Difficult Week!

It`s been awhile since I`ve had a chance to write, but it`s been a pretty hard couple of weeks. I haven`t travelled lately, but there`s been enough excitement, both good and bad, to last me awhile! Last weekend I went out to a club called Huevo with some friends. Bars here close a lot later than those in the states, so when we left at 4 AM, we sat down outside to talk and have a completo (chilean hotdog). There were about 100 people hanging out in the plaza we were in, and a man came up behind me and grabbed my purse. I held onto it tight, so he took out a knife and cut it away. Muggings like that are very common in Valparaìso, but it`s usually the most dangerous crime that happens, so not too bad. I was so mad becuase I usually never carry a purse but for some reason had one with me that night. Also, there were so many people around, but everyone is scared to get involved. It seems like if people teamed up, they could catch people who do things like that! Needless to say, I lost my camera, both id`s, my keys and some money. Wasn`t too fun, but it could have been worse and at least no one was hurt!

As if the week wasn`t stressful enough, two days later, my madre was on a micro (the crazy driving buses here), and it was in a pretty bad accident. Three marines were killed, and my madre had to get stiches in her lip, and a brace on her neck. So much to happen! It makes me a little more nervous to ride the buses, but it`s kinda unavoidable in Valparaìso. I am leaving soon with 7 friends to go on a 10 day trip to northern Chile and Peru so there will be tons of pictures and tons to write!