First Day in the Lab

Today we had an orientation to the lab and the equipment we will be working with.  Two post doc students we will be working with, Eduardo and Rodrigo, walked us through the use of the AutoLab machine.  The learning was intense but they speak English very well so we were able to communicate effectively.

We are working with an electrochemical cell that contains three electrodes.  By switching out the compound of one of the electrodes a different graph of the oxidation and reduction that was occurring can be seen.  Some compounds produce faster results than others but the cost of the material used is a factor as well.  The ultimate goal of this research as a whole is to develop a more economical solar cell compared to the ones currently available.

Tomorrow we hope to actually start doing some of our own research.

Getting used to it

I am enjoying the simplicity of life down here. It really helps to realize how life in the United States is somewhat cluttered. At the grocery store, for example, you have a selection of 10 chips, not 100. Same is true for cereal. I am really excited about the shelf-stable milk, it makes things so much easier!

The language barrier has seemed to not be a huge issue unless we are looking for something specific. It is difficult to explain what we are looking for unless we have an example of what it is we are looking for. I wanted to get slippers, yeah, try explaining that! I am slipperless as of now.

Our apartment is not heated (hence the slippers) so during the day it is very comfortable. At night is is cool and I have 4 blankets on my bed! It reminds me of camping, once the sun goes down we need to put on more layers.

My addition to the blog today is a google map of where we are living and working. I am also adding other "locations" as we get to know the lay of the land a little better.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=-33.031162,-71.576904&daddr=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=17&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110224936514495761747.00045182546ebfdb79132&ll=-33.030731,-71.577151&spn=0.001898,0.003304&t=h&z=18

End of Day 2

Today we went to the university and got acquainted.  Humberto brought us to an outdoor market for lunch.  On our way in I saw the biggest stock of celery I have ever seen.

We had a nice lunch.  Everyone else had fish but I had cheese empanadas.

At the university we have our own office together and access to the lab.  Nicole and I also have special keys to the professor's restroom.

In the afternoon Humberto talked with us about some background information for us to understand to begin our research.  It focused on what really is a basic battery cell.  I was so happy that I was able to follow along with the information and actually understand the chemistry that was being discussed.  In my mind I was even thinking about labs I teach in CPC and how they are kind of connected.  Tomorrow we will learn how to use the equipment in the lab.

It has been a good day and I think we are all getting some things figured out.  We know how to use more of the stuff in our apartment, we know where to shop, we know how to take the bus to/from campus.  Not many people here speak a lot of English and since I know no Spanish it makes it challenging.

We made it! ALIVE!

We got here with out many glitches and we all seem to be settling in fine. Thank goodness Brant got the wireless internet going (it only took 45 of him-no Spanish- speaking to the front desk person-no English- to get it figured out). We ate toast for dinner since we had some difficultly figuring out the stove AND the oven. Maybe tomorrow...

We made it!

We are here in Vina del Mar and getting settled into our apartment. The apartment is technically in Vina versus Valparaiso but as of now both cities seem like one in the same. Jennifer and Nicole looked to have faired better on the trip than I.
I seemed to have lost something on the flight.

Humberto was a wonderful sight outside of the international arrival gate.
The rest of the day has been spent getting our bearings on the local amenities such as a mall and grocery store. It took about an hour to get the wireless figured out for our apartment but thankfully we crossed that barrier and we are fully connected. The sun peaked out after a rainy morning to present a view that surely won't get old during our three week stay.
Tomorrow after Humberto teaches an early morning class he will pick us up and we will begin our research experience.

Today is the day

Travels begin today for the three of us. As could be expected it has been a whirlwind on my end. The trip to SD was good and uneventful. The day wrapped up with 4th of July festivities in Spearfish with family and friends.

It seems to be a little bit of a trick to plan attire for the first leg. The forecast for Rapid City today is for 96 degrees but I am sure it will be brisk upon arrival in Santiago. I remember last summer traveling in sandals and short sleeves with light layers just in case. When we got on the plane in Dallas, folks were clearly wearing cold weather clothing. Waiting for a bus outside of the airport in Santiago I understood why there was a perceived mismatch in attire in Dallas. I don't know that I will do much better today but I am wearing shoes and the layers I bring should keep the heat in a little better.

Humberto will be picking us up at the airport on Sunday morning. We will then travel to the apartment in Valparaiso and begin getting our bearings. The plan is to be on campus and ready to start our program Monday morning. More pictures and stories to come.

Getting it Together

I am really struggling about what to pack for a country where I am planning on going snow skiing and being next to the beach at 70 degrees! I also appreciate my creature comforts (i.e. pillow and different shoes), so I am not left with much room in my suit cases (yes, I am bringing two). I also had a little scare with the airlines starting to charge for checked baggage. Since we are flying on two different airlines I have no clue what to follow! Most of all, I just want to enjoy this experience. I will have my computer with me, but do I really want to bring movies to watch? Probably not, I can't fit them!! I need to get back to packing, for some reason it is really easy for me to continue to put it off. Until next time...