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
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