Last post from Chile

My bags are packed and I'm leaving for the airport in 5 hours. I'm feeling overly emotional, so that's how this post will turn out. When I think about Chile, the first word that pops into my head is "love." Love because there are about a gazillion things I love about Chile, and Love because Chile is the first place I fell in love.

I can't even name all the things I like about Chile, because as I mentioned, I have to get to the airport in a few hours. But let's start with a few. (Really this is the longest post ever. But let's be honest, this one is for me and I couldn't cut any of it out)
*I love Chileans. As a rule, Chileans are so sweet and warm. I never feel awkward around them and I almost feel like I'm one of them. I almost sort of a little bit wish I was born a Chilean.

*I love the weather in Santiago. It is absoutely perfect. Four seasons, but milder than Utah. Usually there is only snow in the mountains in the winter so we don't have to walk or drive in it. And in the summer the sky is solid blue every day.

*I love our neighborhood and house in Chile. Every day I think, "wow, this is niiiiice!"
*I loved my ward and my callings here. Being a ward missionary and playing the piano in the primary rocked.
*I love the mountains and volcanoes in Chile. I stare at them every day.
*I love how Chileans (and all Latins) greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
*I love how Chile is so long and skinny. Chile has all sorts of climates and landscapes because of it. Also, you can either drive to the beach or Argentina in no time.
*I love how Chileans are so laid back. They are so relaxed and have taught me to be more "tranquila."

*I love how Santiago has such a wide range of housing. There are some really poor neighborhoods and some really fancy houses all within a few minutes' drive. I think it gives Santiago character.
*I love how Chileans dance. I don't know why, but somehow Latins have an extra gene or something that allows them to dance up a storm. Chileans really know how to party.

*I love how you have to pay to use the bathroom when you're travelling in Chile. And sometimes they don't have toilet paper. It's fun to rate the bathrooms on a scale of one to five and then you really appreciate your bathroom at home.
*I love how Chileans speak using so much slang. If you hear a latin sticking "po" to the end of every word, you'll know she's Chilean.
*I love Chilean money. It's colorful.

*I love Chilean food...usually. I'm weird, I know. But I like plain food. But I don't like corn on my pizza. That's just gross.
*I love our Chilean dog. It's about killing me to leave her.
*I love the metro and bus system in Chile. It's fast, efficient, cheap, and always interesting. Sometimes some people will ride the bus playing instruments and singing. The whole bus claps/sings along, and then gives them a tip. Ah I love it.
*I love how after a Chilean says something funny, they say "aaaaaaaah" really loud afterwards. It's funny.
*I love how Chileans are proud of their country. Independence day is funnnnn.
Can you feel the love oozing out of your computer screen? I love Chile, I really do.