Thursday, January 10, 2008 Reflections on Chile
First, I want to thank all of you who read my blog. Many of you spent hours reading and since coming home, it has been wonderful hearing that you enjoyed my adventures. Oh I wish you could have been there to share them with me. A million thanks for spending your precious time reading and for all your love and support while I was away. I often felt homesick, but I never felt lonely because I knew I had amazing family and friends back home waiting to welcome me into their arms. I know at times my blog was tedious, but I am not apologizing. I'm so glad I journaled such details because I now have those memories forever.
I have meant to sit down and do a nice little reflection on my experiences in Chile, but I’ve realized that trying to shove five months of priceless moments, intense emotion (of every kind), and life changing experiences is not only impossible, but almost belittling. I've noticed that when people ask, "How was Chile?” I generally simply respond, "amazing". What else can I say? At times I hated it, at times I loved it. I felt some of my lowest lows and some of my highest highs. I'm not fluent in Spanish, at least by my standards. But apparently I fake it pretty well because the few times I’ve spoke, everyone is impressed.
I definitely miss Olga and my other friends and at many times I find myself wishing they were around so I could speak Spanglish, laugh at our inside jokes, and be just generally inappropriate. But I’m also glad to be back in a community that understands my faith system and encourages me to live out the faith I’ve professed.
Overall, I take home from Chile the general understanding that I have no idea who I am or what I want. At first that was scary, but I’m slowly becoming accustomed to the idea that I really must depend fully on God, who ultimately will provide. I don't know how or when or where, but all I have to do is keep loving and growing in Him and everything will be fine. Just like my revelation on top of Machu Picchu, "I'm going to be just fine."
Friday, January 11, 2008
What I’m going to echar de menos:
Here is the list I made on the plane ride home of things I would miss Post-Chile. Please excuse the Spanglish (mix of English and Spanish). That is the beauty of the list.
What I’m going to echar de menos:
Fruit y GOLD y cafecito con Olga in the mornings
Pan de la palabra before every meal
Time to think on the metro
Living IN the city
Food vendors every 50 yards
Not seeing/hearing English
Mass at San Joaquin, San Ignacio y San Lazaro
Packed lunch
Hour long almuerzos
Sitting in and working on my computer
Olga “?Tienes hambre?” Me, “No” and 5 minutes later brings me fresh strawberries
Ensaladas con limon y sal
Daily profound revelations por Olga at the dinner table
Getting nervous/excited to speak Spanish on the phone
18 year old drinking age
Not worrying about what to wear or that I have love handles
Si po, ? Gachi hueron?
Cold nights and always needing un chaleco
Constant traveling
Big Time gum
Having my laundry clean, room picked up, bed made, food cooked and dishes done
Olga
Spanglish
Getting excited to overhear a conversation on the metro
Being called Luli
Being Gringa
Having 4 classes, all liberal arts and no labs
Alejandro, Marie, Maria Elena, Nivaldo, Victor, Carlos at Nuestra Casa
Having family in the far corner of the globe
Appreciating good communication
Phonetic spelling
Being fascinated by something new everyday
Carette
TurBus, especialmente SemiCama
Monedas
Vivir tan cerca a la Moneda
Plaza de Armas
Bravisimo
Being ok with just listening
Being ok with no gacho nada
Picking experience over homework
Parque O’Higgins
4 day weekends
Having someone to check all my papers, CriCri
Manjar
Nescafe en cualquier y cada minuto
Metro on gamedays
Running out of minutes on my pre-paid phone
Taking a number everywhere
ALWAYS getting a receipt
No toilet paper = always an adventure
80s music
Ron cola
Olga’s “You’ve been out all night, welcome home” hug and giggle
Unexpected horribly racist comments and no such thing as PC
Tarjeta BIP!
What I’m going to echar de menos:
Fruit y GOLD y cafecito con Olga in the mornings
Pan de la palabra before every meal
Time to think on the metro
Living IN the city
Food vendors every 50 yards
Not seeing/hearing English
Mass at San Joaquin, San Ignacio y San Lazaro
Packed lunch
Hour long almuerzos
Sitting in and working on my computer
Olga “?Tienes hambre?” Me, “No” and 5 minutes later brings me fresh strawberries
Ensaladas con limon y sal
Daily profound revelations por Olga at the dinner table
Getting nervous/excited to speak Spanish on the phone
18 year old drinking age
Not worrying about what to wear or that I have love handles
Si po, ? Gachi hueron?
Cold nights and always needing un chaleco
Constant traveling
Big Time gum
Having my laundry clean, room picked up, bed made, food cooked and dishes done
Olga
Spanglish
Getting excited to overhear a conversation on the metro
Being called Luli
Being Gringa
Having 4 classes, all liberal arts and no labs
Alejandro, Marie, Maria Elena, Nivaldo, Victor, Carlos at Nuestra Casa
Having family in the far corner of the globe
Appreciating good communication
Phonetic spelling
Being fascinated by something new everyday
Carette
TurBus, especialmente SemiCama
Monedas
Vivir tan cerca a la Moneda
Plaza de Armas
Bravisimo
Being ok with just listening
Being ok with no gacho nada
Picking experience over homework
Parque O’Higgins
4 day weekends
Having someone to check all my papers, CriCri
Manjar
Nescafe en cualquier y cada minuto
Metro on gamedays
Running out of minutes on my pre-paid phone
Taking a number everywhere
ALWAYS getting a receipt
No toilet paper = always an adventure
80s music
Ron cola
Olga’s “You’ve been out all night, welcome home” hug and giggle
Unexpected horribly racist comments and no such thing as PC
Tarjeta BIP!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 Se acabó
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 Se acabó
Wow, my last day in Chile. I woke up early because I still had way too much packing to do and errands to run. Olga was out running errands so I waited till she got home to eat breakfast. She was so happy that I hadn’t eaten and when we sat down over our traditional cup of cereal, plate of fruit and cup of coffee, we reminisced about the many meals and hours we had shared together over this table. After eating our last meal alone, I headed over to campus to pick up my tests and papers from my Education class and to drop off another bag of clothes I wanted to donate/couldn’t pack. Then I stopped by a Christian bookstore to buy a beautiful silver crucifix to add to my collection. Walking home, I realized it would be my last time to walk the streets of Santiago, so I savored every sight, sound and smell. I then had a few hours back home to finish packing before Rino, Ivonne, Miguel and Mario came over for lunch. We were celebrating Miguel’s seventh birthday, which unluckily for him, happened to be on the same day as my departure.
I frantically bustled about because as always, it took way longer than I’d planned. Olga quietly cooked the famous Chilean delicacy Lomo a la Pobre, grilled steak, sautéed onions, French fries and fried eggs. A.k.a. heart attack on a plate. But a ridiculously delicious heart attack. Throughout the day, I would go into the kitchen to see how she was doing and give her a big hug. I could tell she was on the verge of tears and one time we both broke down crying.
By the time everyone showed up, I still had a little packing to do and my eyes were red and dry. We ate lunch quietly but happily, trying to be excited for Miguel’s birthday. Olga kept saying how she had cooked better Lomo before and it wasn’t very good. We tried to tell her it was delicious, but I could tell it was hard for her to cook what she knew would be my last meal. After stuffing ourselves, the adults napped and I played computer games with Miguel. Then while he played, I wrote Olga a letter telling her how much I loved her, appreciated everything she’d done for me and how much I’d miss her. I left the note on her bedside table, knowing I wouldn’t be able to give it to her while I was still there.
When I’d finished packing and taking everything done everything off the walls, I moved my two huge bags out into the living room. Then I packed up my cell phone into the box for Olga to give to Miguel for his birthday. About half an hour before we needed to leave for the airport Olga set out feast number two, which was supposed to be once but since everyone was still so stuffed from lunch we didn’t eat anything. But we celebrated Miguel’s birthday with singing, birthday presents, and a delicious Manjar cake with candles. We also managed to take a picture of all of us with my camera. The cake was delicious and a great last taste of the wonders of Chile! I also gave Olga the toaster I bought her for Christmas and she was quite tickled. Finally, the unavoidable hour game for us to leave for the airport. Everyone else went to pack up the car and Olga helped me check the house to make sure I had everything. Once we could think of no more reasons to delay the inevitable, Olga held my hand as I shut the door to my room. At that moment, I simply lost it. I broke down crying in her arms, thinking of all the memories and experiences I’d had the past five months in that room. Olga and I walked down to the car and we all piled in. In the car Ivvane gave me a small box with a bow on it and a small piece of paper with a note written on it about a boy who gave his father an empty box and told him it was a box of kisses. At this, we all busted out crying. We rode a good 15 minutes crying and all holding hands, with Miguel on Ivvone’s lap.
We got to the airport and once I got through the check out line (during which I had to take out 6 pounds from one pack to avoid the over weight charges). I had about 20 minutes before I needed to pass through customs. So I said my slow goodbyes to everyone. Eventually I decided it was time to go and after giving my last hug goodbye to Olga, I passed through the doors waving goodbye to my beloved Chilean family.
I passed through customs and told them that my wallet had been stolen and I’d lost my Chilean ID card. I was supposed to turn it in but I wanted to keep it as a souvenir. I think the guy knew I was lying, but I was obviously shook up and my Spanish wasn’t its best so just told me to go ahead. While waiting I found a few other kids from my program and we waited together, comparing our sad goodbye stories. Finally we were able to bored the plane and I sat at the window next to a Chinese man. I sat down and started journaling and writing down my thoughts, a thousand miles a minute. As soon as the plane’s wheels were off the ground I once again broke down crying. I watched the night lights of Santiago fade off into the distance, but not before I followed the main streets to find the apartment. Eventually I calmed down and sent the next 9 hours on the flight home thinking about my experiences; what I’d learned, who I’d met, what I’d struggled with, and where I’d grown. I made a list of all the things I’d miss in Chile, which grew to be quite long. I unfortunately watched Hairspray on the plane, and then tried to fall asleep as I grew farther and farther from my old home in Chile and closer and closer to my old/new home in the United States.
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 More Goodbyes, to the office and to Nuestra Casa
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 More Goodbyes, to the office and to Nuestra Casa
Woke up at 10 am, breakfast with everyone, goodbye to Christan and his parents
To the office to pick up the rest of the donations, called Olga told her not to worry, went to noon mass at San Ignacio
After mass was praying and had a breakdown. Man who works there came to console me, brought me a glass of water, bawled into his arms, talked to him about my unpreparadness to leave, my fear of going home, my confusion of who I am now, what I want in life.
Tunic of San Padre Alberto Hurtado
Lunch with Olga, took taxi to Nuestra Casa to drop off donated clothes and say goodbye.
Alejandro walked me to the metro, cried when he said goodbye
Met up with Courtney to go to the Museum of Bellas Artes, the Fine Arts Museum. We spent two hours walking through the beautiful exhibits until the security guard kicked us out. Then we went to Bravisimo again and shared a delicious ice cream cup. Then we walked to meet up with our group of gringo friends. We walked to Bella Vista and shared a few pitchers and a chorriana. It was getting late and we wanted to take the metro back before it closed, so we walked back together, while I slowly realized it would be the last time I saw most of them. I sadly said goodbye to all of them, the hardest of all being Courtney.
Brandon, Calli and I walked together to Calli house so I could pick up the alfajores I ordered from Calli’s mom. After a short visit with her parents, I said goodbye and took a cab home.
Woke up at 10 am, breakfast with everyone, goodbye to Christan and his parents
To the office to pick up the rest of the donations, called Olga told her not to worry, went to noon mass at San Ignacio
After mass was praying and had a breakdown. Man who works there came to console me, brought me a glass of water, bawled into his arms, talked to him about my unpreparadness to leave, my fear of going home, my confusion of who I am now, what I want in life.
Tunic of San Padre Alberto Hurtado
Lunch with Olga, took taxi to Nuestra Casa to drop off donated clothes and say goodbye.
Alejandro walked me to the metro, cried when he said goodbye
Met up with Courtney to go to the Museum of Bellas Artes, the Fine Arts Museum. We spent two hours walking through the beautiful exhibits until the security guard kicked us out. Then we went to Bravisimo again and shared a delicious ice cream cup. Then we walked to meet up with our group of gringo friends. We walked to Bella Vista and shared a few pitchers and a chorriana. It was getting late and we wanted to take the metro back before it closed, so we walked back together, while I slowly realized it would be the last time I saw most of them. I sadly said goodbye to all of them, the hardest of all being Courtney.
Brandon, Calli and I walked together to Calli house so I could pick up the alfajores I ordered from Calli’s mom. After a short visit with her parents, I said goodbye and took a cab home.
Monday, December 10th, 2007 Bellas Artes, Fiesta de Despedida
Monday, December 10th, 2007 Bellas Artes, Fiesta de Despedida
So nearing the end of my 5 months in Chile, I realized I didn’t have much time left to do some of the things I’d wanted to do in Santiago. Its amazing the power of the mentality of “I’ve got time, I’ll go later”. So many of us say that everyday and never do what we’ve always wanted to do. And before we know it, we are out of time and can’t do it all. So with my few days left I swore to do everything I’d wanted to do. But first I needed to take care of some obligations. So I printed off my investigation for my Poverty class and a few photos of my friends at Nuestra Casa that I’d promised them. Then I took the bus to the CIEE office to drop off the paper, say goodbye to everyone and pick up some of the clothes people had donated. I took a few bags and instead of taking the bus home, I walked to the National Library. I’d wanted to see inside, so I passed through quickly; just enough to satisfy my curiosity. Then I walked to the Hites, the huge Dillards/Sears/Mall store that sells everything. On my way I passed by a Mote con Huesillo stand, the super popular summer drink of cold apricot juice, mote (a chewy oatmeal like grain) and a whole apricot. Knowing it was one of my last chances to take advantage of the delicious treat, I stopped and bought one. Then I went to Hites and picked out a nice new Toaster to replace Olga’s toaster that broke a few months ago. Finally I jumped on a bus home with arm full of gifts for my loved ones in Chile.
Olga had lunch ready when I got home and after eating we headed out to Rino’s house. When we got there I helped Miguel set up their Christmas tree. Words can’t describe the tree, so when I get my pictures loaded, I’ll post a picture. It was definitely a Charlie Brown tree, but it looked good when we finished and Miguel was very proud. When Rino got home we set up the Santa Clause climbing up a ladder outside their window.
Meet Courtney and Christian at Metro
Shopping
Everyone over
3 am cops come by because of the noise. No body allowed to leave.
Lay out mattresses, everyone crashes on the floor
So nearing the end of my 5 months in Chile, I realized I didn’t have much time left to do some of the things I’d wanted to do in Santiago. Its amazing the power of the mentality of “I’ve got time, I’ll go later”. So many of us say that everyday and never do what we’ve always wanted to do. And before we know it, we are out of time and can’t do it all. So with my few days left I swore to do everything I’d wanted to do. But first I needed to take care of some obligations. So I printed off my investigation for my Poverty class and a few photos of my friends at Nuestra Casa that I’d promised them. Then I took the bus to the CIEE office to drop off the paper, say goodbye to everyone and pick up some of the clothes people had donated. I took a few bags and instead of taking the bus home, I walked to the National Library. I’d wanted to see inside, so I passed through quickly; just enough to satisfy my curiosity. Then I walked to the Hites, the huge Dillards/Sears/Mall store that sells everything. On my way I passed by a Mote con Huesillo stand, the super popular summer drink of cold apricot juice, mote (a chewy oatmeal like grain) and a whole apricot. Knowing it was one of my last chances to take advantage of the delicious treat, I stopped and bought one. Then I went to Hites and picked out a nice new Toaster to replace Olga’s toaster that broke a few months ago. Finally I jumped on a bus home with arm full of gifts for my loved ones in Chile.
Olga had lunch ready when I got home and after eating we headed out to Rino’s house. When we got there I helped Miguel set up their Christmas tree. Words can’t describe the tree, so when I get my pictures loaded, I’ll post a picture. It was definitely a Charlie Brown tree, but it looked good when we finished and Miguel was very proud. When Rino got home we set up the Santa Clause climbing up a ladder outside their window.
Meet Courtney and Christian at Metro
Shopping
Everyone over
3 am cops come by because of the noise. No body allowed to leave.
Lay out mattresses, everyone crashes on the floor
Sunday, December 9th, 2007 Day at the Beach with Courtney
Sunday, December 9th, 2007 Day at the Beach with Courtney
I woke up early and headed to the bus stop to go hang out with Courtney in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. She and I had planned on spending the day at the beach since November, so I was excited to go. I met Courtney in Valparaiso and we spent a while walking through the Sunday market. We both bought soccer jerseys and some delicious candies to share while we shopped. Then we took a bus over to Viña del Mar, the beach town on the other side of the bay. We walked around of a while and then found a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Don’t ask why, but we’d both wanted Chinese food, which is known for being good in Chile. After a yummy lunch, we walked along the beach until we found a nice spot to camp out for the day. We spent the afternoon laying on the beach even though it was pretty cloudy. After a while the clouds cleared and the sun shone through. Courtney, in her usual amazing, fun spirit asked if I wanted to go swim and we spent almost half an hour diving through and getting totally manhandled by the huge waves. I think the Chileans were giving us weird looks; the two gringas must have looked silly diving through the waves with the little Chilean kids.
When we’d gotten enough of the waves, sand and sun, we packed up and went to our beloved Bravisimo, the delicious ice cream shop that Courtney and I can’t pass up when we are together. We shared a fancy brownie Sunday sitting in the park. Then we took a bus back to Valparaiso. We got our bus tickets back to Santiago and headed home.
Olga welcomed me home and we had dinner together. Again I had a relaxing night at home and spent more time packing and getting ready to go home.
I woke up early and headed to the bus stop to go hang out with Courtney in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. She and I had planned on spending the day at the beach since November, so I was excited to go. I met Courtney in Valparaiso and we spent a while walking through the Sunday market. We both bought soccer jerseys and some delicious candies to share while we shopped. Then we took a bus over to Viña del Mar, the beach town on the other side of the bay. We walked around of a while and then found a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Don’t ask why, but we’d both wanted Chinese food, which is known for being good in Chile. After a yummy lunch, we walked along the beach until we found a nice spot to camp out for the day. We spent the afternoon laying on the beach even though it was pretty cloudy. After a while the clouds cleared and the sun shone through. Courtney, in her usual amazing, fun spirit asked if I wanted to go swim and we spent almost half an hour diving through and getting totally manhandled by the huge waves. I think the Chileans were giving us weird looks; the two gringas must have looked silly diving through the waves with the little Chilean kids.
When we’d gotten enough of the waves, sand and sun, we packed up and went to our beloved Bravisimo, the delicious ice cream shop that Courtney and I can’t pass up when we are together. We shared a fancy brownie Sunday sitting in the park. Then we took a bus back to Valparaiso. We got our bus tickets back to Santiago and headed home.
Olga welcomed me home and we had dinner together. Again I had a relaxing night at home and spent more time packing and getting ready to go home.
Saturday, December 8th, 2007 Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Cerro San Cristobal
Saturday, December 8th, 2007 Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Cerro San Cristobal
Woke up around 7 am, ate breakfast with Olga and we headed out together to Cerro San Cristobal. We hiked up in about one hour and got there around 11 am. We waited in line about 1 hour before we could enter into the chapel. Inside we were led in prayer by a few nuns and after a few short minutes we were escorted out for the next group. We waited for the next mass to finish by the side and when the Bishop saying the mass walked out, Olga asked the Bishop to bless the scapular that she had just bought me in the chapel on the hill. The Bishop was very sweet and said a short blessing, which absolutely thrilled Olga.
We found a seat for mass and it was a beautiful service. After mass we walked a short way down the hill and found a grassy hill looking over the city and ate the lunch we had packed for ourselves. Then we walked all the way back down the hill and instead of heading home, we spent the afternoon walking through the city running errands and buying last minute things I needed before heading home. We also stopped by to visit a long time friend of Olga’s. Her friend lives alone in a small but nice apartment in the heart of downtown. For the first time I had mate, the popular Argentinean tea like drink. It’s hot water, sugar, and mate, a flavorful herb that they put in the cup and sip out the water with a straw with a filter at the bottom. Afterwards we walked through the clothes market looking for outfits for Miguel for his birthday, a cute “Chilean” shirt for me, and a small Chile soccer jersey for my cousin Brendan for Christmas. We went all over but didn’t find anything we were thrilled about. Right when we were about to give up on the jersey, we stopped by a small kiosk that happened to have one more, small, Chilean jersey for the right price. It was absolutely perfect. Then we went to the grocery store and finally headed home.
I was exhausted when we finally got back, but I loved the time with Olga. In the evening Calli came over and we watched a Chilean movie called Casa de Remolienda, drank wine, and ate chocolate covered strawberries!
Woke up around 7 am, ate breakfast with Olga and we headed out together to Cerro San Cristobal. We hiked up in about one hour and got there around 11 am. We waited in line about 1 hour before we could enter into the chapel. Inside we were led in prayer by a few nuns and after a few short minutes we were escorted out for the next group. We waited for the next mass to finish by the side and when the Bishop saying the mass walked out, Olga asked the Bishop to bless the scapular that she had just bought me in the chapel on the hill. The Bishop was very sweet and said a short blessing, which absolutely thrilled Olga.
We found a seat for mass and it was a beautiful service. After mass we walked a short way down the hill and found a grassy hill looking over the city and ate the lunch we had packed for ourselves. Then we walked all the way back down the hill and instead of heading home, we spent the afternoon walking through the city running errands and buying last minute things I needed before heading home. We also stopped by to visit a long time friend of Olga’s. Her friend lives alone in a small but nice apartment in the heart of downtown. For the first time I had mate, the popular Argentinean tea like drink. It’s hot water, sugar, and mate, a flavorful herb that they put in the cup and sip out the water with a straw with a filter at the bottom. Afterwards we walked through the clothes market looking for outfits for Miguel for his birthday, a cute “Chilean” shirt for me, and a small Chile soccer jersey for my cousin Brendan for Christmas. We went all over but didn’t find anything we were thrilled about. Right when we were about to give up on the jersey, we stopped by a small kiosk that happened to have one more, small, Chilean jersey for the right price. It was absolutely perfect. Then we went to the grocery store and finally headed home.
I was exhausted when we finally got back, but I loved the time with Olga. In the evening Calli came over and we watched a Chilean movie called Casa de Remolienda, drank wine, and ate chocolate covered strawberries!
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