Thursday, November 22, 2007 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Chilean Education. Oh yeah, and its Thanksgiving. I forgot.

Thursday, November 22, 2007 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Chilean Education. Oh yeah, and its Thanksgiving. I forgot.

Today began and ended with the two extremes of education.
I started out my day volunteering at the high school.
The teacher Mabel didn’t show up, so I tried to teach them the numbers. Wanted to kill them. Instead ended up talking about Trevor, showed them photo of us.
Left early (i.e. gave up?), went to mass, almuerzo after mass. Had carrot omelet and refused to talk/think about turkey.

After lunch called Trevor, talked to Taylor for a while
Then called the family in California, had a break down. I’m a goose flying alone.
Talked to everyone. Never been so homesick. Wish I was there, know its worth it that I stayed, but can’t help second guessing my decision. Nice to know they are thinking of me and I love the pictures.

In the evening, went to Miguel’s “guitar concert” which ended up being a 3 hour display of every musical group and theater group in the high school. Long, but well worth it. Gave me hope that there is quality education in Chile. Then I realized this type of education is only for those that can afford it. Oh the vicious cycle.

A few interesting points during the concert
1. there choir director is Cuban and at one point he made a side comment that thanks to God here in Chile he is free and can say what he wants. Ironically it wasn’t long ago that Chile wasn’t free. But it was powerful.
2. They sang Amazing Grace, in English. The teacher made a comment that it was ironic that it was in English!

Enjoyed the evening with my Chilean family. I’ve got so much to be thankful for!
Starving by the end of the concert, Evan had cake, ate some on the bus home!!
Olga made me steak, ate at 11 at night! To celebrate Thanksgiving, I ate the rest of my cake with ice cream! A Delicious Chilean Thanksgiving feast!