Wan·der:
1. To move about without a definite destination or purpose.
2. To go by an indirect route or at no set pace; amble: wander toward town.
3. To proceed in an irregular course; meander.
4. To go astray
It's December 2nd and the weather is so beautifully warm that I sometimes have to remind myself that everything has been reversed and we actually ARE at the end of the year. It's weird to walk down the street and see ornamental indications of the holidays hanging from street posts and power lines as I'm in search of something to relieve me from the heat of the sun. It doesn't exactly scream "holidays" to me, but for everyone else in this hemisphere it is exactly what it should be.
It's December 2nd which means things are officially coming to a close. It means I will be home in less than two months now and that more tidal waves of change are on the horizon. November ended with a frenzy of events and random happenings that kept me happily busy and sometimes quite frustrated. On the work side of things, we finished three main events all within a week's span of each other to leave us dragging our feet and our eyelids just to make it through each following day. The experiences were interesting, but I am happily content with the knowledge that I only have 12 more official work days left until I am free as a bird. As fantastic as this experience was, I'm ready for a new one. My last event was simple and rather relaxing. My boss, Pablo, drove me out to a dinner party that our client was having and instead of running the show we ended up wine tasting, rodeo watching, and enjoying an incredible meal. It was a nice way to end things.
Within those weeks of non-stop events, we had some visitors in our house that I hope never to meet again: the well known and highly disliked family of cockroaches. I awoke in the middle of the night one night to get a glass of water, and I was pleasantly greeted by a party of cockroaches who were helping themselves to whatever happened to be on our kitchen floors, counters, sink etc...ew. We called the fumigator who came the following day to leave us with piles of dead cockroaches that were hiding in our walls. Unfortunately, for someone who is incredibly afraid of any type of bug (minus ladybugs and fireflies) this was not a fun experience. Well, I felt more relieved knowing we had blasted them out of our walls, and I began to sleep better and better each night. This came to a halt this past Friday night when I awoke suddenly (after about two weeks without seeing a single cockroach) to find a huge one crawling on my arm, another under my covers and a third conveniently up my shirt. Needless to say, I had a minor breakdown in the middle of the night trying to figure out how and why they came into my room, my bed and my clothes. It wasn't a pretty sight. As of now, I have sprayed every sort of cockroach killer possible, I have surrounded my bed with powder (they don't like dry things apparently) and we have called the fumigator once again who came yesterday. Quite the adventure. Our building informed us that unfortunately the 10th floor has a cockroach problem (gee, really?) and that they will be taking steps to look at it soon (aka: they'll address it in a few months...). I'm hoping we'll be pretty safe from another infestation at least for the next month or so until I flee from there.
After Friday nights incident, a friend of mine and I escaped to the beach to meet up with my roommate and her family (and 12 other people) to celebrate Thanksgiving in a house they rented for the weekend. We went to a small town called Zapallar which is on the coast about two hours away from Santiago (3 by bus). However, due to our attempt at cutting the travel time down (in a number of silly ways) we ended up arriving 5 hours after leaving the city. Luckiy, getting there was an adventure in and of itself so we remained pretty content with our effort. We spent the weekend in a gorgeous little house owned by a Chilean chef that had just enough room for everyone and a view overlooking the beach from the balcony. We showed our Chilean friends what a real Thanksgiving was like as we served two turkeys and many more typical dishes. It was odd enjoying it on the deck in the sunshine, but it was so great. We stuffed ourselves (as tradition) and layed around the house, the beach, the deck and anywhere else that would hold us. My friend and I roughed the freezing water for about an hour and then decided it was time to get out once our extremities stung and we were nothing but shivering messes. We huddled on the beach in a sleeping bag and clothes while those around us roasted in the sun (see below).
The town itself was home to houses that lined the shores and an array of colors that I havent seen in a long time. Both the vegetation and the residencies boasted bright colors that mixed with each other to create stunning scenery. The whole weekend was a treat for our bellies and our eyes. We stayed up until the last hours of the weekend and luckily got a ride home so we didn't have to have a bus adventure so late in the night.
Now, it's December 2nd and things are winding down. I have a few breezy weeks of work left, many goodbyes coming up as people meander out of the city and onto different things, and trips to plan for. I'll be going to San Pedro de Atacama for four days this month with my Chilean co-worker/friend before spending my last week in Santiago and heading down South. It's all going to fly right past my eyes before I even realize it, but I hope it takes my breath away as it does. In less than two months, I'll be home.
I'll update soon about my trip to San Pedro and my last days here in the city before heading south with a tent and a backpack.
I hope you're all well and staying warm up there in the north.
This past week has been an extremely, and unexpectedly, emotionally charged one. Without getting deep into the details of the heavy situations, conversations and realizations, I will share some of what I took out of it.
I have realized a lot in this past week about balancing work with friends/family, and I have taken a step back to look at the importance of being happy and the importance of keeping your balance in check for your own emotional safety. We all face decisions that take us away from keeping our word or take us away from being part of something that makes us happy, but how we handle that is the test that we'll continue to take.
I had to make a decision without having any say in the matter (if that makes sense) that took me away from a very important night with the family of friends that I have formed here. It was something that kept me from providing my promised presence to the most important people of the past year of my life, and it was an oddly eye opening experience. This series of events helped lead to me missing a "goodbye" to a great friend, a miscommunication with another great friend, and the swirling idea that I served everyone a great disappointment. The thing about great friends is that they understand everything. I have been so fortunate to find myself surrounded with people who do not get angry, but instead offer me hugs and words of support and encouragement. However, as a human being, I do not go as easy on myself as others do. I was hit really hard by the fact that I was not able to keep my word and that I was helpless in the matter.
Anyways, I explored that. I looked at what it does to me and how it can affect those around me as well. I am 23 years old with very little "real world" work experience under my belt, and I am going step by step hoping not to stumble along the way. Moreso, I am stepping very carefully so as not to hurt anyone else by not being present. But, I realized that there are decisions out there that will let people down. There are choices and moments that we won't be able to avoid and that will make us feel very small. I suppose the approach and handling of these moments is critical though difficult.
Another thing that was reinforced for me this past week was the power of communication. A friend approached me feeling a series of upsetting things that I had unknowingly helped cause, and it was an incredible exchange. He approached me without any accusatory tones and without any attack, but instead eloquent honesty and complete care. It was, to me, proof that we have so much power in our words and that they can be used for such beauty even when the news isn't always good.
This past week was such an emotionally charged one, and I find that at the beginning of a new one I feel oddly rejuvinated and calm after some turbulence. I guess we all need some turbulence to appreciate the calm that we have inbetween difficult moments. I also find that communication can hold so much meaning, whether it is verbal or not. It can be used so well or so poorly, and we continue trying to find that balance with each person.
Aside from my dumping of emotion and vague explanations, I can inform you that there hasn't been much different in Santiago life. I worked a really long week of 12-16 hour days all last week for an event between Italian businessmen and Chilean businessmen, and it left me absolutely exhausted. The weather is getting incredible and I spent the majority of the weekend at outdoor festivals, in the park playing soccer and at cafes, and all of it with great people. I have about a month left of work, but my final event is this week so I can see some freedom coming and some relaxation in the works. From there, my travels will begin as well as my farewell to Santiago.
Rabbit rabbit. Happy November. One of my senior year roommates at UNH used to ask us on the first of every month if our first words had been "rabbit rabbit" upon waking. I still strive to make it a point to do so, though I often forget.
November has rolled in and in the southern hemisphere that means more heat. All of a sudden the temperatures have changed in Santiago and that means that people are walking around in better moods and with noticeably wider smiles. The grassy parks are lined with couples who are spilling affection, and even the street dogs seem to be much more playful.
I have been taking advantage of every moment that I am not stuck indoors and in front of a computer planning an event. I've realized that sitting in front of a machine all day is hardly what I want to be doing for a career, and although it has been an incredible opportunity and experience, I am quickly getting ready to move onto the next thing that is coming my way. I have about two more months of work and then I will be backpacking down to the bottom of Chile, or the end of the world, before making my way back north. I'm sure the blogs will be much more interesting and full of life while I am hooked to the back of the birds' wings flying south.
I went outside the city last weekend to a friend's house on the beach and it was so nice to be away for a little while. Although the wind left us with a permanent chill, it was nice to be able to breathe clean air and stare out the back porch to the beach below. We went to a local fish stand and ate clams and mussels on the side of the road before hauling a fish home to cook it. We spent much of the weekend cooking, wandering the rocks that led to the ocean, and sitting by the fireplace in the evening as the sky exploded into color.
Ive noticed that as the spring rolls in and the weather gets warmer, the sunsets have been almost painting the sky in brighter shades of pinks, purples, reds and oranges. The clouds have started dancing into new formations and almost every night I am stunned at how the sky can look so incredible and at how the clouds can bend and break as they do. Ive been told that the pollution actually affects the sunset skies, so I find that one ounce of me is forgiving towards the smog. I think these last few months will be a utterly pleasant farewell to the city.
Three months from today, I will be sitting on the wings of a plane to bring me back around. Although it sounds like awhile, Ive quickly learned that a three month period can pass you by without you even noticing.
Well, there is a man playing his guitar in the park below my apartment, and I find that I being lured to my balcony to listen. Therefore, my words will end there for right now.
I hope everyone is doing well and seeing some beautiful sunsets.
Keep the hugs flowing.
Save some for me.
Someone ended a brief online note to me recently with "I hope you found what you were looking for in Chile...Safest journey home". That got me thinking about my reasoning for coming on this journey, what I was seeking at the time, and if I have found it or not.
I don't really know why I came to Chile. I have been asked that about 239892382 times here. "Por qué Chile? (Why Chile?)". I often stare at them before I come close to answering "Im asking myself the same question...", but all that usually comes out is "I.don't.know". I know that I came to South America to solidify my Spanish and learn about a new culture, but aside from that did I come looking for anything?
I think as the year is coming closer to a close, I have realized that in some form or another I came looking for parts of myself that I could only find with distance and time. I came looking to hold my own hand along the rough roads to know that it was possible before taking the next steps into the whirlwinds that will keep me going for a long time.
Sometimes I think I also came this far to find my "safest journey home". Where is home? Home is where the people you love surround you...I have created a small home here because I have had the pleasure of being involved in friendships that have turned into family and experiences that have been stitched to my soul, but ultimately I know that there will be a return ticket.
This experience is incredible everyday because Im using my brain in ways I never thought I would, Im learning things I never imagined, and Ive created a web of people that have kept me safe and sane throughout it all. I am still amazed at all facets of the world I am seeing, and even moreso at all the facets of myself that are included.
So, where was I? That's right, I was in Peru making friends with the clouds in Machu Picchu. So let me continue...
After we visited the real life postcard and sat in the unreal setting, we made our way down to the city of Cuzco to spend a few days exploring that area. We took the train through beautiful mountain landscapes in a railway car filled with a huge group on vacation from Japan. They spoke no English or Spanish, and we certainly didn't speak any Japanese, but somehow we all became friends within the first thirty minutes.
We arrived in Cuzco late (meaning 9:30 to me...) and settled in the hotel. I got up early to explore on foot via a morning run, and I couldn't believe how beautiful the small city was. The architecture was screaming with history and even the color of the sky at sunrise seemed just right for this place. The next few days were spent roaming more Inka sites around Cuzco. There were so many places in which I thought to myself "How can the earth be this beautiful? How can something like this exist?" By this point in the trip, I was really learning to enjoy the meditation that we did each day, and I really used my surroundings to get into it. At each Inka site I noticed that the use of water was very important to the ancient culture, and there would always be sources of water incorporated into each space. Amazing fountains that seemed to come from no where would offer a peaceful background noise as trees seemed to make their offering to the land by swaying back and forth whenever the wind desired. I walked barefoot around many of the sites trying to allow my body to soak up what it could from the earth. Each day in Cuzco consisted of roaming an Inka site, being amazed at the beauty of nature and coming back to the city to roam the historical streets and have coffee somewhere.
From Cuzco, we took a 9 hour bus ride to an even smaller city named Puno. The bus ride was beautiful, and we stopped on the way to see ruins from Pre-Inka cultures and beautiful churches. We slept, meditated, talked and conversed with each other and with strangers. It was a much needed rest day after many days of such mental, emotional and physical changes and adventures. As we pulled into Puno the one site we were all set on was the grandeur of Lake Titicaca. Even from afar we could see that it was such an immense body of water and it seemed to appear from no where. Everyone had their faces up to the windows on the left side of the bus and digital cameras were clicking away.
After settling into our hotel in Puno, we rested for the night and prepared for the next days adventures. I got up early and ran down to the water to jog alongside the sunrise, but I had to stop many times to stare. In addition to the beauty taking my breath away, I realized that the higher up you are in altitude the harder it is to breathe. I was up at 5:00am due to the inability to sleep (again with the breathing thing) and I watched the sunrise over the lake as I stared without being able to form a thought it my head. It was just so real.
Our Shaman Amaru took us to a local market that morning to pick up the necessities for a picnic by the water. We spoke with the vendors and they provided us with delicious foods and snacks for our journey. We drove for an hour out to a random rock formation in the middle of nowhere and climbed over pathways and rocks stopping to talk to the locals on the way. We were in the middle of a field of huge, tall, thin, flat rocks that seemed to spurt from the ground. I was amazed that rocks could be formed like this in any element of weather. They were incredible. We were apparently in some pre-Inka gateway to the Pachamama god. We chanted and hummed our way into a meditation of sorts before roaming the area in some silence. I realized that I was silent during a lot of our days due to my desire to take in each molecule of beauty, and also due to my lack of words to express how beautiful it really was. After breathing deeply and getting drunk off the landscape, we got in the van and made our way to the waters edge to have a picnic, do some tai chi and breathe some more.
We drove through a little town that was so remote and almost desolate (but also very alive), and I couldn't believe that they were places like this that existed. Women sat against their mud houses to take a break from herding sheep or washing clothes in a water basin while kids ran around letting the earth be their playground. It was so refreshing to see.
We sat on the waters edge cutting mangos, pears, peaches, bananas and homemade bread for our picnic. We fed the dogs that roamed the area and watched women carry a wheelbarrow down to the water to wash clothes. We watched ox (I think) wash in the water and follow their owners back to their land. We filled our bellies with such ripe fruits before we walked along the shore. I stuck my hand in the water and was surprised at how warm it was considering the breeze that was keeping us so chilly. We each laid out on a rock like stuffed seals and took some sun into our bones to warm us up. It was simply an ideal afternoon. On our way out, we left fruits with the locals and waved goodbye to the sheep...The rest of the afternoon was so relaxing as we just headed back into town to bum around. Perfection.
Speaking of bumming around, I think it's about time for me to do some of that before I update anymore about Peru. There is little left (yet so much left out), however it IS a Sunday morning and the parks are calling my name. I will write soon about the rest of my trip to Peru and whats been going on in Santiago.
It's been almost two months since I've last posted, and for that I apologize.
Let me quickly catch you up on the last two months before I delve into other things:
For most of July, I simply worked and tried to stay warm in the Santiago winter. I got into the routine of making dinners most nights with friends, relaxing whenever I had the chance, and tried to get myself more comfortable in my work environment. The beginning of August had me mentally preparing for a trip to Peru during the last two weeks of August. At work, I did whatever I could to organize things and make sure there wouldn't be any loose ends when I left. More so, however, I was trying not to let the excitement take over every minute of every day. It had been 7 months since Id seen anyone from home and the anticipation was killing me. I spent two weeks in Peru (which I will explain a little bit below) and I came back to Santiago with a completely different perspective of things. Things have shifted into a completely different frame and that was something I was not exactly expecting.
Peru was ineffable, though I will try to explain a few feelings I had along the way and a few things my eyes gazed upon on our journey.
I got on a plane on August 15th to head up to Lima, where I would meet up with my two aunts (Patti and 'Stretch'), to spend two weeks with a Peruvian shaman who would introduce us to power points in the ruins of the Inkas and many other incredible things. I got to the hotel where my aunts were already waiting and fell into hugs hugs hugs. That was enough to fulfill me and it was simply the beginning.
We spent a day in Lima catching up, eating well, roaming the streets and hugging some more. Then, we were on our way. We flew to Cuzco to meet with a man named Mallku (who Stretch often called 'Malcolm') who would explain our trip to us. Immediately upon landing in Cuzco I felt like I was in more of a cultural experience than I had been in Lima. The city was old and beautiful yet modern enough to offer complete comfort. Buildings were built on old Inka ruins and the energy throughout the city was incredible. We went to our Shaman's office and drank some coca tea for altitude sickness as he described what we'd be doing.
After the office visit, we drove to the Sacred Valley which is a small city outside of Cuzco and located at the base of beautiful mountains. We were driven to our hotel which was a beautiful lodge on the edge of a small river and placed in a small town. Everything was so fresh, so beautiful, so natural. I couldn't believe my eyes at the sight of how incredible nature could be. I had almost forgotten how special it was since Ive been living in the heart of a smoggy, dirty city for the last seven (now 8) months. There, we spent a few days learning the area around us. We went to salt basins, Inka ruins and more. We meditated beneath the scorching sun in the middle of Inka ruins. I am new to meditation and I found it a little bit confusing and difficult at first, but I was traveling with some experts and very supportive people who simply told me to do what felt right to me.
After a few days in the Sacred Valley, we made our way to Aguas Calientes for a night to go see the infamous Machu Picchu. We arrived and wandered around the extremely touristy town before taking our first trip up to what should be (and maybe is) one of the wonders of the world. We sat in a bus that rode around the edge of the mountains for about twenty minutes until we arrived. We waited until later in the afternoon so that we'd miss the mass of people, and luckily it worked. We arrived there while many others were leaving so we had some peace and quiet on the mountain top. Without even seeing the ruins yet, I could barely believe my eyes. The mountains were completely covered in trees except for this big mass of open land that housed the ruins of the the Inkas. There was so much beauty in each branch and stick and rock that we passed, and the energy was incredible. On our way up the path, a small butterfly circled around me and landed on my foot as if to greet me and welcome me to the area. I waited until it flew away to continue.
Laying eyes upon Machu Picchu was like sitting in a real life post card. looking down from high above, it was so perfect that it was almost unreal. Llamas fed on the grass to keep it short, and the verdant ambiance still remained fertile. It was so incredible that words would only diminish it.
We meditated and allowed ourselves to take in whatever the place wanted us to take in. We breathed deeply and rubbed our hands through the grass as we sat overlooking the peaceful ruins below. Although there were tourists galore (even at a 'slow' period) there was still a strong energy that surrounded the area. We remained fairly silent as we simply enjoyed our time overlooking such an immense history.
The next morning, we made our way up to Machu Picchu again only this time to see the daybreak. We arrived at about 5:30 or 6:00 and sat waiting for the sun to come over the peaks and warm up the land. It slowly rose as everyone around us awoke as well, and the shadows crept over the ruins as if they were stretching into another day of looking amazing. The air was clean and fresh, and everyone seemed so content and happy to simply be there. People were taking pictures and laying in the grass for hours as the sun crept up behind us. The light falling on the ruins made things look almost surreal, but we believed and joined in to the picture taking and relaxation that was going on in the patches of grass. We laid around for a few hours before making our way down to explore the ruins themselves. There, we saw the llamas walk right by us to feast on different patches of grass. We touched beautifully carved stones and looked through perfectly placed windows as we learned that NOTHING was done without intention. We spent hours in the big historical playground before we meditated and made our way down the mountain to call it a day.
Unfortunately, I can't describe every moment or feeling, otherwise we'd both be sitting here for days. I will leave this post for now so that you may read the little bit that I could even describe before I explain the second part of my trip. I will post again really soon with other details of my trip to Peru, since there is still so much left to be said.
Hope you enjoyed this brief update. Look for more really soon about Peru and more.
I woke up this morning to some cold mountains, loud city buses and the knowledge that the weekend is right around the corner. I glanced over at my calendar in hopes to see a holiday coming up soon (Score! This Thursday the city takes yet another day off)and I realized that the date is July 10th. I kinda stared at it behind sleepy eyes for a moment, and I quickly realized that July 10th marks half a year of living here.
Although it's not exactly a huge milestone, it is the first significant one I can think of. In six months, I have created a completely different life, made new friends, got a real job and I've done it all in a new country and a language other than my own.
I remember quite clearly arriving here in Chile. I hadn't slept in about two days, I got fined at the airport for "smuggling" an apple in from Florida, I got ripped off in the taxi (because I was a tired, apple-stealing gringa), and everything looked new, scary and exciting. I walked the city for days, I learned the streets and the metros and I slowly started to let Santiago seem into my pores (literally...its filthy here).
6 months later I have moved twice, I have made a ton of new friends (additional family, if you will) and I have a job that I really enjoy. I thought about that as I walked to work in the cold this morning. I thought about how in 6 short months I have built something out of nothing. I landed on empty shores and built a hut, then a road, then I started a small town (I just need a bank...). The sounds of the buses no longer shake me as they pass, the streets no longer intimidate me, and I am no longer a stranger to Santiago.
Well, its back to work for now.
I miss you all.
Keep the hugs flowing and flying, and I'll try to catch a few.
With a tea, some music and a few friends joining me in my living room, we've taken it upon ourselves to dedicate this Sunday to pure laziness. The Santiago chill has decided to loom quite awhile in the city, and sometimes a day of pure laziness is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the Santiago nightlife schedule has also loomed in our lives as we find ourselves staying out later and later on Saturday evenings. This pretty much debilitates us every Sunday and leaves us with very little energy. So, a day of couch potato seems to be an order.
In the past month, I have been learning a lot in regards to my professional life down here. As I mentioned in a previous posting, I recently made a sudden job change on a whim and I have therefore been trying to accommodate myself to the new demands that come along with it. I have been working in my new company for about a month and I have surprisingly found myself loving it even though I am often in a cloud of confusion.
I work in an office with solely my boss and my colleague (who has now taken on the role of an older Chilean sister), and it is a very comfortable space. We spend the cold Santiago days making each other tea, sending emails, making phone calls, going out to lunch and joking around at random intervals. I am serving as the link between the Spanish-speaking world and the world that doesn't speak Spanish in order for us to maximize our communication with the event guests. My boss is extremely patient yet demanding, and it gives me a comforting challenge in both my language skills and my first steps into the professional world in any sense. So far, I have really enjoyed the onda (vibe) of the office and I'm much happier in my new setting.
Outside of the job, things are simply peachy. Unfortunately I don't have the patience to write about everyone and everything that has made an impact on my life, but I find daily reminders of why I wanted to come on this journey and why I am continuing to stay. The other day, I was walking through an area of the city where they sell artesanias and other random "Chilean" things, and got pleasantly caught in a conversation with an old man at one of the small kiosks. We greeted each other as any normal person would, but somehow 30 minutes later we were talking about philosophy, communication, and the beauty and pain that the world has to offer. I simply love getting caught in these random conversations that each give me a piece of the city and a piece of the people around me. We talked of many things, but he left me with this quote: "Sin presión, no habían diamantes" (Without pressure, there would be no diamonds).
The city center was buzzing yesterday as it does every Saturday and Sunday with people spilling from their apartments to walk around. Free hugs were being passed out (I stocked up) and there were youth groups getting people involved. It was so nice to see people connecting and walking around even though the winter has set itself in place here, and it was nice to be a part of it.
Aside from my random conversations, my work, and my lazy Sundays, I am simply continuing to live life and spend as much time with my friends as I can. I have a trip to Peru coming up with two very special people, and I am looking forward to taking two weeks outside the city life and breathing the air of another country. Until then, I'm simply trudging along in the city hoping it doesn't rain (the drainage here is horrible, so it's full of puddles at the lightest rain), enjoying the time with the wonderful Chileans that I've met here and learning as much as I can. I could get used to this for a little while.
My lazy Sunday must come to an end (or at least the internet part of it) so that I can go converse and breathe the outside air.
I hope everyone back at home is doing well
I think about you all the time
Keep the hugs flowing
Send some to me
I'll write soon.
love love love.
Oh yeah, and happy 4th of July. We celebrated with some style last night though we were missing fireworks. :)
Winter has fallen upon us in Santiago, which basically means freezing mornings and evenings, and 75 degree days. It has been rather confusing for the body, and thus it tends to leave everyone contracting every possible sickness there is. Halls cough drops are sold at every goodies stand (which are each located about 100 feet apart) and masks are starting to be sold at the entrance of each metro stop. I think I have made cough drops the new staple of my diet, as I pop a new one every 10 minutes to give my throat some sort of relief.
Santiago wore me down this week. In addition to contracting each kind of cold there is, I had quite an up and down experience this week.
It started at the end of last week when my friend Pancho called me to inform me that he knew someone who was looking for an English and Spanish speaker to come work for him. Pancho rents out offices in his office building, and a small events planning company was looking for someone to come work with them. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I went to meet with a man named Pablo who owns the small company. We talked for awhile, and I learned about him and what he does for his business. I also learned what he was looking for and where I could fit in. Pablo informed me that he was looking for someone who has a good knowledge of the Spanish language and who has fluency in English to work side by side with him and his employees to prepare for corporate events. The company, called GrupoDos, puts on events for various large corporations (Toyota, Avery Dennison, Bristol-Meyers Squibb etc) in which they have people from all around the world meeting in once place for various conferences and events. I would be the link to those guests who are not from the Spanish speaking world in order to offer them information and answers before and during each event.
After a few meetings with Pablo, I decided to throw caution to the wind and take the job. This meant that I would have to quit my other job of being an English professor....darn. Although English teaching has taught me a lot, I knew I couldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers. After all, I came to this country to learn Spanish and learn how this part of the world works.
I went into my current office on Wednesday afternoon and broke the news to my Chilean boss, Tatiana. Bad move. Although I knew it was unprofessional to quit with only 5 days notice, I had to make the decision based on what would be best for me. Tatiana was not happy, to say the least. In fact, she threatened to take me to court and make me pay for the classes that my students may have to miss due to their lack of substitute teachers. "What if I had Swine Flu?" I asked her, hoping to clear up some honest curiosity of how they would approach that situation. "That's different". Needless to say, I didn't delve into the court issue too much due to my lack of Law vocabulary in Spanish, but I knew I had to figure something out since she appeared pretty serious. Luckily, my next English class right after my meeting with Tatiana was with a group of Chilean lawyers. I decided to be unprofessional yet again and take advantage of free legal advice, although it was against the company they are paying to teach them English. Each and every lawyer told me that she had no right to take me to court, that she would expend more money doing so, and they all offered me their personal information in case I got into anything too sticky with her. That immediately made me feel better, so I went on with the fact that I was quitting come Monday.
On top of the stress of Mrs. Chilean Boss, I had started my new job that day during the hours in which I was not in class. My computer had broken two days prior, so I had no connection to the world (or so it felt) and I was battling the common Chilean cold which was knocking at everybody's door.
All in all, after a few stressful and confusing days, things have worked out so far. My computer was fixed, my old boss backed off, my new job has proven to be interesting, and my sinuses have started to clear.
I learned a lot this week about many things. The one that I recognized the most was the immediate attention of my Chilean (and Gringo) friends and students to help me through any trouble I was in. In each of these difficult situations, I had either a student or a friend making connections and figuring out a way to make my life a little easier. I had people calling computer stores to find me the lowest prices, I had men at the market offering me advice for the common cold, and I had many people making contact with their friends who are lawyers in light of my boss trying to scare a little foreign girl into staying at work. With every stumbling step I took I felt so much support from everyone around me. After this week, I have finally realized that I have become so planted in this country that I already have friends who would be willing to do almost anything to help me out of confusing (and sometimes legal) situations.
As the week comes to a close, I am feeling rather tired but not defeated. I can now say I have a new job with a Chilean company (www.grupodos.cl), my computer is up and running again (for a lot less than I thought it would be), and I am finally taking a breath of relief.
Also, I just made some beet, zucchini, carrot, and pumpkin soup, so I'm feeling pretty good and fairly culinary. A good soup can always make anyone feel better.
I'll fill you in soon on my new position in this company and how it treats me. Pablo said I'll even be getting my own card to give out to people. Sweeeeeet. I don't know if I'm more excited about the card or about the actual job. I'll keep you posted.
I miss you all quite a bit. Keep the hugs flowing Send some my way Eat some soup.
I have recently found myself much more content in my journeys than I was a few months ago. Before, I found that I felt rather unsettled, confused, out-of-sorts and alone, and now I find myself settled and quite happy here. Aside from work, I have been throwing myself into many diverse social situations that have kept me busy and quite exhausted, but extremely entertained.
Not many updates other than normal life things, but there are a few to speak of. About two weeks ago while I was giving a class, I noticed the room started shaking a little. At first I couldn't think of what it could be, but then my student looked at me and simply said "ay, un temblor..(oh, a tremor)" like it was nothing. Of course, for a Chilean a tremor is nothing exciting, but for a Gringa like myself who has never experienced anything similar, I found that I was quite thrilled to be living my first one. The room was shaking and it was almost as if I could also see the earth outside shaking through the window since we were so high up in the building. It lasted quite awhile as I sat in complete shock and excitement at this unexpected movement of the ground beneath us, and my student found it very entertaining to watch me beam in awe. She was laughing quite a bit at my reaction as I let the excitement show with no shame. I've asked many people about the tremors here, and apparently they happen all the time though I have never felt one before. Although my first one was exciting, I have learned that many people fear that a tremor will quickly turn from a slight movement of the earth to a large displacement of land and grow into a "terremoto" (earthquake). I also learned that the biggest earthquake in the world occurred in the South of Chile in the 60's, and it was followed by a tsunami shortly after due to the large displacement of land. The last large earthquake was in the 80's, and they are expecting one rather soon. I'll be sure to keep the door frames in view in case I need to seek cover.
Other than minor earth dances, I have been quite intrigued by more and more each day. I have mainly been fascinated at how comfortable I now feel here and how time can really help you learn to adapt to what you are served. I have meeting many many people and I feel so lucky to know the Chileans that I know. I have recently moved to yet ANOTHER apartment for reasons that are too long to write about, but I have felt incredible since my move. Things at my other apartment had begun to wear me out emotionally and physically, and I find myself feeling refreshed with my new house and my new space. It's a cute little place on the tenth floor in an apartment located in a small park, but only a stones throw away from my old place. It's a great area in the city and I get to see the sun peek out past the mountains every morning and get tucked in behind them every night. All in all, I just feel really good.
I went to a car rally today outside the city (about 30 minutes) to watch my friend Pancho's friend ride in the race. We hauled a grill, a ton of meat, a lot of friends and our tired bum's out to the middle of some dry land at 8am to watch cars drive by all day and to share some great BBQ with some new people. I am loving being able to communicate myself to people around me and I'm learning so many new words and phrases. I find that the Spanish language still hits a positive chord for me, and I find my desire to learn it stronger everyday.
Last night, I went to a French movie with Spanish subtitles, and although I had a bit of a language overload, I found it was no problem to understand the entirety of the movie just by reading the Spanish. I am also reading books in Spanish and watching news and much more with no problem, and this often puts a smile on my face. Sometimes I cant believe that I can live in two languages, but I never cease to love it.
What else, what else, what else? Not too much, in fact. I wish I could write about many everyday things that serve me smiles and treat me well, but in addition to not being able to remember many specifics, I'd probably just end up boring the heck out of you anyways. For now I'll leave it there and hope that more stories come my way and that I'll find more of an ability to remember and express it correctly.
I still think about you all everyday and miss you quite a bit. The autumn here still doesn't hold a flame to my home, but I have learned to sit well with the smog for the time being.
Keep the hugs flowing everydayyy Send some to me..don't forget :)
Quédate en el camino. Ha llegado la noche para ti. Tal vez de madrugada nos veremos de nuevo. - Pablo Neruda "El Olvido"
I recently went to one of Pablo Neruda's three houses here in Chile. This one is located in Barrio Bellavista (the "hip, cultural" place to be) and it is hidden in the backdrop of the action right up against the hill. If you didn't know it was Pablo Neruda's previous house, you'd probably pass it by and think it was simply another well-designed house on the hill with colors exploding around it to keep it in line with the rest of the area.
When we went in, there was this presence that seemed to loom over each room and an odd calm that has been hard to find within these city limits. Each of his three houses are built to make you feel like you're actually in a boat, and he achieved that feeling almost to perfection. The history of his life and the stories that we heard were pretty amazing, and you could see how much of that reflected itself in his poetry. I wish I could bring to life the feeling of walking through his house but it is fairly indescribable, and with my newly present lack of English, I fear I may simply butcher any sort of description I try to muster up. I hope some pictures below can speak a little bit for me:
I find that I am stuck between two different languages, and thus two different worlds. I have not yet mastered the Spanish language, but I am quickly losing my ability to think, write, and even speak in my mother tongue. I recently asked a few of my "gringo" friends if they were going through the same thing and they admitted much frustration in this aspect. It's been a really eye opening experience and a really confusing one at the same time. I know I have mentioned this before, but its becoming more and more present as time goes on. I find I sit in front of my blog quite often and quit before making it to the end of a blog due to the frustration of not expressing myself in the way I'd like, or the new fights I get in with 'spell-check'. I also notice that I tend to write like a 4-year-old girl with run-on sentences, rambling thoughts, and incorrect words (ie: their, there, they're...). It drives me crazy to the point of avoiding my blog, or just accepting the fact that I now sound like a fool in two languages. I find that speaking 4-year-old English all day with my students doesn't help my case, and it leads me to many of the above mentioned mistakes. I suppose more than anything, you are all now sufficiently warned and will not cringe when you stumble upon one of those run-ons, spelling mistakes, or incoherent thoughts. Either way, it's been a very interesting transition.
The city has been greeted with a layer of smog, and overnight the blanket of dirt was laid over the mountains. I have never in my life seen so much filth in the air, and the beautiful view we once had of the mountain range is now covered by a hazy mess. With the smog came the autumn, and I must say my prediction has been correct: no autumn will ever hold a flame to the autumns in New England. As I was reflecting on (more like missing) the fall in New England, I realized how much that is part of OUR culture. The bright leaves go hand-in-hand with apple cider or carved pumpkins. The cold air is our clue to put on more layers and start baking something yummy. The gloves get slipped on and hair becomes messy under warm hats and hoods. There is simply nothing like a New England autumn. I always keep my eye out for leaves bursting into shades of orange and red, but I am often disappointed to realize (time and again) that I will not be lucky enough to find one here.
My mind has already started to retire in English, so I might have to cut it there until I can re-boot and make sense of myself. This weekend, I am going to the mountains outside the city to breathe some fresh air and go camping. I'll still be keeping my eye out for leaves changing colors (out of habit) though I know it'll be a miracle to see one.
I'll keep you updated on what I find.
I miss you all and hope you're doing well. I think about everyone back home and what adventures they may be up to. Keep in touch.
Que todo este bien y espero que ustedes sigan sonriendo.
Keep the hugs flowing. Send some through the smog. Much much love.
I recently came across this article online about the Chilean culture and the "10 things you really wish you'd known about Chile" before arriving. I'm sure this article can sum up the idea of Chile better than I ever could, and it's rather amusing as well. Enjoy:
'Cachai,' Completos and Cafés con Piernas: 10 Things We Really Wish We'd Known About Chile
Your first Sunday in Santiago likely left you wandering a ghost town with a non-functional cell phone ("international" plan--yeah, right), trying not to stare at the overly affectionate Chilean couples around every corner and wondering why everyone kept saying "cachai."
But you're not alone--many of us have been there, too, and hope you won't make the same mistakes we once did. Here's a crash course on the 10 most beneficial, useful and even crucial things to know about Chilean life that we each learned the hard way:
1. Chileans tend to really push the envelope when it comes to showing the world just how much they love their other half. A simple peck on the cheek and pat of the hand just won't do for this impassioned nation. Regardless of age, expect to see various un-edifying examples of Latin lovin' in public spaces across the country.
2. The cornerstone of Chilean culture is the country's fundamental slang that makes "proper" Spanish speakers cringe. Practically every chilenismo (Chilean saying) has at least two meanings, many times contrary to each other. La raja often means great, spectacular--or simply, the s**t. On the other hand, it can also mean very tired or spent.
Worse yet, the word weón--and its infinite derivatives--is used more often than a drunken Irishman swears. It can mean nearly anything from a term of endearment for a close friend to a violent word directed at enemies, to an idiot, "dude," "f**k" and practically any other noun, verb or adjective possible in conversation. Cachai ("got it")?
3. Santiago on Sunday feels like the Twilight Zone. No one is around and the few shopkeepers who are working peer at you strangely as if they're wondering, "Why are you here? Is there something wrong with you?" From Las Condes to Lampa, the streets are as dead as the dodo. It’s like everyone knows something you don't, and is out somewhere having fun without you.
4. If you like hot dogs, Chile is mecca. Completos (hot dogs with tomato salsa and mayonnaise) and italianos (hot dogs with tomato salsa, mayonnaise and guacamole) are served everywhere and eaten on almost any occasion.
Their pile of ingredients can be a bit intimidating at first; but once you polish your technique, you'll find that they're a surprisingly satisfying and tasty part of Chilean life.
5. Santiago’s urban narcotic jungle can be summed up in two words: Avenida Suecia. While the swarm of drug movement is abound on this Providencia street, you'll also find lots of strip bars and cheap, friendly, but dubious suripantas (hookers). Watch out for pickpocketers, flaites and possible she-males, though.
6. Chilean phones aren't like phones anywhere else. It's perfectly obvious to all the locals that you dial "02" before the number if it's a land line, "09" if it's a mobile and "963" if the recipient has brown hair and it's a Tuesday, but for any newcomer the process is utterly incomprehensible.
To make matters worse, if you've only got 3 pesos of credit left on your phone, you may as well send smoke signals--and you didn't really expect to be able to send and receive texts from abroad with your new mobile, did you?
7. Pisco is the pride of Chilean booze, and a pisco sour is the way to imbibe this deceptively strong grape liquor. However, finding a good pisco sour can be hit or miss. When contemplating a sample, make sure that the bar makes them fresh, either normal (lemon juice, sugar, pisco, and ice) or peruano (lime juice, sugar, pisco, ice, and egg white).
Look around for the traditional petite flute glass in the hands of locals--it's a bad sign if everyone is drinking beer by the liter.
8. If it's your first time in Chile, prepare to fork over some cash at the airport (or swipe your credit card) when you arrive. There is a "reciprocity fee" charged to US (US$131), Canadian (US$132), Mexican (US$15) and Australian (US$61) citizens upon entry to Chile. The stamp you're awarded is valid for the life of your passport, but the tourist visa lasts for just 90 days. Avoid major hassles and don't let your tourist visa expire on you--immigration won't let you leave without resolving the issue. (Trust us, we've been down that road.)
9. Whether you're job hunting, booking accomodations or just asking for a tad more info on a concert or event, forget about sending an email. It takes a while to realize it wasn't just bad luck that no one answered--Chilean culture values the warmth of face-to-face communication or phone calls over the cold, impersonal binaries of an email or text.
To further frustrate any first-worlder, Chilean time is different than the hour on your watch. It's an unspoken understanding that whenever you work out a good time for both parties, you actually mean any time at least 30 or 40 minutes thereafter--stretching up to 4 or 5 hours when talking to gardeners, plumbers or cable TV repairmen.
10. Many cafés in Chile serve more than just coffee. A café con piernas ("coffee with legs") comes with, well, a nice side of T and A. As one of Chile's most tantalizing cultural phenomena, delicious espressos and juices in these themed cafés are served by affectionate, attentive and scantily clad waitresses.
That's just a little idea of Chile. Hope you enjoyed. MISS YOU ALL
It's really easy to lose track of time after awhile amidst the never-ending English lessons, continued exploration, and life in general. I have recently realized that I haven't written in my blog for quite awhile now, yet the days seemed to have just slipped by me without me noticing.
In the past few weeks, I have been working like a crazy gal. Due to to the crazy hours of English teaching, I find that I am running around all day with only a few hours of rest in between my classes, in which I am usually preparing for the upcoming class. Although I love it, I am getting worn out fairly easily, and I am feeling more and more disconnected from everyone back at home due to lack of time to stay in contact. However, I know that this experience requires a lot of my time and I know that I will do as much as possible to keep in contact with everyone. Forgive me, though, if I seem to disappear for a week or two at a time.
As for my life in Chile, I recently bought a bike from some old men who work at a metal shop next door to my house, and I've officially fallen in love with it. It is worn down, old, rusty, squeaky, and has one gear, but it is my baby. I am planning to clean it, strip it, oil it and paint it so that I can revive the soul that I know once lived in it's spokes. I ride my bike all over the city which allows me to avoid the insane public transportation, but I've recently realized that the sidewalks are just as full of people as the noisy buses and metro. Luckily after practicing a few times, you learn to dodge people with finesse and ease, though you sometimes encounter a grumpy old woman who wants nothing to do with bikes on the sidewalk.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to get away from the city for a little while to go to a little place called Laguna Verde. A Chilean friend of mine invited me to go with her and a friend to her house hidden on the coast of Chile. I didn't realize how beautiful it could possibly be until I arrived. The ride out there wasn't bad at all since we blasted music, ate fresh fruit from the market, and had tons of conversation, and once we arrived I felt like I'd already taken a small vacation just being in the car and escaping from the city. At some point, the road ended and turned to dirt, and we made our way over rocks and potholes that made up the "road". After a little while of trying to secure the fruit, the dog and ourselves, we finally arrived at a small little house on the coast.
I stood for a moment in awe of how something in the world could be so beautiful.
The weekend briefly brought me back to calm New England nights of listening to nature and cooking dinner with a roaring fire in the background. We spent the weekend relaxing, breathing fresh air, staring at the stars, cooking, visiting the beach and roaming the hills/cliffs where the house rested. I'd forgotten how quiet things can get in the middle of nowhere and I'd forgotten how much I need that tranquility in my life. Although the city life offers me a lot of excitement and new experiences, I've realized how important it is to be able to see the stars and hear the wind. I've realized how much it calms me to sit in silence for a moment and stare at a beautiful landscape. I'd forgotten how to get in touch with myself and explore my thoughts, and it eased me to know that it's still quite possible.
The weekend went by fast and Sunday night hurried us home. Since then, I've been working working working and trying to get my new schedule (even more classes) settled and organized. Luckily, I won't be adding anymore classes in the next few weeks, so I'll have a chance to catch up on my organization.
The days pass really quickly here. I get lost in the hours that I'm moving throughout the city and keeping myself busy, and I notice that it weighs on me to be out of contact with the ones I love. Luckily, I am making a rather large group of friends here who comfort me and keep my spirits up when I'm feeling down, but the distance has started to become more and more apparent. I am thinking of you all...all the time.
This weekend holds a little bit relaxation from the busy work week, but I'll be staying in the city to take advantage of the city culture. Tonight, I'm off to a Radiohead concert to which I don't have tickets, but I'll be joining many others outside the stadium to enjoy the vibe and the music (and maybe hopefully buy a cheap ticket from someone).
I miss you all dearly. I think about what you are all doing in your lives, and I wish I could jump on my cell phone and quickly check in with people. Please know that I am sending many hugs and much love from down here in Chile.
Keep the hugs overflowing. Send some to me and I'll be sending them back.
Growing up, my mom always told me a good way to remember the change of hour during daylight savings time: "Fall back, spring forward" she would say. That way, I always knew whether to change the clock back one hour or to push it forward. Daylights savings time just recently crept up on us in Chile as well, and I assumed to push the clock forward because everyone in the States just did so. However, upon investigating the "fall back, spring forward" saying, I learned that the same rule applies here. I simply forgot that instead of entering spring, we will soon be entering fall. Needless to say, that means we changed the clocks back, and I am now on the same hour as the United States. Sweeeeeet :)
Things have been moving very quickly here in Santiago, and it feels like there is not enough time in each day. Lately, now that I am settled and working, I have started to feel how far away I actually am from home. The reality of my change is starting to become more noticeable, and therefore has started to take a slight toll on me. I just keep reminding myself that it's all part of the process.
My work schedule has been starting to come together, and I'm quickly realizing how exhausting the life of an English teacher may actually be. Although I am completely content to have a job with as many hours as I can get, it's become evident that the schedule will soon run my life. Because I am teaching business people, they schedule the classes around their set work schedule, which means I am running from 8AM to 9PM with a few hours in-between to pass out on my sofa. English teaching is an interesting profession down here. After getting settled into the schedule more and more each week, I have realized that for the most part I really like my job. It's really fulfilling to see a student surpass their own expectations of their speaking abilities, and in addition to teaching them English, I have found that I am learning quite a bit as well. Each one of my students offers me so many new perspectives about the city, work, and life in general.
The language barrier is quickly crumbling, and I've noticed that my English speaking abilities have been as well. I find that when I'm speaking English, I have to work harder to express myself and find the words that once came so easily to me. In fact, it often takes many attempts to write certain emails, journal entries, and letters. Therefore, I must apologize for any stupid punctuation mistakes, run-on sentences or incoherent thoughts that will soon start to appear in every blog entry. I am currently living in a language limbo that sometimes frustrates me, and sometimes fascinates me.
I wish I could give a more detailed update of how I'm doing, however, my travels have not yet begun, and my English has ceased to flow as it once did. I am enjoying everyday that I am here, though I have not forgotten how much I love the comfort of what I left behind. I wake up some days with a huge desire to step out of the house and breathe deeply the springtime air that chases the cold away from New England, and I miss the mornings when I can hear the birds coming out of hibernation to sing us a new song.
I miss you all and I continue to think about you all the time.
I'll update more when I have some more time, some more stories, and some more ease with explaining what I am trying to say.
Keep the hugs flowing. Send some to me. I'll be sending them back.
I left the house one morning before most of Santiago had woken. I was on my way to a really early English class about 30 minutes away from my house, and the chilly mountain air was still settled over the city. On my way, I noticed that no one was smiling. I realized that no one ever really smiles when they walk from one place to another (no one is frowning either, though I have seen a grimace or two along the way). I wondered how people would react if I smiled the whole way to work, so I did just that.
I thought about many things of my past that will always put a smile on my face, such as wonderful conversations I've had, my many travels to different places in the world, and all the people I have been lucky enough to love along the way. It didn't take long to think of some things that had me beaming with smiles. So there I was...I was walking down the street with a huge grin on my face looking like some sort of doofus, but I was determined to continue it the whole way to work. I figured that smiling shouldn't take so much effort and shouldn't be so odd, so I kept my grin gleaming in many different shades of happy.
Some people looked at me as if I was crazy, some people awkwardly smiled back, and some people saw me and looked away immediately (they probably thought I was a crazy lady...). I was very interested in all of the different reactions I was getting, but one reaction has stayed with me for days.
I had stopped at a crosswalk where we were all waiting for the little electronic man to turn green, and I noticed an older man, about 65-years-old, across the street waiting to come my way. I noticed him because he was staring at me without subtlety and I could tell he was rather curious as to why I had a huge grin on my face. The little electronic man turned green and we all started to cross. The man came my way and I went his, and we would soon pass each other. He was still staring at me and at this point a small smile had formed on his face. He walked more slowly than the rush of people that were racing to their offices or to a meeting, and his smile kept getting bigger. Right when we crossed paths, he smiled a huge smile, looked me straight in the eye and said "gracias" (thank you). I said "de nada" (your welcome) and kept on my way.
I couldn't believe it. Someone thanked me for simply smiling as I walked down the street.
I guess we never really realize how much a smile can affect someone. I guess we never really know how the small things we do can make an impact on other people's days, no matter how small that impact may be.
I try to smile whenever I walk now.
You are all often the reason for many of my smiles. So, as the old man said to me, "gracias".
Keep the hugs flowing. Send some to me. Smile when you go somewhere today. Much love.
February has come and almost gone, and I sometimes still can't believe that I live here. More than that, I sometimes can't believe how normal it feels to live here. I have found a home and a family (of friends) that keep me feeling completely comfortable to be myself. I've lived in my new house for about a week and a half, and I absolutely love it here. Every afternoon or night that I come home, we sit and talk as a family and eat lunch/dinner together to share what has happened in our day. I feel extremely lucky to have found a place to call home.
This weekend, I escaped with some friends for a little while to camp in Pichilemu, a small surf town about 4 hours outside of Santiago. It was a much needed break from daily life in the city, and it was a great way to test my camping skills. I don't have much experience with pitching tents and cooking over campfires, but I was all up for it. We left from Santiago at about 10:30pm (since our bus was 1.5 hours late...typical Chile) and we arrived at 2:30am. We found a campsite nearby the bus station and pitched our tents in the dark. By the time we got the first part up, we were rolling on the ground laughing at our abilities, or rather lack there of. At about 3am, we joined the rest of the town in the center to walk around and eat empanadas and ice cream - the typical summer diet of Chileans. At some point, we decided that our tents were calling our names, so we retired to get a frozen, hard, uncomfortable sleep on the ground of Pichilemu. Although we barely slept, we felt rested in the morning due to our excitement of camping and being near the beach. We cooked oatmeal over the fire and passed around fruit and bread.
The day was lazy. We sat on the beach playing games, making guacamole, taking pictures, and swimming in the ocean which was just as frigid as the shores of Boston. The further south you go, the colder it gets, which is still a concept I haven't fully grasped. Therefore, I was a little surprised at how numbing the water was, but I braved it anyways and swam for a little while once I could no longer feel my body. We spent the rest of the day being beach bums and enjoying each others company. At some point, we headed to the bus station to buy tickets for our return the next day (to make sure we wouldn't get stuck) and we found out that all the buses were full, and there was only ONE left going to Santiago for the rest of the weekend which was about to leave in 20 minutes! Long story short, we RAN to our camp site, packed up our tents and bags quicker than anything I've ever done, and ran back to the bus station with our tents and bags in shambles and in tow. The bus had already left, but we spotted another bus with "Santiago" on it, so we rushed over. It was about to pull out of the station and had no space, but we persuaded the driver to let us sit on the floor next to the bathroom. Needless to say, it wasn't exactly the most comfortable trip home, but it was certainly an experience.
Upon our return to Santiago (at 11:30 pm), we were incredibly tired but we weren't ready to sleep. We spent time in my house relaxing with some red wine and conversation to help our "difficult" transition back to the city.
Things since then have been insane. I have recently signed on to work with a new company and they'll be offering me a contract that'll be good for legal work for about 5 years (don't worry, I don't plan on staying that long). Therefore, this week I'm finishing up classes with my other institute and I'm preparing myself to start somewhere else. That means a lot of paperwork, quite a bit of stress, and little free time.
They have told me that March brings swarms of people back from vacation to live in Santiago, so I'm preparing myself for the waves of new faces and packed metro rides (though walking is my preferred mode of transportation). For now, I'm enjoying the "quiet" streets and open parks, though I have little time to enjoy them.
I'm missing you all quite a bit. Some days are easier than others, but some days it hits me hard knowing that I am so far from home and so far from my past comfort. Luckily, the home I have found here offers me a lot of new comfort, but there are some things that are simply just not the same.
I hope you're all doing well. Keep the hugs flowing and send some to me along the way.
Living in such a large and busy city, it's easy to forget that you're surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature that perch just out of reach. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life (such as looking for jobs, settling in, roaming the streets, and trying to meet as many people as possible) and completely overlook what the land has to offer.
About a week ago, some of my friends (also some people I'm living with) called me and told me to meet them at a particular cafe. They said we were going on an adventure for a little while to escape the dirty city boundaries and get some fresh air. I was extremely tired, but I decided not to pass up a chance to have a small adventure, so I complied and met them at the cafe. We sat around for a little while enjoying the sun and the conversation, and once the afternoon started to turn to evening, we decided to head out. We set out in my friends car and drove past all the newly familiar places that I've gotten to know so well (on foot, of course), and we prepared for a few hours of relaxation and real air that hasn't been laced with smog and smoke from the buses that roar through the city.
The further we drove, the more apparent it was that there was much more that lies out of our immediate reach. The buildings started to gather more space between them, and the signs for empanadas and homemade goodies started to lace the streets. We drove for about 30 minutes before we started to enter the mountainous area, and I was already stupefied at how beautiful it looked. The mountains started to take the stage all around us, and we drove into them without looking behind.
We didn't know how far we were going to go, where we would end up, or what we were doing, but we knew we were headed for an area called Cajon de Maipo (the mountains and the whole area we were headed). The trees started to get greener, the air started to freshen, and the sound of rivers started to whisper louder and louder in our ears. Eventually, we got hungry, and those signs for homemade empanadas were what we were seeking. We stopped in a little town in Cajon de Maipo which was quaint and beautiful. The buildings were old and colorful, the people were roaming the square in search of nothing and everything, and the dogs were playing with each other in a constant game of tag. We, too, roamed the square for a little while in complete silence as our empanadas (typical food here...delicious) were all we could concentrate on.
After a little bit, we decided to drive further into the mountains. We stopped at old train tunnels, wild river, and fields where horses wandered without reason. We jumped on rocks, smelled the air, laughed about nothing and simply enjoyed listening to the quiet that surrounded us. I finally felt like I was seeing some authenticity of Chile instead of just another large city, and it was so refreshing. We did this for a few hours before having a coffee and some homemade bread and marmalade. As the moon started to rise, we decided to head back to the noisy of the city, but not before savoring the last 40 minutes of the drive home in silence. We rolled the windows down, sucked in all the air we could, looked at the moon illuminating the mountains in the distance, and we could all tell that it was just what we needed to rejuvenate. After throwing myself into such a new experience, I didn't realize how frazzled I really was and how much a small piece of nature could calm me. It was a small adventure, but amazing nonetheless.
The city has taken center stage again and I've been working as much as possible and trying to get accustomed with setting a schedule. I moved to my new apartment this weekend, and I'm already loving it a hundred times more than my other place. I feel that this is were I will soon call "home" since it's the closest thing I've felt to home since leaving the States. Other than that, I continue to get to know the city, the people, and the customs that will soon become normal to me.
I know I'll be taking many more adventures within the next year or two, so I'm trying not to get to antsy to travel, though my desire to see everything is difficult to ignore. However, everything here as proved to be an adventure, so I'm always on my toes and rarely at a stand-still.
I miss you all and hope you're well. I continue to think of home everyday and how you're all doing.
Keep the hugs flowing. Send some down to this little country for me. Love love love.
My initial assumption was that I wouldn't find work until March. Everyone told me that it was useless to hope for a job beforehand, since the whole country is on vacation right now (which means either getting out of Santiago, or sleeping until 4 or 5 in the afternoon), so I didn't put much stress into finding a job immediately. To my surprise, an institute contacted me last minute and asked if I could start giving classes immediately to a few bigwigs in a company called Oracle. A bit frazzled and taken aback, I of course said yes, and I went in for training. Training was simply getting a lot of paperwork shoved in my face, a brief overview of what to expect and what to do, and a lot of "good luck's"....Oh.dear.
My first day of work was yesterday and I nervously made my way to the other side of the city where the high rise buildings rest, and the dress code turns to a business-like norm. I had to keep reminding myself that although I'd never taught before, in this situation I was lucky enough to have all the information (the English language) already ingrained in my head, and my sole job was to simply speak (which my mother knows I have no problem with). This class was a one-on-one class, so it was much more like a conversation than anything. We sat in a board room and talked about ourselves, our lives, and anything else that came to the table. My student, Oscar, said he doesn't want to waste time with the books, but simply wants to speak. Ok...easy enough. I will be working with him until September (I have no idea what we'll talk about 5 hours a week until September) and I have a funny feeling that we'll either end up with nothing to talk about, or I'll turn into a foreign "therapist" for a few months... In addition to Oscar, I have added on three other private lessons as well. One is through my institute, and two are people who responded to an ad I put up on the internet who would like to pay me to talk to them. It boggles my mind a bit that someone would pay to simply have me use my own language in conversation, but I have quickly realized that they don't have access to native speakers very often and many advanced level students are just itching to get some speaking practice in.
All of a sudden, my life went from teetering on boring, to running around the city to meet with potential students and trying to set a schedule that fits around my teaching time and travel time. As of this week I have classes everyday, and I'm going to have to remember who is who and what we each talked about. Luckily, giving private lessons is fairly easy to do on a whim since they are simply paying me to open my mouth and form words in my native tongue.
Other than the job, things are going wonderfully here. I have a group of friends that I feel comfortable calling on a day-to-day basis, and I am looking forward to moving into my new apartment in March (many of you have asked for my new address, and I mentioned that I'd put it on my blog, so I'll include it at the end) so that I can be settled once and for all and not have to worry about moving. I spent my first day outside the city a few days back when some of my friends and I went to the mountains to escape the noise and eat some empanadas. It was absolutely beautiful, and I'll write about that and try to put some pictures in as soon as I can. I was beginning to forget about the nature part of Chile that I had been looking so forward to seeing, so this day trip was just what I needed to remind me of the gritty Chile that I hope to see more of.
I hope you're all doing well back home. I miss you all and think about you all the time. The longer I am here, the more it sinks in how far away I really am.
For those of you who wanted my address...
NEW ADDRESS AS OF MARCH:
Alexandra Covucci 250 Av. Manuel Montt Providencia Santiago de Chile
(They don't use postal codes...so no, it doesn't have a postal code)
CELL PHONE NUMBER (in case anyone needs to get in touch...I'll include my house phone number when I move there):
Dialing from the US- dial 011-56-962601413 011 = international access 56 = Chile country code 962601413 = my cell
(if anyone tries it and it doesn't work, please let me know)
Keep the hugs flowing :) Send some my way love love love...and more
I still surprise myself when I say "I've been here for three weeks". As of now, it all feels like an oddly long dream, and that any moment I'll wake up and wonder where I am and why my adventure had to end. Although three weeks doesn't sound like much, the time keeps piling on, and pretty soon I'll have been here for more than a month and I'll be fully settled.
Things have been going slow in February. My friend Valerie just arrived two nights ago from her backpacking trip around Ecuador and Peru. She has recently decided to settle in Santiago after meeting some Chileans along the way and after hearing the advice of many other foreigners. Thus, the past two days and the next few have me committed to helping her find a place in the city and get on her feet in Santiago. It'll be nice to have someone familiar right around the corner, and it'll be nice to be able to meet each others friends and open many other doors. It's always good to find new places to meet new people.
When I initially got here, I heard it was nearly impossible to break into the Chilean social circle unless you had an "in". At first, I was skeptical of how difficult it was, but I soon found that meeting young people in the city is nearly impossible unless you either attend school or unless you're of Chilean descent. However, what they told me about the "in" was more or less accurate as well. Somehow along the way I've met a few Chileans in random situations and chance encounters. Suddenly, I was introduced to a boatload of Chileans who are highly curious of why I would ever choose Santiago and/or if I've tried a Pisco Sour, a Piscola, or anything else made with Pisco brandy (they are quite proud of their Pisco). Every time I meet new people, I am amazed at how quickly life can expand and form into something you'd never expect for yourself.
I was having coffee with a friend yesterday, and I got a call from a guy named Pancho who I met the first week I was here through some American friends. I had run into him a few times in the street and he kept saying he wanted to introduce me to some of his Chilean friends, but I shrugged it off thinking that he was far too busy, and that eventually we wouldn't get in touch and we'd both forget to call. However, while I was getting coffee, I got an unexpected call from Pancho and he simply gave me an address and told me to come meet some friends (mom, don't worry it wasn't as sketchy as it sounds...) When I arrived, there were tons of Chileans, tons of music, and tons of meat cooking on the grill. Pancho took me by the hand and introduced me to as many of his friends as he could before informing me that he was the grill "chef" of the night, and that his responsibility was to cooking wonderful meat.
Immediately, I was thrown into a whirlwind of Chilean conversations and questions. It was absolutely wonderful. Everyone was so open-minded and curious about who I was, and we shared stories of who we are and what we like to do. I met so many people who were self proclaimed musicians and poets, and I couldn't believe how much culture there was floating around in this small back yard near the hills. For the rest of the evening we danced, ate beef, and talked until we could all finally understand each other.
It's moments like those that remind me of what I'm doing here and why it's worth all the fears and frustrations that come along with it. It's only been three weeks, and I'm learning how to make new friends in a new country with a new language.
I remember looking up at the sky last night in between conversations and thinking, "if this is a dream, I think I'll sleep a little longer".
I miss you all and I hope things are going well. I think of you all the time. Keep the hugs flowing. Please send some my way. Love. Love. Love.
As I continue to adapt to living in Chile, I have noticed some things about the country that will take quite a bit of getting used to. Aside from the noisy streets that sit right below my balcony and the congested sidewalks that rarely ever clear, I have also noticed that Chile does not have a large selection in the grocery stores. As many of you know, grocery shopping is a pastime that I enjoy quite a bit, and the variety of produce in American grocery stores always had me oddly excited. Over the past two weeks, I have noticed how difficult it is to find some good produce in this country. There is a fairly large produce section, but they only have a few selections. For example, there will be oranges in one area of the produce section, then I'll walk to another part and oranges will be the main fruit over there as well. I guess I simply just miss my apples and sweet potatoes and broccoli. Luckily, there is a market which I frequent as much as possible.
Other than lack of apples and other delicious produce items, things are going fairly well. I've had random interviews and tests in order to get a job teaching English, and I'm still waiting on a place that will secure one for me. Other than that, I've been making some Chilean friends and they've been slowly introducing me to their habits of dinner at 11pm and going out until 6am. So, needless to say, my sleep schedule and food intake have changed fairly dramatically, but it's all part of the experience.
As of now, Chileans have vacation which means a whole lot of nothing for the city. Everyone is relaxing and enjoying a month off until March comes back with a vengeance and people have to resume their normal lives. Therefore, in the interest of being as Chilean as possible for the time being, I've decided to go hardcore with my relaxation and get serious about being part of this country. Though, I must admit that I go stir crazy after awhile if I relax too much and I find myself wandering the streets and ending up at my friends apartment to bother them.
Not much else for now. I hear it's still quite frigid where many of you are, so I hope you're using lots of wool (sweaters, socks, etc.) and packing on the layers. I'll try to fill you in on any interesting things that come my way, though the city will be dead for a little while. As for the produce problem, I'll be heading to the market across town quite a bit, so don't worry too much. :)
Keep the hugs flowing send some to me love love love...
I woke up this morning ready to take on the search of a job to become an English teacher. Luckily, my roommate from England did this about five months ago, so over the past week or so he's given me many tips and pointers of how to go about it. He's given me lists of institutes, advice on which ones to avoid, and quite a few comforting words. So with that, and many copies of my resume, I headed out to go shake some hands and give out my phone number.
Basically, all that is required is that you give a resume and a contact number, and more likely than not someone will call you eventually and offer you a job. I got on the metro at about 8:30am (the busiest time of the morning for the metro) and it was more packed than the subway in Boston after a Red Sox - Yankees game. So, needless to say, no one needs to hold on to anything because you can simply lean on everyone around you, but for those with claustrophobia or those who enjoy their own space, the metro at 8:30am is a nightmare. Luckily, I'm not one who needs my personal space, and the metro was just one big awkward hug for me.
After I got to a certain area of town, I set out on foot and found my way to a list of institutes. One by one, I handed them my resume and explained my situation, and I was greeted quite nicely by each place. After hours of walking the city and trying to hide from the heat in las sombras (the shadows), I finally called it quits for the day. The job hunt, day one, is now over and I feel like I've actually been rather productive instead of sitting on my bum in the heat of Chile. Day two begins tomorrow. There are tons of English Institutes scattered throughout the city, so there is apparently no lack of job opportunities.
Aside from the job hunting, things have been going really well. I feel like I've been here for months, though technically I've been here about a week and a half. Even saying that out loud ("a week and a half") sounds like such little time, and I can't believe I can feel so comfortable in the city and in my surroundings already.
This past week, I met quite a few Chileans and foreigners alike, and I recently decided to move to another house that holds more young people (both Chileans and foreigners) because of the locality and the wonderful vibes that I immediately got when I walked in. In March, I'll be packing my things and moving even closer to the center of town in a house that has large windows, bright colors, and wonderful people. I really lucked out with who I've met so far, since I've recently heard that Chileans from Santiago are some of the hardest people to get to know. Apparently, the culture in Santiago has people mainly conversing with their family and their close friends from school with little room for new people. However, once you meet some and get acquainted they are very hospitable and loving and they will introduce you to many other people. So one by one, I've been introduced to random people and somewhere along the way I found a new apartment.
The heat has been climbing and is now near 94 degrees during the day. It's almost debilitating because you can't do anything but walk around and try to escape it (air conditioning is unheard of here), so most people stay inside somewhere until dusk when things start to cool down. Right now, it's the middle of the day and I'm dreading the outdoors since I just came from the sweltering heat, but I'm heading down to check out an Amnesty International march that one of my friends mentioned to me.
That's pretty much all there is going on here. Heat, jobs, and new friends.
I hope you're all well. I miss you quite a bit because it feels like I've been away for so long. I'll try to send some of the heat your way so you can warm up and we can cool down.
Keep the hugs flowing.
Send some to me (and I'll bring 'em to the metro...)
