The day of horses and nutrition

So today I spent the whole day in the city..and by the whole day I mean 2-10 since people in Chile do not wake up until 11.
1. Rehablitacion Equina
Today I went to Equine Rehab with Dani where we worked with different groups of autistic children. It was amazing. The child of the owner was declared a "vegitable" at birth and her mom didn't give up on her. With all of the equine therapy..she is funcionable..talks..walks..stands up straight. The miracles that happen there are just amazing. They actually let me help with the therapy too! The first part is an individual intro. to the horse where they have them pet the horse, and then the kids get to walk the horse around the pen. After that, they get to ride it. While they are riding, two people stand on each side and hold them up. My job is to run around with Dani and Paula (an OT student) and complete activities with them while they are riding like sitting up straight, throwing, turning their center on the saddle. It's so much fun. The kids also learn how to take direction..which is great since they range from competency from 1(vegetable) to 4(functional but developmentaly delayed). They are short-staffed and liked me and asked me to come back each Friday. I'm pumped. It's a TON of work..but the kids make it worth it.
2. Nutricion
After four hours of rehab, a quick trip through the feria(a craft market), and a trip to the supermarket, Dani had to go to her folklore dance practice so I went to work with Olivia. Where I listened to a presentation about the health products that she sells(which are actually super tasty), and a ladder scheme that they want everyone to join. I had a hard time explaining that students in the U.S. usually don't own their own business and don't have time too. She's my house mom, so I can't say no..but I am not going to say "yes" either. Maybe I'll buy some protien shakes and that will satisfy her. She's really sweet, so I don't want to offend her. It's really easy to offend chilenos. When they offer something, you have to take it, or it's super rude. Everyone is REALLY nice here, so they don't understand when their niceness is refused. It is also offensive for a guest to offer to help to the dishes...whoops? And in the U.S. it's polite to offer..oh well! I'm learning.

Tomorrow, I'm going to meet someone who is going to take me around the city a bit more. Then, Dani and Oly and I might go to the National Ballet Folklorico de Chile and watch a dance show. I start my internship on Monday, and on top of Tango lessons(which I SO want to continue), volunteering at the rehab center, and just chilean life in general..I don't think that I will have time to do everything!
Well, now i'm going to watch a movie!
Chao! (As they say in Chile!)
Ashley