Monday, November 19, 2007 My last Monday of class in 2007 and San Expedito

Monday, November 19, 2007 My last Monday of class in 2007 and San Expedito

CIEE office to do evaluations
Turn in Doc Soc paper
Print
Education class- last lecture
Lunch with Christian in the grass- asked to eat just the two of us like before but we sat with a girl in his class. Told me about applying for reality show and interview and call back. Says he is worry about being too famous afterwards. Lol
Biblia class

Took metro home quickly dropped off stuff, had a cup of coffee, checked email, went to catch bus to go to mass at Olga’s church for the mass of San Expedito, the 19th of every month.
San Expedito is the patron saint of urgent cases (expedite). The church was full, literally hundreds of people, on a Monday night. After the homily people came up and told a little story about how Saint Expedito helped them with an illness, find a job etc. Others asked for prayers for their sick loved one etc. It was very beautiful and was a powerful testament to the faith of the people. Obviously it’s not everyone in Chile or Santiago, but the Catholic culture here is strong and many people’s individual faith is powerful.

At the end of the mass they passed out white carnations and everyone walked to the front of the church and placed the flowers in vases at the feet of the statue of the Virgin Mary while singing “Come and we’ll go together with flowers for Mary, our mother”. Then as Olga and I were leaving the church I saw a statue of Saint Teresa of Liseaux, my patron saint. And right next to it was a statute of Saint Joseph with the baby Jesus.

After mass we walked to Olga’s other house and had once with Mario. Olga made churrassco, a very Chilean food. It’s a thin cut of steak grilled with garlic on a big bun with tomato, lettuce, mayo and mustard. It’s basically just a really good burger. I enjoyed being in Olga’s “other world” and they laughed when I said that. Olga said she didn’t want to bring me to the other house because it’s so ugly but I like it. It isn’t the prettiest place. It’s basically the little store out front, a living/dining room, and then a strange hallway/lobby type room with the other rooms attached. Everything is really old and not at all fixed up. It’s strange because it is such a huge contrast to the apartment. But I guess Mario likes it there and it’s kind of his bachelor pad!

We took the bus home a little before 11 pm and I spent a few hours working on my paper for my Poverty class due on Wednesday.