The Voyage to Chile!

     

Nap Collage

         Today started with a weird feeling of being both sad to leave Argentina but at the same time extremely excited about traveling to Chile. The day was just like any other, with Professor Berdiev saying, “hey guys! Attendance,” and all of us screaming our numbers (26 was paying attention this time). We took one last bus ride with Sofia and Maurcicio to Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. We were given a delicious boxed lunch and made it to the airport in less than an hour.

Caitlyn, Jaden, and Ailene enjoying their boxed lunches.

          After arriving at the airport, students excitedly went through the baggage claim. Professor Gomez had over packed and Jay Mudda immediately offered to put some of her things in his suitcase (five points extra).

Jay helping Professor Gomez out.

            We had a heartfelt goodbye to Sofia and thanked her for her incredible work on planning and guiding us around Buenos Aires. After a quick line in security, we all arrived at Gate 5, gleeful to get on the plane and arrive at the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in Santiago. Excitedly, the students did attendance one last time in Argentina, but with a small twist, it was in Spanish (sad to say, Professor Berdiev was not impressed with our first run through).

Students waiting to aboard our plane. 

              However, it started monsoon-ing and the plane didn’t arrive on time. But, no need to fret! Professor Berdiev gave us confidence by saying, “Berdiev never nervous,” when asked about the delayed plane.

Outside the airport during the monsoon and Professor Berdiev "never being nervous!"

             Many students took this time to take a nap- as shown in the collage at the beginning. We ended up boarding an hour later, but the students were still jovial to be on their way. I was especially lucky to be sitting next to Professor Berdiev and a fellow student, Arnav Vaid. We ended up playing cards games to pass the time. Arnav thought he could fool Berdiev with a card trick, but as Berdiev said, “Arnav can’t trick Berdiev.” Then, Professor Berdiev showed us some card tricks that stunned us into silence and had us wondering why he was teaching economics instead of performing in Las Vegas.

             The two-in-a-half hour plane ride flew by, with some turbulence that had Professor Berdiev and Arnav holding hands, and at last, we were in the beautiful city of Santiago, Chile! Everyone was ecstatic to finally arrive in Chile and start this fun-filled week!