Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Many lasts and the beginning of my reflections of my time abroad
I went to campus early to meet with Jaclyn and two of her classmates in her Latin American studies class to do an interview. They are doing a project on the perspectives of exchange students on Chilean culture and Jaclyn asked me to be one of the interviews. They asked me:
· Why I chose to come to Santiago: I wanted to go to Latin America; my options were Buenos Aires, Valparaiso, or Santiago. I wanted to live in a big city, and without friends from school (14 Tulane students went to Buenos Aires) and I was told Santiago had great universities. Basically, I wanted something unique (not Spain, not Argentina). I’d never met anyone from Chile or anyone who’d been to Chile and I didn’t know anything about it, so why not!
· What I liked about Chilean culture: close knit families, strong Catholic community, like to dance Salsa and merenguie
· What I didn’t like: that they are timid/not very outgoing, that they don’t speak Spanish, but rather Chilean and many don’t have patience with foreign speakers, PDA (Public Display of Affection) every where, chauvism (sp?), the fact that kids live with their parents until they get married and never have time to develop their individual identity (That is a very USA perspective on individual identity and I acknowledged that. Its hard to say I like that the families are close then turn around and say I don’t like that they are so close, but its two sides of the same coin. As I’ve definitely learned, not everything is black and white. There are pros and cons to every aspect of society.)
· What I like about Chile as a country: the diversity of the landscape, that everywhere is beautiful yet incredibly different
· If I would ever come back to Chile: I said only for vacation, not to live. But if I were going to live in Chile I’d want to live in the south.
· Why I wouldn’t live in Santiago: I told them it was more of a reflection of the fact that I realized I never want to live in such a huge city. I don’t like the smog, the noise, the constant closeness to millions of people, lack of free space to run around, etc.
· If I regretted coming to Chile: At first that was a tough question. I told them that after going to Buenos Aires and Mendoza in Argentina, part of me wished I’d studied there. It would have been easier to learn Spanish because I can actually understand them and they can understand me, but also that it is more diverse, better food, more culture, and really really cheap. But I’m glad I can to Chile for the challenges it provided me. If I can speak Chilean Spanish, I can speak any kind of Spanish. I can survive in a big city. I can be ok with being really (and very obviously) different. Plus the friendships I’ve formed (with my friends in the program, with my Chilean friends and with Olga) are absolutely priceless and I wouldn’t change them for anything.
· I concluded the interview by saying that overall, I’ve realized the biggest struggle for me has been the language barrier. I said it’s really hard to fully understand a culture, really get to know people and really express your true personally if you can’t handle the language perfectly. It becomes a huge barrier in everything and makes everything 1. more challenging and 2. less clear. I’ve realized that some of the things I don’t like about Chile may be because I don’t fully understand them. I’ve realized the absolute importance of language as a way to view the world and to define who you are and how you interact with others. Communication is a struggle with in monolingual relationships (of all types, not just romantic relationships) so image how difficult it would be to truly communicate if you don’t perfectly speak the same language. I lose a lot of my personality in Spanish and for that, I often find myself frustrated. But it’s not a reflection of Chile, nor Santiago, nor Chilean people, but upon myself and the universal challenge of communication.
As you can see, the interview probably helped me more that it helped them. I realized how important it is for me to truly reflect on my experiences over the last 4.5 months. I’m going home soon and I don’t want to show up with a false view of what I’ve experienced. I’m not going to say neither that Chile has been absolutely amazing nor that I didn’t like it. Its definitely somewhere in the middle. But more importantly, I’m leaving Chile with a completely different view of myself, the world, my relationships, etc. I am a completely different person and most of the changes I haven’t even realized yet.
Wow, that was deep. Back to my day, which was much less profound than it seems! After the interview I went to my last Doctrina Social class. Then I went to my last mass at the chapel on campus. Then I went to my last Education class, where I may have failed the test. It was a lot harder than I’d thought it would be, mostly just because it was really really long. Oh well, I know I passed the class, so that is all that matters!
After the test I ate lunch with Christian for the last time. We ate just the two of us like before and before I headed out I signed the two posters I’d given him for his birthday (back in September!). I made him leave so I could write him the note. But he wanted me to write in English, so I had to think really hard!
After lunch I took the metro to my last Biblia class. Ironically, I understood the professor better today than any other day all semester. It was kind of encouraging to see that I’d improved so much that I could actually understand him and I only wish I’d caught on earlier. I realized that even with the amount I learned and grew because of that class, it could have been much more if I’d understood 100% and had been able to participate more fully (i.e. talk) in class discussions. At the end of class I had to say goodbye to the friends I’d made in the class, which was the first goodbyes I’d said. While we were talking, I had my first natural “Si, po”, which is a huge sign that I’m picking up the language. (“po” is natural filler that all Chileans use. It sounds very strange if you aren’t used to it, but they say it naturally and in all types of conversations. So it was a big deal for me to use it without thinking. I got really excited and they all laughed and congratulated me! Anyway, it was sad to say goodbye and to think I will most likely never see them again.
Finally, I went to my last Poverty class. Today was our second “Round Table” discussion about our essays. We just sat around and chatted about the different things we’d observed and experienced in our respective volunteer jobs. We talked about the complexity of poverty and why it is so difficult of change the system. After class, the 8 gringos and our professor Hector (also our program director) took cabs to a restaurant called “Rincon de las Canallas” or “Scumbags Corner” (loosely translated). This was a bar/restaurant that during the dictatorship and curfew was illegally open every night. It became the meeting place for many socialists (i.e. the scumbags) who were hiding from the military police. The restaurant had (and still has) a big metal door with a peep whole and to enter you needed (and still “need”) the password. Only the owner opens the door and greets you with a huge smile and big handshake. Inside looks just like many of the restaurants in New Orleans. The walls are covered with notes from clients, signed photos of famous people, news paper clippings, subversive posters and signs, etc. I felt more “at home” in this restaurant then I had in any other place in Chile!! It was like being right back in NOLA!! During dinner the owner came and told us the well rehearsed history of the restaurant and you could tell that despite his age, he was full of energy and love for the place. It had been burnt down twice, closed by the military once, they’d all been sent to jail numerous times for “illegal selling of alcohol” and being out passed curfew. And all in the name of breaking the rules! I mean: All in the name of freedom!
We spent the evening eating, drinking, reminiscing, and occasionally watching Chile lose to Paraguay in soccer in the background. Hector bought all the drinks, which are specialties of the house. One was borbogoñia, a sweet wine mix with chiramoya (a sweet, white fruit). The other was the infamous Terremotto (earthquake in Spanish). A Terremotto is white wine with ferrnet (a bitter Argentinean liquor), strawberries (or pineapple), and pineapple ice cream on top. The combination is incredibly sweet and delicious and deceiving dangerous. Every Chilean has a hilarious story about “a friend” who got smashed off of terrremottos because you don’t realize home much you are drinking. Luckily there were a lot of us and we were there for over 3 hours. Plus we ordered a dinner for 4 which fed all nine of us. (That tells you something). It was a HUGE, delicious platter of all kinds of meat and the perfect meal to accompany the evening.
When Chile lost 3-0, all the drinks were gone, then finally after-dinner aperativos on the house, we all realized that it was a Wednesday night, we headed out. We walked to Alameda (the main avenue that runs right by the apartment) and since we were only about 4 blocks away, I walked home. Olga laughed when I told her where we’d been but said she was sure we’d had a good time. I immediately went to bed since I had to wake up at 6:30 am to go volunteer at the high school for the last time.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 I’m here in Chile and not at the family reunion for a reason. I just need to keep reminding myself that.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 I’m here in Chile and not at the family reunion for a reason. I just need to keep reminding myself that.
I slept in till about 10:30 and spent the morning working on my paper. I went to mass at noon at the Jesuit church nearby and had almuerzo with Olga after. At 3 I walked to Nuestra Casa, where Patricio, Alejandro, Nicole and Angelica were all outside working on two mosaics outside the door. One side is says Nuestra Casa with the logo and the other side says “Community Center Trampoline”. They invited me to help and I ended up finishing the “Community Center” with blue letters and a white background. Victor, a 28 year old goof ball, helped me by holding the tile pieces while asking me about my family etc. When I told him I have an older sister that studies nursing and that we look a lot alike, he decided he was going to move to the US and marry Sara. He was spent the rest of the afternoon talking about my sister the nurse and how she can teach him English and take care of her. It was actually hilarious and everyone got a kick out of it.
Around five I cleaned the cement of my pruny hands and we did the drugs and alcohol presentation. More people came than ever before (I think there were about 7, plus Lorin and another volunteer). During the presentation I realized they know more than I do about the subject (obviously) and I felt like it was kind of a flop. But at the end Nivaldo, who is only 21 years old, started talking about his therapy that he is in with Hogar de Cristo (the huge Catholic service organization started by Saint Alberto Hurtado in the 70s). Talked about how he started drinking when he became homeless when he was 16 because the older men he lived/worked with encouraged him to drink. He was an alcoholic for 4 years and 4 months ago started the therapy. It’s once a week and he says he hasn’t drank since. All the money he used to spend on alcohol he now uses to buy food and take care of himself. I realized that even if they didn’t get anything out of the presentation, at least it opened up a little bit of dialogue about the possibility of therapy and rehabilitation and maybe planted a seed to encourage some of them to quit or seek help.
After the presentation Lorin did her little English class. She taught them how to say the basic conversational things: what’s your name, where are you from, how old are you, what do you like to do, my name is…, I’m from… , I am …years old, I like to… It was fun to hear them pronounce it all and even though they probably don’t remember anything, they definitely enjoyed it. Afterwards we hung out for a while then walked back.
Tuesday night Jaclyn and Nick, my two gringo friends in my Education class came over to study for our test the next day. I literally hadn’t studied at all because I’m taking the class pass fail and I’d gotten better grades than I’d expected before hand. So they got to the apartment around 9:30 and Olga made food for all of us (of course a mini-feast) and we chatted and ate until almost 11! Jaclyn has been in Chile a whole year and has been dating a Chilean almost the whole time and they are in love. So she was telling us about how he is trying to get a tourist visa to come visit her over their summer (from Dec. to March). But apparently it is almost impossible to get a tourist visa for young men without resources because they assume you are going to stay illegally and work. But they are both strong Christians and decided that if he gets the visa and can travel, they will stay together. If not, they are taking it as a sign from God that they aren’t supposed to be together and they are going to end it. It was sad to hear Jaclyn talk about it because it’s obvious they really love each other, but she seems to have a good perspective on it. On the other hand Nick has been dating a 30 year old Chilean (yes, 10 years his elder) the past 4 months but he has no intention of staying with her when he leaves. Olga had lots of advice for the both of them and all four of us spent the time cracking up. She really is hilarious and all my friends love her.
So at 11 we finally started studying but it was really more of a conversation about the quality of the class. Our teacher is super Catholic and she can tend to be a little preachy in class, which Nick doesn’t really like. We talked about her Sexual Education theory (obviously, abstinence only, but more controversially her strong opinions on gender roles and the distinct roles of a mother vs. a father in raising their children). Anyway, they left around 12:30 to take a bus home and I went to finish my poverty paper. So in all, I studied about 2 hours of the test. Oh well!
I slept in till about 10:30 and spent the morning working on my paper. I went to mass at noon at the Jesuit church nearby and had almuerzo with Olga after. At 3 I walked to Nuestra Casa, where Patricio, Alejandro, Nicole and Angelica were all outside working on two mosaics outside the door. One side is says Nuestra Casa with the logo and the other side says “Community Center Trampoline”. They invited me to help and I ended up finishing the “Community Center” with blue letters and a white background. Victor, a 28 year old goof ball, helped me by holding the tile pieces while asking me about my family etc. When I told him I have an older sister that studies nursing and that we look a lot alike, he decided he was going to move to the US and marry Sara. He was spent the rest of the afternoon talking about my sister the nurse and how she can teach him English and take care of her. It was actually hilarious and everyone got a kick out of it.
Around five I cleaned the cement of my pruny hands and we did the drugs and alcohol presentation. More people came than ever before (I think there were about 7, plus Lorin and another volunteer). During the presentation I realized they know more than I do about the subject (obviously) and I felt like it was kind of a flop. But at the end Nivaldo, who is only 21 years old, started talking about his therapy that he is in with Hogar de Cristo (the huge Catholic service organization started by Saint Alberto Hurtado in the 70s). Talked about how he started drinking when he became homeless when he was 16 because the older men he lived/worked with encouraged him to drink. He was an alcoholic for 4 years and 4 months ago started the therapy. It’s once a week and he says he hasn’t drank since. All the money he used to spend on alcohol he now uses to buy food and take care of himself. I realized that even if they didn’t get anything out of the presentation, at least it opened up a little bit of dialogue about the possibility of therapy and rehabilitation and maybe planted a seed to encourage some of them to quit or seek help.
After the presentation Lorin did her little English class. She taught them how to say the basic conversational things: what’s your name, where are you from, how old are you, what do you like to do, my name is…, I’m from… , I am …years old, I like to… It was fun to hear them pronounce it all and even though they probably don’t remember anything, they definitely enjoyed it. Afterwards we hung out for a while then walked back.
Tuesday night Jaclyn and Nick, my two gringo friends in my Education class came over to study for our test the next day. I literally hadn’t studied at all because I’m taking the class pass fail and I’d gotten better grades than I’d expected before hand. So they got to the apartment around 9:30 and Olga made food for all of us (of course a mini-feast) and we chatted and ate until almost 11! Jaclyn has been in Chile a whole year and has been dating a Chilean almost the whole time and they are in love. So she was telling us about how he is trying to get a tourist visa to come visit her over their summer (from Dec. to March). But apparently it is almost impossible to get a tourist visa for young men without resources because they assume you are going to stay illegally and work. But they are both strong Christians and decided that if he gets the visa and can travel, they will stay together. If not, they are taking it as a sign from God that they aren’t supposed to be together and they are going to end it. It was sad to hear Jaclyn talk about it because it’s obvious they really love each other, but she seems to have a good perspective on it. On the other hand Nick has been dating a 30 year old Chilean (yes, 10 years his elder) the past 4 months but he has no intention of staying with her when he leaves. Olga had lots of advice for the both of them and all four of us spent the time cracking up. She really is hilarious and all my friends love her.
So at 11 we finally started studying but it was really more of a conversation about the quality of the class. Our teacher is super Catholic and she can tend to be a little preachy in class, which Nick doesn’t really like. We talked about her Sexual Education theory (obviously, abstinence only, but more controversially her strong opinions on gender roles and the distinct roles of a mother vs. a father in raising their children). Anyway, they left around 12:30 to take a bus home and I went to finish my poverty paper. So in all, I studied about 2 hours of the test. Oh well!
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.
CIEE office to do evaluations
Turn in Doc Soc paper
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.
Sunday, November 18, 2007 No really, do some homework.
Sunday, November 18, 2007 No really, do some homework.
Despite going to bed relatively early last night (1:30 on a Saturday!), I still managed to sleep until 11:40 this morning. It’s a good thing I woke up because I was planning on going to mass at noon. So I quickly got dressed and walked to church. After mass I showed Olga how to cook Corn on the Cob in the oven (with butter, salt and garlic!) which she had never done it before. They turned out delicious and swore that from now on this is the only way she will cook Corn on the Cob!
After lunch I work for about 20 minutes before Natalie came over and we walked together to Parque O’Higgins (where I go running). Her host mom and told her there was a huge concert going on in the park and she really wanted to check it out. But when we got there it was just a normal day in Parque O’Higgins: tons of families, picnics, paddle boats, kites, vendors, and everything else that makes parks lovely. But Courtney had just gotten on a bus to meet up with us to go to the concert (whoops), so we meandered around the park while waiting for Courtney. When she got there we walked around Republica, the University neighborhood right outside the park (and where Natalie lives).
It was really really hot and like all good Chileans, we decided we needed ice cream. So we ended up going to Fillippos, the place I had ice cream at last night with Sara! But honestly, it’s just that good. Courtney and I couldn’t decide between two flavors so we each got one and switched cones half way through. That is a sign of true friendship!! After ice cream we went to Natalie’s house to say hello to her host mom Nora. After a short visit I walked Courtney back to the bus stop then I walked home. Olga just laughed when I told her we’d gotten ice cream (again).
I spent the evening “starting” my essay for my Poverty class but still managing to spend a lot of my time avoiding my homework. Around 8 pm I got a phone call from a random guy who from in my Education class that I hadn’t seen or talked to since the very beginning of the semester. We did an in class project together and I guess I gave him my number. In any case, he waited over 3 months to call me to invite me to a party at his house tonight. (Yes, a Sunday night). I graciously declined, telling him I had a lot of work to do and reminded him about our big project due tomorrow. He had no idea it was due and said he’d get right on it. Seriously, Chilean men…
Despite going to bed relatively early last night (1:30 on a Saturday!), I still managed to sleep until 11:40 this morning. It’s a good thing I woke up because I was planning on going to mass at noon. So I quickly got dressed and walked to church. After mass I showed Olga how to cook Corn on the Cob in the oven (with butter, salt and garlic!) which she had never done it before. They turned out delicious and swore that from now on this is the only way she will cook Corn on the Cob!
After lunch I work for about 20 minutes before Natalie came over and we walked together to Parque O’Higgins (where I go running). Her host mom and told her there was a huge concert going on in the park and she really wanted to check it out. But when we got there it was just a normal day in Parque O’Higgins: tons of families, picnics, paddle boats, kites, vendors, and everything else that makes parks lovely. But Courtney had just gotten on a bus to meet up with us to go to the concert (whoops), so we meandered around the park while waiting for Courtney. When she got there we walked around Republica, the University neighborhood right outside the park (and where Natalie lives).
It was really really hot and like all good Chileans, we decided we needed ice cream. So we ended up going to Fillippos, the place I had ice cream at last night with Sara! But honestly, it’s just that good. Courtney and I couldn’t decide between two flavors so we each got one and switched cones half way through. That is a sign of true friendship!! After ice cream we went to Natalie’s house to say hello to her host mom Nora. After a short visit I walked Courtney back to the bus stop then I walked home. Olga just laughed when I told her we’d gotten ice cream (again).
I spent the evening “starting” my essay for my Poverty class but still managing to spend a lot of my time avoiding my homework. Around 8 pm I got a phone call from a random guy who from in my Education class that I hadn’t seen or talked to since the very beginning of the semester. We did an in class project together and I guess I gave him my number. In any case, he waited over 3 months to call me to invite me to a party at his house tonight. (Yes, a Sunday night). I graciously declined, telling him I had a lot of work to do and reminded him about our big project due tomorrow. He had no idea it was due and said he’d get right on it. Seriously, Chilean men…
Saturday, November 17, 2007 Seriously, please do some stinking homework!! Or just go to the Ballet.
Saturday, November 17, 2007 Seriously, please do some stinking homework!! Or just go to the Ballet.
Mario called while I was on the metro to see where I was because Olga was worried! Told him I’d be home soon!
Got home around 7 am, apologized profusely to Olga. She just laughed and told me not to worry at all, she just wanted to know and her phone wouldn’t work. Told me to just call next time I’d be out that late!
Went to sleep until around 11:30
Spent all day doing homework, talked to Sara (my sister) for a long time!
Turned down invite to go to my Chilean friend’s birthday party. Knew it would be another long, crazy night, decided I needed some down time to catch up on sleep and get some work done. Instead at 7 I met up with Sara at the theater to see the Ballet. Very modern, with a live orchestra. Not what I’d expected, but beautiful. It’s amazing what they can do with their bodies.
Got ice cream with Sara afterwards, sat and talked in the “park” in the median of the Alameda until right before the metro closed. She is Mormon but we have very similar perspectives on religion (it’s the faith that is more important, people shouldn’t hide behind the religion, can be dangerous if people never leave their safe community of faith to think/understand/experience, etc.) It was great to talk with her and sad because she is leaving early.
Went home early (11 pm) and spent the night working on my essays and fell asleep early.
Mario called while I was on the metro to see where I was because Olga was worried! Told him I’d be home soon!
Got home around 7 am, apologized profusely to Olga. She just laughed and told me not to worry at all, she just wanted to know and her phone wouldn’t work. Told me to just call next time I’d be out that late!
Went to sleep until around 11:30
Spent all day doing homework, talked to Sara (my sister) for a long time!
Turned down invite to go to my Chilean friend’s birthday party. Knew it would be another long, crazy night, decided I needed some down time to catch up on sleep and get some work done. Instead at 7 I met up with Sara at the theater to see the Ballet. Very modern, with a live orchestra. Not what I’d expected, but beautiful. It’s amazing what they can do with their bodies.
Got ice cream with Sara afterwards, sat and talked in the “park” in the median of the Alameda until right before the metro closed. She is Mormon but we have very similar perspectives on religion (it’s the faith that is more important, people shouldn’t hide behind the religion, can be dangerous if people never leave their safe community of faith to think/understand/experience, etc.) It was great to talk with her and sad because she is leaving early.
Went home early (11 pm) and spent the night working on my essays and fell asleep early.
Friday, November 16, 2007 Revenge of the Gringos: the epic battle
Friday, November 16, 2007 Revenge of the Gringos: the epic battle
During the day, more homework. Boo…
In the afternoon went to campus to play soccer again. We only had 6 to start, so Christian played on our team against his brother Emilio and all his friends. It was the same friends we’d hung out with last Friday after the game, so it was fun.
We played well (me not included in that we) and after playing one hour straight without subs we finally stopped. It was tied 5-5, so after a little rest decided to end it with a shoot out. 5 each team, we ended up loosing 4-2. But considering we had 3 girls and no subs, I’ll take it.
After the game we bought drinks and hung out outside. Then we went to a party in the Mathematics building. (Every facultad (major) has a huge party each semester and people from every facultad go). Danced salsa and mereguine (sp?) until they shut it down around 1.
A bunch of us took the bus back to Christian’s house and ended up hanging out until the metro opened again at 6:30 am!!
During the day, more homework. Boo…
In the afternoon went to campus to play soccer again. We only had 6 to start, so Christian played on our team against his brother Emilio and all his friends. It was the same friends we’d hung out with last Friday after the game, so it was fun.
We played well (me not included in that we) and after playing one hour straight without subs we finally stopped. It was tied 5-5, so after a little rest decided to end it with a shoot out. 5 each team, we ended up loosing 4-2. But considering we had 3 girls and no subs, I’ll take it.
After the game we bought drinks and hung out outside. Then we went to a party in the Mathematics building. (Every facultad (major) has a huge party each semester and people from every facultad go). Danced salsa and mereguine (sp?) until they shut it down around 1.
A bunch of us took the bus back to Christian’s house and ended up hanging out until the metro opened again at 6:30 am!!
Thursday, November 15, 2007 Nuestra Casa Avant Premiere
Thursday, November 15, 2007 Nuestra Casa Avant Premiere
Skipped Volunteering (woohoo!)
Worked on Biblia essay and finished Doc Soc essay
Running, almuerzo, work
Nuestra Casa premier- sold all 10 tickets!
Went early with Lorin to Quicolandia (snobville) in the super rich part of town, felt like I was back in the states. The mall was decked out in Christmas decorations (CRAZY!) and looked just like every other US mall.
At the theater in the mall, I “greeted” the guests, who were all obviously from a different social class than I’ve been working with at Nuestra Casa. Well dress, some pretty snobby
In the lobby were photos of the organization, I was in the background of one of the biggest ones!
Before the movie, presentation by Francisco (executive director of Nuestra Casa) and Alejandro
Passed out papers for people to sign up and become “socios”, or partners of the organization. i.e. give money every month. People gave a lot, pretty exciting
Movie- The Passion of Beethoven- in English with Spanish subtitles! I loved it. Cheesy dialogue at times, but the cinematography and the music was amazing (obviously, it’s Beethoven!). I think it deserves some academy awards.
After the movies, found out that my girlfriends all hated it! (Except of Courtney, who also loved it!) Oh well, their loss!
All the gringas took the bus home together. Being safe in the big city!
Skipped Volunteering (woohoo!)
Worked on Biblia essay and finished Doc Soc essay
Running, almuerzo, work
Nuestra Casa premier- sold all 10 tickets!
Went early with Lorin to Quicolandia (snobville) in the super rich part of town, felt like I was back in the states. The mall was decked out in Christmas decorations (CRAZY!) and looked just like every other US mall.
At the theater in the mall, I “greeted” the guests, who were all obviously from a different social class than I’ve been working with at Nuestra Casa. Well dress, some pretty snobby
In the lobby were photos of the organization, I was in the background of one of the biggest ones!
Before the movie, presentation by Francisco (executive director of Nuestra Casa) and Alejandro
Passed out papers for people to sign up and become “socios”, or partners of the organization. i.e. give money every month. People gave a lot, pretty exciting
Movie- The Passion of Beethoven- in English with Spanish subtitles! I loved it. Cheesy dialogue at times, but the cinematography and the music was amazing (obviously, it’s Beethoven!). I think it deserves some academy awards.
After the movies, found out that my girlfriends all hated it! (Except of Courtney, who also loved it!) Oh well, their loss!
All the gringas took the bus home together. Being safe in the big city!
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