In two places/En dos lugares

It's been a bit longer than normal since I last wrote. I always remember more when I write more frequently...nonetheless I have been busy and will try and recall these final weeks in May. Wow! That alone shows me really how fast time has been going down here. I have about 5 weeks of school left in the semester...to be followed by 2 weeks of Winter Camp, and 1 final week in Santiago. It is insane to be able to count down the weeks so easily...the best part of all this is that soon and very soon Luke will be arriving in Santiago and our 4 weeks of travelling around South America will begin - I am so very excited for this!

Starting with today - I actually spent the day home from school sick. I had a pounding headache and was freezing and hot at the same time all day:( I slept 16 hours straight I think...I am feeling better but utterly exhausted, we will see what tomorrow brings. I must say...every time I am sick I still miss my mom. 

This past weekend I went with about 10 other people (some other volunteers, some friends from Chile) and we headed out to my friend Jorge's house in el campo. Most people here, no matter how much money they have, have a second house that they travel to for vacations. Most Chileans head to the beach, but other to the mountains, or to el campo (i.e. the country). Jorge's father owns a place out past San Felipe, about a 2 hour drive towards the mountains for me from Villa Alemana. We all decided to meet in Santiago first however, and ride up together. Friday night, we went out to a place called The Clinic for food and drinks with some of Jorge's friends, and it was a super fun time to see everyone again for a bit of a gringo-reunion...except now we are all able to talk in Spanish and so it's a good place to practice and have some laughs as well:) Saturday we all piled into Jorge's van...and when I say piled, I really mean it. All 8 of us literally sat on the floor of a van with no seats:) It wasn't exactly conventional travelling for us Americans, but "when in Chile..." We stopped halfway the journey to even indulge in some (cringe) McDonald's for old time's sake...it was delicious:) Our weekend plans were very vague, we simply planned on grilling, hanging out, and enjoying the weekend together - which is exactly what we did! Anyways, here are some photos from the weekend!

 the view North to Peru

 Chilean McDonald's...yup, it's exactly the same:)

 Gettin' cozy in the van...

 el grupo!

 Matt, Max, & I

 Gabi & I

 The bee boxes!

 The "pool"...filled with 2 feet of dirty water

 The passenger van:)

 El Campo

 More bee boxes...

el Hogar de el papa de Jorge:)

Again, as I knew early on in this experience...my fellow volunteers have become some of my very best friends and are really people that I love, admire and trust very much. Some of us are leaving in August, and others are extending their service another semester or even staying in Chile longer. But all in all, a great weeken with great people, laughter, and happiness.

And yet this week marks a very important week for my family back home, and I would be lying if I didn't admit that it is extremely difficult for me not to be attending my sister's wedding this weekend. Aj and Duffy are getting married this Saturday, and I am so so excited for them and for my family...and every bit of me wishes there were a way for me to be there. It is hard, I know that I will think them all the entire weekend. My step-mom Nancy posted this photo on facebook of Aj as young girl, and I wanted to repost it here in honor of their wedding that I will be missing :) So happy for them both, for my family, and for this awesome occasion to celebrate together...Love you all very very much:)

Last week while running I had a bit of a mishap, and sprained my ankle while running. The whole thing was rather embarrassing and painful! Already within a week, the swelling is much better and its only bruised at this point. Nonetheless, Chilean trails are treacherous! I have just been getting back into a running schedule and this happens, but I think by next week I should be able to start up again. I sure miss biking in MN! There is no biking here at all...and I definitely miss that aspect of the twin cities, (and so does my muscle tone...)

Teaching has been extremely busy these last two weeks. Ely is on leave, because of her pregnancy, so I have had classes on my own. I know it has been going really well, but it has definitely been stressful to say the least...My other teachers seem to assumer I'm an actual teacher, which I am not, and at times I struggle to get assistance I need. In addition to this...I don't totally understand everything in Spanish. It's gotten better yes...but still, every once in awhile I would appreciate an update in English:) Oh well....I've decided to no longer worry about it, I am a volunteer after all, and so I am going to enjoy my last month with the kids who I have come to adore. I will take picture of them this week I hope! Coming soon....(and also, I still need to get photos of Dia de los Alumnos...)

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Time is passing more quickly every week it seems. Both places, here and there have become invaluable to me. I continue to be grateful for every single day, and yet perspective has made me realizing how very precious of a life I have back home as well. My heart goes out to my friend Chip, who lost his father this week, my heart goes out to the people in North Minneapolis and others after all the tornadoes, and my heart goes out to the teeny tiny baby in my sister's stomach that I want to meet so badly. I miss these things, these people, these events. And I know now that they are tied to me, even when I am not there. I will come back. This may seem a strange admission - but for awhile, it never felt true to me. Now, it does. And so...I'll see you soon. 

til next time,

lck

claro que si!

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle.” 

(lewis carroll)

It's mid-week in Chile - and though I love it my life as a volunteer - some things never change, I always await the weekend! For some reason in Chile, I am able to sleep for hours on end. I like to think my brain is working extra hard on processing Spanish, and I simply become overloaded...but let me say - I am a champion napper these days (and I thought I was before... I also am able to have a successful 10-12 hour sleep following my daily nap - something I never could do in the U.S. :) It also helps of course, that I have no vehicle, and very few friends who speak English - ha, but that aside, I truly am getting my rest on the south side of the hemisphere!

The other riveting event I have going for me is the attack of the fleas!. At least I think its fleas, though I have received different evaluations on what my 'picaduras' are...according to my extensive Google research I have fleas. The tricky part, is that NOBODY else has them in my house. Apparently, from other volunteers and Chilenos, they simply prefer "comida blanca" (i.e. white food, or gringas!). For those of you who think I am a total whiner, I have decided to post some photos detailing the havoc these suckers are causing; Enjoy!

Lovely, eh? Pretty AND itchy! Pray for me - Please! So far the only remedy I have is essentially a menthol vapor rub...which somewhat soothes but leaves me smelling like a grandpa with a chest cold. Which is great and everything but...Hopefully the situation resolves sooner rather than later! Okay, now since, that was probably traumatizing...I promise to post some prettier pictures before this blog is finished:)

Besides Fleas, I have had a bit more time to bond with my family, have lazy weekends at home, enjoy our Sunday asados with all my extended family - and really feel like I actually live here. A few funny things happen every single day, and try as I might to document them, I always forget. A few off the top of my head? Lets see...

The plate phenomenon: They don't use plates here. For example, we have pansitos (little sandwiches) quite frequently for meals...and I never get a plate. I am finally starting to adjust to this, but the type A side of me cannot stand all the crumbs! They just pile up on the table and then after the meal, the table cloth is shook out....They always use plates under tea cups however - something I never do.  I still get laughed at for putting a napkin under my bread but I simply have to control the crumb-age! Other food related differences...

The Bag Phenomenon. Many foods in Chile are available in plastic bags.... Here is a short list of foods I have seen available in bags (i.e. half gallon proportions...) - Call me neurotic, but I find it hilarious (albeit totally nasty)!

1-mayo
2-mustard
3-ketchup
4-milk
5-yogurt
6-pickles
7-carrots
8-olives
9-jelly/jam

These little cultural differences make way for endless entertainment - I am sure they think my habits are equally odd! Some examples of this include; My affinity for wheat bread, raw vegetables, and dislike of mayo, ketchup, and hot-dogs; That I enjoy tea, without sugar; That I walk barefoot in the house, and don't mind having my hair wet outside or using a scarf every single day. That I have a "lisp" in Spanish...I saved this one for last because I find it slightly embarrassing! According to my host dad however, I have a lisp in Spanish, particularly with the word 'cinco' and pronunciation of the letter 'd'. He, loves this however, and never ceases to tease me. Speaking of this, the Chilean sense of humor is so outrageous to me. Particularly with mi papa, I am shocked at the things he will say and joke about! Never mal-intentioned, but very bold are their jokes! For example, when Carlos found out my boyfriend's name was Luke....he started calling him Luke Skywalker...and has since nicknamed me, Princesa Fea (i.e. Princess Ugly!) - in light of Princess Leah...real nice eh?! Ha...I just have to laugh. He also found out I take anxiety medication and went chanting around the house, ' La Gringa es loca! La Gringa es Loca!' (i.e. the white girl is crazy, the white girl is crazy! thinking this was a really funny joke! ) - It just cracks me up... because well, they are so loving, and jovial you can't help but crack up, despite their lack of 'political correctness' (trust me...they don't even HAVE that concept in Spanish!)

Let's see, I recently went to Valparaiso for the day again, with my friend Jade - took a few more photos around the city, by the ocean, etc. It's getting cooler here, so clear days by the ocean are less frequent. But I really like this city, and its so much fun to walk around and get lost in the hills! here are some photos:

 atop one of the many Cerras, checking out the view!

 As you can see, the houses vary in 'quality'...many people living in conditions we are not used to in the U.S.

Walking in the Hills of Valpo

 typical scroungers :) Pobrecitos!

 the harbor

As for the week ahead, I have plans to spend time with my family this weekend. Looking at a calender, my time as a volunteer is nearly half way over! WOW! So I like to be with them on the weekend when I can - Ely just received bed rest orders from the doctor for two weeks, so she should be home a lot more now too. (update: the baby is fine, the doctors very often prescribe bed rest here ...as pregnancy seems to be culturally viewed more as a 'sickness', then a natural process of the body). That being said, I will be teaching alone for the next two weeks or so yet again, until Ely can return in June. So I will be very busy! At the end of May, I am finally going to 'el campo' (the country) with friends from Santiago - we are meeting in Santiago and then travelling to Los Andes, a town very close to the border of Argentina and should be very beautiful and fun to reunite!

Friday evening I am heading to a concert with my host dad Carlos and friend Jade in Quilpue - I am excited! Here is a link to the band we are going to see, Inti-Illimani - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5RpuhnymRE . Should be a really great concert!
         And to part, here is one last photo of me, with Leticia...the 2 year old granddaughter of Angelica (the woman who works at our house) - She is at my house every Wednesday, and Leticia is here too, so I usually 'babysit' a bit and play with this little sweetie pie! So cute! She particularly likes my camera, my make-up, and my markers:)

And of course,  I miss you all dearly, fondly, and always. It is never enough to say these things, but I am only able to be here, on this journey, due to the enormous amount of help and strength I receive from all of you back home. More than once I have cried on the phone to one of you - lamenting my fears and my lonliness - and through this you all help me see the bright side, and keep my head up just a bit longer - without you all, I have nothing. And not that I am counting but....only 73 more days till Luke visits:)
Til next time...!
lck

Time is living me...

Another week in Chile gone by...

Boast of Quietness

Writings of light assault the darkness, more prodigious than meteors.
The tall unknowable city takes over the countryside.
Sure of my life and death, I observe the ambitious and would like to understand them.
Their day is greedy as a lariat in the air.
Their night is a rest from the rage within steel, quick to attack.

They speak of humanity.
My humanity is in feeling we are all voices of that same poverty.

They speak of homeland.
My homeland is the rhythm of a guitar, a few portraits, an old sword,
the willow grove’s visible prayer as evening falls.

Time is living me.

More silent than my shadow, I pass through the loftily covetous multitude.
They are indispensable, singular, worthy of tomorrow.
My name is someone and anyone.

I walk slowly, like one who comes from so far away he doesn't expect to arrive.....(Jorge Luis Borges)

I wanted this poem to be part of my writing today, because it in I have found so many reflections of my self at this moment in time. This last week or so in Chile has been a new chapter in my mind. I have felt displacement this week, sadness at times even...not being able to speak, well... it makes you feel inadequate at times. Other things mounted quickly for me this week, having an evaluation by my director of my teaching, and (more to come on this...) a performance in front of my entire school! Even in writing and with the advantage of hindsight I can see these are small things. But, true to form, I let these grains of sand became mountains to climb. I want to say I had a great attitude and ample energy...but rather, I experience my first descent into frustration and impatience with my surroundings. I want to acknowledge it - accept it readily - so that next time, it passes like familiar friend and doesn't stay too long I suppose....just a theory:) Every day I am here I learn more about what the purpose of my time here is. I feel I spend a lot of time thinking about the same things over and over again; trying to figure out who I am, learning to live in balance with expectations and reality, and embracing the things I fear most in my life....All of these things are good. All of these things, are part of why I came here in the first place.

On to my week! As mentioned last time, after many hours of waiting in lines, travelling from one government building to the next, I officially have my Chilean Visa and Chilean Carnet! Well, in 10 days I do:) It's quite the system they have...lets just efficiency is not its best feature...nonetheless I have completed the necessary forms and eagerly await!

Perhaps most excitingly...This week our school had a special day - called 'Dia del los Alumnos' or student's day....essentially yet another day where we don't have class and have fun activities for the kids:)  That being said, my particular role in the event was....as a performer. Yes....a performer, Lady 'ChaCha' to be exact (i.e. lady gaga) - me and 4 other teachers had to choreograph and lip sync to a song in front of the entire school! It was ridiculous....but I checked my shame at the door and went all out....I am sure there will be photos and videos to follow and I can more accurately depict the humiliation I endured through those! All in all...I admire the spirit of these people, and of my school. They do so much to have fun and laugh....they actually take the time to celebrate their togetherness and do things that are embarrassing and funny for their students to enjoy. Other teachers perform as well, it was pretty fun, and afterwards there was a karaoke session for the whole school...I think the student's had a great time, I know I did (though I was a bit nervous...) and I am happy I went ahead and joined in the fun! Promise to post pictures as soon as I can....!

Additionally, I have been able to read many books as of late, and have developed quite the list of recommended reads! Currently, I am reading a memoir called 'Santiago's Children' by Steve Reifenberg. I strongly urge all of you to find a copy of this and read it. It embodies SO many of my experiences and thoughts down here as a gringa, and as a new person to the people and history of Chile. It is absolutely an excellent intro to the reality that is Chile, then and now....so ready away! Also, during my orientation we watched a movie titled 'Machuca'...and for those of you with Netflix, it is another great movie to depict some aspects of Chile I have been unable to testify to myself, or well enough to do them justice. 

Actually, right now in Chile there is a huge outcry against the government of Chile because they are planning on building at least 5 hydroelectric power plants in the Patagonia region of Aysen. Chileans are outraged for the most part, due to the magnitude of impact on the natural environment in Patagonia...obviously not good. There have been many huge public protests in Santiago and closer to me, in Valparaiso, some of which have already become violent on behalf of the police. I sat in the government building on Tuesday and watched footage of the police using really brutal forces against people. Things I have never seen, like water cannons, tear gas, clubbing, tazers, and detaining over a hundred peaceful protesters. Very hard to watch, and sad to think that for financial reasons a government would risk such an important ecosystem. Anyways, it is a very important issue down here right now, and thought I would share some worldly news...!

entonces, creo que todo....te extraño todos los. y a veces, esto es tan difícil. cuando estoy perdido, escucho la música de Luke, yo escribo, y recuerdo que me encanta. 

til next time,

lck

p.s. - I will update this post soon, so check back for added footage!

Why think about that when all the golden land is 

ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you 

and make you glad you're alive to see?”

________________________________________________________

I suppose this is the first entry I will have solely for my own.  Lately, I feel as if my life in Chile is a dream I am awaiting to wake from. The language flows in and out of me, and I am frustrated and excited and irritated by it all at the same time. This road is long it seems...many days I am like a child. I swallow my pride, I make up words, I am quieter than I would like because sometimes, well, I run out of words. Some days I speak freely, at ease. And others I feel new again, my slate blank,my ears just open. I know I just need more time, or maybe I know that's all there is to comfort me anyways...I am only now beginning to understand the changes that occur within when one is estranged from so much and so many of the things they know well. As they say, the beat goes on:)

Yesterday was mi tata's (literally, the Chilean word for great grandfather) birthday....he is 95! We went to mi abuelita's house for his party....cake, family, food, & pisco ensued:) I think yesterday was the first time I felt like I had a real second family though. Maybe only for a few minutes, but I felt less aware of my displacement... And sinking into this feeling, I inexplicably missed home very much at the exact same time. However, if being here is the hardest thing I ever do, then I am lucky in this life. I try to carry that thought with me each and everyday.

This week, I am finally getting my Visa! This mostly means, I will finally have a Chilean ID card and will finally be receiving my stipend:) I also can happily report Luke officially has his ticket to visit me, and is arriving in Santiago come July 27th! On to the fun part - planning our adventures in America de Sur! School is busy as ever, Eli continues to be pregnant (i.e. sick as a dog), and I continue to laugh at the strange reality that is life in Chile - it is lovely, it is outrageous and nonsensical, and at times, it is home...
Til next time,
lck