Well it’s February, the dead of summer.

It’s hot, really hot, but I’m not complaining. I’m letting it warm me to the core and taking every chance I can to enjoy “el verano.”

So I’ve been told, and I can already see for myself, that Santiago is wonderful in the summer. It is estimated that more than one million people leave the city during this month for vacations; the city is quieter, the streets less trafficked and the metro a little more bearable during rush hour.

Most professionals get anywhere from 10 days to three weeks solid vacation. All of my students are off somewhere – two in Disney World, one in Brazil, one in the South, one at the beach and the others simply enjoying their break. Vacation is big here in Chile.

True testament to just how much the city slows during February: the entire Civil Justice System takes the entire month as a “holiday,” explaining why my boyfriend can’t get a job and why the system is notoriously behind. The entire month!

Though I don’t have such luxuries, I am still enjoying the month with a lighter schedule and anticipating the arrival my Mom and Aunt Reba, in which I too will more or less have an entire week off.

I wanted to post some pictures dating from Christmas to present to answer some questions many had asked. Yes, in many ways, Christmas here is just like it is in the US, in the sense of the shopping frenzies, Christmas trees, Santa (Papá Noel) and celebrating the birth of Christ. The main difference is that I wore a summer dress and sandals on Christmas Eve and swam outside on Christmas Day. Also, lighting up individual houses is rare, although most still decorate inside. Stuffing yourself with food and sweets is also uncommon, which I personally was a little thankful for…it is bikini season after all.

I also recently had my first experience at a Chilean wedding, which was fantastic. It was my friend’s brother’s wedding; I didn’t know the brother at all, but here it’s custom for the siblings to have a couple personal invites. Aside from the language, much is the same. The bride dresses in a beautiful white gown, and there’s a big party afterward. The difference, the wedding ceremony started at 9:00 p.m., and we were at the reception until 5:00 a.m.!! Not all are like that however.

Lastly, have you seen the yellow man?