experiencing all aspects of life in Chile

Yes, today I got to experience the medical system in Chile. It wasn't very different or difficult, though, so that was good. Gabriela knew which clinic has an agreement with the school, so we walked over there, went in and asked where to go, took my info. (thank goodness I recently got a RUT number - didn't have it with me, but we were able to call home to Margarita to get it), they called me in, tended to me, prescribed some meds., and let me go. Weird thing - the doctor's surname was Johow, which is the name of the street where the workshop is located in Santiago - Dr. Johow. I was really tempted to ask him if the street was named after him, or if he knew about the street, etc., but I don't have much of a voice, and didn't have a good chance. Anyway - it turns out I have viral bronchitis. Wednesday night, I went to the party for freshmen and int'l's out on the pier - it got a little chilly, and there was a girl smoking in front of me for awhile, so I thought the next day that my scratchy throat was because of that. It got a bit worse yesterday, and I was debating about whether to go out last night or not, but I really wanted to go, so I went. The pisco made my throat feel better, but my voice pretty much got worse and worse last night, and this morning when I woke up, I had that kind of cough where you feel like you're not going to be able to breathe or something, and I didn't have much of a voice. Ooh - I just remembered - I need to be sure and take my meds. when I get back, because I was supposed to take them at 10:30 - cough syrup and a pill every 8 hours. Anyway - I'm sure the lack of sleep and general stress of moving to a new place, etc. was probably enough to reduce my immunity.

Today, I've been laying low at the house, sleeping a bit, etc., and I decided I wanted to get out for a little bit to get on the internet. So, feel special that I got out just for you all - ha ha.

And, just so you know, I really don't like the Hendrix network, because I even have problems sending stuff here at the internet cafe where everything's really quick, etc. So, please try and send everything to the yahoo address, because when I get stuff at the Hendrix address, I think, oh, I can try and respond from this address, I write a really long message, try and send it, and get frustrated when it doesn't work. Anyway - I'm more likely to respond to you if you send it to the yahoo one.

Oh - but about last night - I went to Club Cielo (Club Heaven), where int'l students got in free last night. It seemed a little weird to me, because they actually had a printed-out list of all the exchange students at la Catolica to check off your name at the door. I ended up meeting a few people from my group down at Cafe Journal in Viña, which is super-close to a lot of us, went in for drinks and chatting for awhile, most decided to stay, and Rebecca and I decided to go on to Club Cielo, so we hopped on the micro. It was pretty fun. There are tables and live music downstairs and dancing upstairs. Rebecca cracks me up - she's such a goofy dancer.

Ok - they're about to close, so I've got to go. I can give you more accounts from the night and the past week, etc. later. Oh - I was going to say to Nate that Cafe Journal sounds like the club you went to, where people go to sit around and talk with the friends they already have, and Club Cielo was more like a place to go and meet people - Rebecca and I danced and talked awhile with a guy (named Pedro, I think - I'm not remembering at the moment - I've met a few different people with the same names, so I forget) in his 30's who plays the guitar in the band there, so that was fun. He was interesting - people tend to give us insights to things about Chile, since we're foreigners.

Ok - I'm really going. They must not really close at 11pm, but I need to write some e-mails.

Lots of love, and don't worry about my being sick - I've got two very loving nurses taking care of me.
Jessica