laissez-Fair, Lessons on Pragmatism, and Lack of Time

From my vantage point at a table in the corner restaurant between the two main halls of the next-door mall, I can see it all.  A family of Chileans speaks rapid Spanish.  My shopping bag with a Pacific shirt for Seth that the clerk sprayed with cologne sits on the table next to my frambuesa crepe.  The ever-present sun glares through the thin glass window.  I shouldn't even be able to keep my eyes open because I've barely slept, but somehow the adrenaline and sheer energy that is Santiago, Chile keeps me awake without caffeine.

I wake up every day to a breakfast feast of fresh fruit, baked breads, meats, cheeses, coffee, and juices that makes it worth getting up.  I board a coach that drives me to the Universidad de los Andes about twenty minutes outside of Santiago.  The modern lecture halls are ensconced by green foliage, bright flowers, and the Andes mountains.  I sit in the middle row of the lecture hall and catch my friend's eyes.  The professor is once again debating the difference between principled and pragmatic decisions.  He feels that universal principles exist which apply to utterly every situation, so one can never make a decision that applies to only a particular situation, because that would be pragmatic and wrong.  Thankfully, this portion of the class is over and I'll only have to hear about Chilean economics from here on out.  

After lectures end, I dine in the cafeteria and board the coach for the ride back to the hotel.  A thirty-minute rest later, I hurry to the lobby to leave for the afternoon's cultural activity which can range from visiting a museum to hiking a large hill.  The activities in the hot sun send us running to the cafe's for limonada and water.  By 9 o'clock, we're debating dinner (this is truly a process) and returning to the hotel late.  Of course, no one goes to sleep directly after dinner, so I sit near the swimming pool and debate politics, restaurants, ideas, or just listen to people talk about life.  Around 2:30, I drag myself to my room while bemoaning the fact that I only have four hours to sleep.  Somehow, come morning, it just doesn't matter.  Chile is exhausting, but I'm never really tired.

Life in Santiago is such that time seems not to exist at all.  Dinner is eaten between 8 and 10pm, so I rarely return to my hotel before 11 or midnight.  On those evenings when I explore the city lights or learn to salsa dance, it is as though night exists for only a few hours, since I have to rise early for breakfast and class.  From whitewater rafting and riding an ascender in Puerto Valparaiso to learning about Latin American politics from first-hand sources and getting a crash course in survival Spanish, it's been a true adventure.

K: Keeping Up With Liz

It's been a fast-paced year filled with unexpected events and adventures. (Many of which I don't write about).  Here's a quick update on 2013:

I spent the Spring 2013 Semester studying abroad in London.  It was an unbelievable experience during which I saw nearly twenty museums, around thirty plays, and four countries (as well as Scotland and Wales).

I spent a weekend in February in Dublin, Ireland and the surrounding area.  My favorite thing about Ireland was the Howth Cliffs and Irish pub food.

Over Spring Break, I took a ten-day coach tour of Scotland, Wales, and England.  The highlight of my trip was spending a few days in a mountain lodge in Glencoe, Scotland, where we hiked and enjoyed nature.  I also visited Edinburgh, York, Liverpool, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Caernarfon.

Easter Break was spent in Lloret de Mar, Girona, and Barcelona, Spain.  I loved seeing castles, eating gelato, and touring the city (Futbol Barca anyone?)

After the conclusion of the semester, my mother and I spent a few weeks in Italy, visiting Verona, Venice, Florence, and small towns surrounding Lake Garda.  My favorite location (perhaps in the whole world) was Peschiera del Garda, the Italian village that houses amazing views, the world's best Italian restaurant on the shores of the lake (which is really more of a sea), and the best little bakery ever.  Did I mention the city is equipped with a real moat?

My summer went by quickly as a attended the Engalitchiff Institute for Comparative Political and Economic Systems in Washington, D.C., and served as a research assistant for the Federalist Society.  Best thing?  Attending a gala at the Supreme Court and making some great friends from around the country!

My fall semester was spent at school in Brownwood, Texas, during which time I attended several moot court tournaments and qualified for the National Championship to be held in Tempe, AZ later this month.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and check back to hear about Chile, Nationals, and Rome!

J: Just About to Take Off

Tomorrow, I'll be leaving to Santiago, Chile.  It will be my first trip to South America.  I'm heading to Chile for a two week-long leadership conference with students from around the Americas.

I'll be staying at a hotel in the Metropolitan District of the city, so I'll be close to the Metro, grocers, and a number of restaurants.  I'm particularly excited about eating plantain chips!  I'l also have the opportunity to participate in discussions about the future of the Americas with South American leaders.

Addendum A: Ireland

I: Ireland's Cliffs Are Extraordinary

This weekend, I'm spending my university holiday in Dublin, Ireland.  Yesterday, we walked all over Dublin looking for our bus, then finally made it to Liffey Valley.  Everything here is very green and the air is amazingly fresh and clear.  Today, we went to the Howth Coastal Path and Seaport to hike the Irish cliffs.  It looked just like a movie scene (although muddier).  We climbed down to the seashore and saw the waterfalls against the green slopes, stood on dark rocks as the saltwater splashed into the air.  Undoubtedly, this was the best part of my trip so far.  Naturally, we were exhausted after a day of hiking and exploring, so we climbed onto the bus and headed back to the hotel hot tub.

H: How Will I Ever Describe This?

Last weekend, I toured Bath, England.  Basically, it was the Las Vegas for British Aristocrats during the 18th and 19th centuries.  The architecture is outstanding, styled after early Rome.  The city also includes ruins of the Roman baths and temples, which we toured.  Jane Austen also set two of her novels in Bath, the city in which she lived for a portion of her life.

 Me next to the ancient Roman baths.

Megan, Caitlyn, and I attending a play.

G: Glorious European Life

Last week, I attended Les Miserables.  It was the most incredible play I have ever seen.  The best part was the rotating stage that was used to portray how the characters were moving, falling, etc... We also attended Richard III and The Mousetrap, an Agatha Christie novel-turned-play (also the longest running play ever).