"El mejor recuerdo de nuestra cordillera." --Mi hermano Esteban

The Andes are one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. Majestic and breathtaking, they tower over the city of Santiago. I love waking up every morning, opening my window, and letting my eyes feast on the beautiful mountain range.

Saturday, August 1, a group of my friends went skiing in the Andes to get to know the mountains ever better. It was marvelous and beautiful! The snow covered mountains, clear blue sky, and smog-free air. The runs were great and there weren't that many people, so hardly any lines. We also had so many laughs: my first yard sale, Michelle taking a picture of us and then just falling over, me getting hit by both the door to get on the ski lift and the ski lift itself, another skier sitting on me on the ski lift and then the two of us proceeding to have the most awkward and quiet ride up the top of the hill, belting John Travolta and Celion Dion in the bus on the way down the mountain, taking the wrong local bus home, and more.

I also fractured a bone for the first time. Just before lunch, Michelle and I decided we had conquered intermediate and were going to try dificil. I'm not even sure how it happened but I think that the ski pole something cracked my right thumb as I tried to slow down by gracefully falling. I iced it with snow during lunch and skiied a few more times before we went home. On Sunday my host mom took me to the emergency room because my hand was incredibly swollen and I couldn't use it.

The x-ray showed a fracture and I recieved my first cast, which I wore until my surgery on Wednesday. The surgery went really well. The doctors were super nice. I was put under for the operation in which they inserted a metal rod to align the bone and allow for the quickest recovery. I had horrible hospital food, made friends with the doctors, nurses, and my fellow roomates, including a nun from a local catholic college, recieved another x-ray, and returned home Thursday afternoon.

I wore the bandage and a sling from the surgery for one week. I was not to use my hand and had to keep it in the air at all times--my host mom gave me a sock to put over my fingers at night. Last Thursday I had another appointment. The doctors were very pleased with everything and gave me permission to start moving my thumb and using my hand. Slowly but surely I am getting better at using it and it continues to be pain free! Yesterday I put my hair in ponytail for the first time since skiing, and I am slowly starting to use my right hand again to write! This Thursday I will get the stitches out.

While not without its challenges, fracturing my thumb has allowed me to get a firsthand look at the medical system in Chile, meet new people (its a great conversation starter), bond with my host family, and be creative in the ways of going about everyday life. Thanks for your prayers!