February 2000

I am so glad to be back in natales. Vacation couldnt have gone worse for me. I was swamped with a swarm of insects and have bites all over my body. With the insect bites, my whole body itched the whole 3 weeks i was in Quellon, Chiloe. I cannot believe how much pain i endured. It was horrible. The injection and medication i was prescribe to take had little or not effect. What was worse was that my host family knew about the insects and did not mention anything to me. The other day we were discussing about our vacation to chiloe and my host mom said that i was told about it, but i know i wasnt because i know how i react to bites, and the fact that i am allergic to insect bites makes it worse. When i get bitten i not only itch alot, but grow rashes. I guess she did not want to be at fault for not informing me so she saids that i must have know something about it and asks her daughter if i was informed and i know that Sara did not tell me because we converse about why she did not tell me and she said that she forgot. However, when her mom asked her she saids that she cannot remember if she did or not. My host mom is stubbornly stuck on the fact that i was informed. I know she did not mean to allow harmed to come to me, but she cannot admit when she is wrong. If i knew i would have asked to be vaccined before the trip. If only i would have been told, all of this could have been prevented. The only events of the vacation i enjoyed was our tour of Santiago and camping in Punta de Lapa. But, even this region had its disadvantages. Due to the smoggy air, i became extremely ill upon arriving in Santiago. For more than two days i could not leave the bed except for vomitting in the bathroom. We all think it was the change in climate, the long 15 hour trip in the bus, and the unhealthy air. When i finally got better, there was only 3 days in Santiago. They were fun and exciting. We went exploring in the Zoo in Cerro San Cristobol, walking in the centro, playing in Fantasylandia and to the beaches in Isla Negra, San Antonio and San Sebastian. It has been so long since im have seen beaches similar to those in Florida. Their beauty and magnificence are beyond words. You know, i think when we live in places like Florida we take for granted all there is to offer. We need to, seriously take advantage of all there is to offer. I realize that now. Well, i am beginning to feel better. However, i am still bothered by all these marks i carry from Chiloe. I want them to disappear as soon as possible. Hopefully, the insects did not affect my bodily functions. You can never tell. Ok, ill stop complaining. Theres nothing i can do now.

March 2000

Much saddness has passed through this month. When I returned from vacation, I went directly to see Tata, Kattys grandfather. He is extremely ill. A day later, he passed away. I dont remember crying so much since my father went through heart surgery. I can see the great saddness from the faces of family members and friends. At first it did not even seem real to me. When Katty called me in the end of February and told me her grandfather was ill, i thought to myself "It will surely pass, because when we left Natales, Tata was healthy as the horses he loved."

It was so strange to see him, lying on his bed, frozen. I hated to be rude but i just had to get out of the room. I have never been to a funeral or known a person who has died. The funeral was held two days later. The atmosphere was more lively. In the eulogy, Tia Anna-Maria repeated that Tata did not want his death to bring grievence. What more, we should live life to its fullness. These are wise words from a person that truly enjoyed life. I think that he is right. We need to live each and every day to its maximum.

March 2000

March is definitely a tough month. My friends are leaving Natales for college. I tried to enjoy the time we had left. We took advantage the two weeks before the starting of class on the 13th. Getting everyone together was the idea. However, it was pretty difficult, because some of the students have already left for college in Temuco and Punta Arenas. Nevertheless, hung out in the house of one another and in the pub restaurant to share quality time together. We, more or less, conversed, cried, and laughed together. I never thought i could make such great friends in a foreign land, and now, I cannot believe they are all leaving so soon. I guess i do not want to face the fact that everyone goes their own way, in time. It is that lament. Getting to know these friends was an extremely special and proud experience. I will never forget them. And, hopefully, they will not forget me. The day before leaving for college, EriK and John invited Sara, Santana, and me to Puerto Consuelo. We rode up in motor bikes. There, we headed for the beach where the guys dived while Sara and I stayed on the ship. You know, Sara has

become a real sister to me. We dont have that much in common, but we talk about everything together. She

is the person i trust most here. Whenever i need help or someone to talk to, she is there. We spend almost every evening walking on the beach. I think i went off track. Oh yea! After diving, we went to see the barn and did a little climbing activity there. At the end of the day, we watched Erik and John jump with their motor bikes. Needless to say, we had a fun time. I, for one, did not want the day to end. But, time has no sentiments.

Well, Sara left for Punta Arenas on the next day. Two days later, on the 14th, Catty invited me to goto her fathers farm, Rio Tranquilo. After spending the night in her farm house, we headed to the "puesto" where the farmers

went to work checking the teeth of the lambs. Following that, we traveled to Punto Arenas. The grandmother of Katty was nice enough to host us for 2 days. Sara, Erik, and John came over to the house to talk throughout the evening. The last week of March was spent in Porvenir, La Tierra de Fuego. I went to learn about the land.

Porvenir is, basically, a very small island filled with farmland. The land and the peope are pretty simple. I was invited to my host grandparentsfarm. There, i learned to ride a horse on my own. It wasnt as difficult as i magined. Due to the fact that the university classes do not start until April, i began volunteering in Charles

Darwin. I hate to say it, but it is tremendously boring at the house. Sara left to study and my other host sister, Raquel goes to school. Being at home with my host mother and host grandmother was not the way i wanted to spend my days. In addition to not having much to do, i felt out of place, like i wanted to do something useful

with my free-time. So i started helping out with the Castallano teacher of 1st through 8th grade in the school near my house in the morning. In the afternoon, i accompany the gym teacher. Time is not to be wasted.

April 2000

I started taking classes in the University of Magallanes the 3rd of this month from 7:00 in the evening to 10:15 at night. The college has 3 technical majors: Tourism, Administration, and Computers. In order to become more familiar with this region, i decided to take Tourism. The University is not as i thought. We have 6 classes with Physical Education. The first week passed through pretty much simplistic and easy. We were introduced to the professores and the goal of each class. The 2nd week was "La Semana Misouna," and field day activities

replaced the classes. I find myself disappointed. Instead of learning and acquiring knowledge, there is a numerous quantity of partying. Well, at least, chilean know how to have fun. I had no idea that i would be going to have such a short amount schooling. WHen i arrived in September i was place in the senior class due to the fact that, there was already a junior exchange student. If i knew then what i know now about the university, i would have requested to be placed in 11th grade last year. Unfortunately, things do not always work out the way you want.

Well, i cannot do anything now. I am going home on May 4th and will be starting the summer semester in UF.

My host parents helped me get a date and flight. I asked the Rotarians for help, but they are so irresponsible that i could not depend nor wait for them to find time in their heavily, busy schedule for me. I guess the Rotary club of Natales did not want to have anything to do with me. Its difficult when the organization that supposely sponsors the exchange program doesnt lift a finger to help out with matters concerning the exchange student. Well, some of us are not lucky enough to have an established Rotary Club. But you know what, i am not complaining.

That just about covers all my experiences as a Rotary Exchange Student in Puerto Natales, Chile. It is getting late...about 3 in the morning. I have to go. See you soon.

Manda besitos y una gran brazo a todos.

take care everyone,

Qi Li



	February 2000 I am so glad to be back in natales. Vacation couldnt have gone worse for me. I was swamped with a swarm of insects and have bites all over my body. With the insect bites, my whole body itched the whole 3 weeks i was in Quellon, Chiloe. I cannot believe how much pain i endured. It was horrible. The injection and medication i was prescribe to take had little or not effect. What was worse was that my host family knew about the insects and did not mention anything to me. The other day we were discussing about our vacation to chiloe and my host mom said that i was told about it, but i know i wasnt because i know how i react to bites, and the fact that i am allergic to insect bites makes it worse. When i get bitten i not only itch alot, but grow rashes. I guess she did not want to be at fault for not informing me so she saids that i must have know something about it and asks her daughter if i was informed and i know that Sara did not tell me because we converse about why she did not tell me and she said that she forgot. However, when her mom asked her she saids that she cannot remember if she did or not. My host mom is stubbornly stuck on the fact that i was informed. I know she did not mean to allow harmed to come to me, but she cannot admit when she is wrong. If i knew i would have asked to be vaccined before the trip. If only i would have been told, all of this could have been prevented. The only events of the vacation i enjoyed was our tour of Santiago and camping in Punta de Lapa. But, even this region had its disadvantages. Due to the smoggy air, i became extremely ill upon arriving in Santiago. For more than two days i could not leave the bed except for vomitting in the bathroom. We all think it was the change in climate, the long 15 hour trip in the bus, and the unhealthy air. When i finally got better, there was only 3 days in Santiago. They were fun and exciting. We went exploring in the Zoo in Cerro San Cristobol, walking in the centro, playing in Fantasylandia and to the beaches in Isla Negra, San Antonio and San Sebastian. It has been so long since im have seen beaches similar to those in Florida. Their beauty and magnificence are beyond words. You know, i think when we live in places like Florida we take for granted all there is to offer. We need to, seriously take advantage of all there is to offer. I realize that now. Well, i am beginning to feel better. However, i am still bothered by all these marks i carry from Chiloe. I want them to disappear as soon as possible. Hopefully, the insects did not affect my bodily functions. You can never tell. Ok, ill stop complaining. Theres nothing i can do now. March 2000 Much saddness has passed through this month. When I returned from vacation, I went directly to see Tata, Kattys grandfather. He is extremely ill. A day later, he passed away. I dont remember crying so much since my father went through heart surgery. I can see the great saddness from the faces of family members and friends. At first it did not even seem real to me. When Katty called me in the end of February and told me her grandfather was ill, i thought to myself "It will surely pass, because when we left Natales, Tata was healthy as the horses he loved." It was so strange to see him, lying on his bed, frozen. I hated to be rude but i just had to get out of the room. I have never been to a funeral or known a person who has died. The funeral was held two days later. The atmosphere was more lively. In the eulogy, Tia Anna-Maria repeated that Tata did not want his death to bring grievence. What more, we should live life to its fullness. These are wise words from a person that truly enjoyed life. I think that he is right. We need to live each and every day to its maximum. March 2000 March is definitely a tough month. My friends are leaving Natales for college. I tried to enjoy the time we had left. We took advantage the two weeks before the starting of class on the 13th. Getting everyone together was the idea. However, it was pretty difficult, because some of the students have already left for college in Temuco and Punta Arenas. Nevertheless, hung out in the house of one another and in the pub restaurant to share quality time together. We, more or less, conversed, cried, and laughed together. I never thought i could make such great friends in a foreign land, and now, I cannot believe they are all leaving so soon. I guess i do not want to face the fact that everyone goes their own way, in time. It is that lament. Getting to know these friends was an extremely special and proud experience. I will never forget them. And, hopefully, they will not forget me. The day before leaving for college, EriK and John invited Sara, Santana, and me to Puerto Consuelo. We rode up in motor bikes. There, we headed for the beach where the guys dived while Sara and I stayed on the ship. You know, Sara has become a real sister to me. We dont have that much in common, but we talk about everything together. She is the person i trust most here. Whenever i need help or someone to talk to, she is there. We spend almost every evening walking on the beach. I think i went off track. Oh yea! After diving, we went to see the barn and did a little climbing activity there. At the end of the day, we watched Erik and John jump with their motor bikes. Needless to say, we had a fun time. I, for one, did not want the day to end. But, time has no sentiments. Well, Sara left for Punta Arenas on the next day. Two days later, on the 14th, Catty invited me to goto her fathers farm, Rio Tranquilo. After spending the night in her farm house, we headed to the "puesto" where the farmers went to work checking the teeth of the lambs. Following that, we traveled to Punto Arenas. The grandmother of Katty was nice enough to host us for 2 days. Sara, Erik, and John came over to the house to talk throughout the evening. The last week of March was spent in Porvenir, La Tierra de Fuego. I went to learn about the land. Porvenir is, basically, a very small island filled with farmland. The land and the peope are pretty simple. I was invited to my host grandparentsfarm. There, i learned to ride a horse on my own. It wasnt as difficult as i magined. Due to the fact that the university classes do not start until April, i began volunteering in Charles Darwin. I hate to say it, but it is tremendously boring at the house. Sara left to study and my other host sister, Raquel goes to school. Being at home with my host mother and host grandmother was not the way i wanted to spend my days. In addition to not having much to do, i felt out of place, like i wanted to do something useful with my free-time. So i started helping out with the Castallano teacher of 1st through 8th grade in the school near my house in the morning. In the afternoon, i accompany the gym teacher. Time is not to be wasted. April 2000 I started taking classes in the University of Magallanes the 3rd of this month from 7:00 in the evening to 10:15 at night. The college has 3 technical majors: Tourism, Administration, and Computers. In order to become more familiar with this region, i decided to take Tourism. The University is not as i thought. We have 6 classes with Physical Education. The first week passed through pretty much simplistic and easy. We were introduced to the professores and the goal of each class. The 2nd week was "La Semana Misouna," and field day activities replaced the classes. I find myself disappointed. Instead of learning and acquiring knowledge, there is a numerous quantity of partying. Well, at least, chilean know how to have fun. I had no idea that i would be going to have such a short amount schooling. WHen i arrived in September i was place in the senior class due to the fact that, there was already a junior exchange student. If i knew then what i know now about the university, i would have requested to be placed in 11th grade last year. Unfortunately, things do not always work out the way you want. Well, i cannot do anything now. I am going home on May 4th and will be starting the summer semester in UF. My host parents helped me get a date and flight. I asked the Rotarians for help, but they are so irresponsible that i could not depend nor wait for them to find time in their heavily, busy schedule for me. I guess the Rotary club of Natales did not want to have anything to do with me. Its difficult when the organization that supposely sponsors the exchange program doesnt lift a finger to help out with matters concerning the exchange student. Well, some of us are not lucky enough to have an established Rotary Club. But you know what, i am not complaining. That just about covers all my experiences as a Rotary Exchange Student in Puerto Natales, Chile. It is getting late...about 3 in the morning. I have to go. See you soon. Manda besitos y una gran brazo a todos. take care everyone, Qi Li