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.