by the sea

I am writing this while bundled up in blankets, slippers, and a cup of tea warming my hands....you can't tell by the beautiful photos I posted below...but Winter is here and is quite cold! Only in the sun do I feel a tinge of warmth, and wearing my calzas (leggings/long underwear) has become a must every day:) I have been very busy lately...Not so much with school, but with enjoying the sights and spending time with friends and family here in Chile.

Today I went to Valparaiso with my family for the Festival of San Pedro...lots of music, dancing, and celebrating along the coast. We wandered around the beach and along the pier, and then ate lunch on the shore. I really do love eating fish here...perhaps I'll be more adventurous when I get home now too....but fresh Reineta a la Plancha has become one of my favorite foods in Chile! The day was spent with my family, my cousins, and my aunt and uncle...who are in the photos below. All in all it was just a really beautiful day by the ocean! 

 Mini San Pedro statue with Emi, before they sent him out to sea!

 Emi & Ely at the festival in Valpo

 The view from the pier

 Seals out to play at the pier:)

 Tia Jessica, Tio Edwin, with Carlos, & Ely

 Mi primas (my cousins), Andrea & Dani with Emi on the pier

 Out to lunch! Fresh seafood!

The whole family:)

Friday I was lucky enough to have the day off from school, and so I went to the beach with Monica and explored a bit more around Valparaiso. I love walking around that city...its endless  and full of great views of the ocean. I also took my first ride in an ascensor which is an elevator of sorts, that brings you up to the top of the Cerros (hills) of Valpo...They are incredible steep and rickety, but it was quite fun! All in all, I hope these pictures can at least depict all the crazy colors, dilapidated apartments, and amazing character of the city by the sea....Enjoy!

City Sights

one of many steep stairwells in the city 

the city actually promotes graffiti, an amazing art is everywhere!

 typical street of Valpo

Ascensor Reina Victoria! 

 Valpo as the sun sets...

 A slide I discovered at the top of the ascensor...yahoo!

 typical valpo apartments

Other than trips to the coast, I have been savoring my last few weeks as a teacher. My students have really grown on me, and I know I will be sad to leave them...they are great kids. And I have loved being a part of their lives for sure. I also miss Nursing! I really do think I chose the right profession....I love them, but those kids are crazy! Teaching is hard work indeed!

I did go out with a few co-teachers on Wednesday, to a new bar. I know I still have an English brain, because as I pictured our destination "Cafe Yurnal" you can imagine my smile, when we arrived at "Cafe Journal"! Some days my Spanish comes quickly and easily, but other days I am exhausted by it in ways I didn't even know I could be tired! Sometimes I really look forward to a night of talking to my mom on the phone and watching some TV in English! All in all though, I continue to improve each day, and I am very proud of that! 

I have tomorrow off from school, actually - and this past Monday it rained and so school was canceled. Chileans don't go anywhere when it rains! I find it to be a lovely idea actually...! That brings the officially school countdown to 8 days!

Suffice to say, I am trying to make the most of each and every day I have here. More and more I miss my family in the U.S., and welcome the change coming ahead...Luke arrives in about one month! We have been busy planning our adventures to include Chile, Peru, Bolivia, & Argentina...and I have such gratitude that we are able to do these things with our lives. Good thoughts sent to everyone back home...missing you all dearly on this "Chile" (get it?!) Sunday night...

Til next time,

lck

Hoy es hoy

Ayer se fue

No hay duda

[Today is today. Yesterday is gone. There is no doubt. - Pablo Neruda ]

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It is remarkable to me how quickly time is passing  at school - only 4 weeks left! Because the end of the semester is ending, we have had many activities this past week, and more for next week too. This week I was a chaperon for my sister Emi's 3rd grade class (and 4th grade class) field trip to Casablanca for a Ruta Historia. It was pretty funny - Naturally they stick me in the back of the crazy bus full of little kiddos all riled up! It was a good trip though - good bonding with my sister and her friends, and I was able to communicate pretty well all day. (Talking with kids is usually easier.) Unfortunately, they also think my scolding in Spanish is more funny, than commanding...so it was an interesting bus ride home! Our first stop was a museum, and then we had lunch and a project in the park, followed by a trip to a family farm! We got to see tons of baby cows, and were able to buy fresh cheese and milk as well. It was pretty neat and the little vacitos were adorable (albeit stinky)! Here are photos from the day;

 baby cows:)

 my students

 3rd grade boys

 Emi & I on the bus!

 Locitos!

 Josefa & I...she is Emi's best friend and is at my house a lot

 visiting the farm

 learning about irrigation!

4th grade girls

Also, I took a video of my sister Emi singing with her classmates. For some reason they love the song, "who let the dogs out", and I am pretty sure they don't know what it means, but they sing it in both English and Spanish and thinks its SOOO cool - pretty funny, and gives a good indication of Emi's awesome personality!

I took many of the kids and you can see more of them on my Picaso site Here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lindsay.c.keene/ColegioMontesolFieldTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCKXR3-G_5vr9Pw&feat=directlink  .
As you can see, my students do not wear uniforms which is extremely rare in Chile, about 99% of schools have uniforms, so we are definitely the exception. Overall, Colegio Montesol is an amazing school, and far above average for the Chilean education system. 

On Thursday, my friend Monica and I traveled to Isla Negra, a small coastal town south of Valparaiso - it is where the famous poet Pablo Neruda has yet another house, and he and his wife are also buried there. It was my favorite Neruda house yet....right on the beautiful coast. We had great weather and it was a fun day trip - His houses are incredibly unique and creative - my dream house indeed! here are some of my photos...

 Monica & I

 Entrance to la casa de Neruda

 Signature fish design by Neruda, facing the beach

 the pacific ocean view...loud & beautiful!

 A gorgeous day!

 Sunset on the beach:)

It's funny, but all of Pablo Neruda's houses have a nautical theme. the floors have no nails, but pegs. Most of the doors are off of ships, and they are full of sea glass and figureheads from ships, and the most beautiful things you have ever seen - yet, in his life he was afraid of the sea, and so he never went on a single ship! He truly was an amazing collector as well a poet. I enjoy visiting his houses very much, as they have a certain way of delighting you in ways you wouldn't expect. Unfortunately you cannot take photos in the house, but the property is enough to see what a beautiful spot it really is -  again here is the Picasa site for more! https://picasaweb.google.com/lindsay.c.keene/IslaNegra?authkey=Gv1sRgCLLP08K5prvLGg&feat=directlink

Alas, the weekend has arrived! Tomorrow I am going to a handball tournament with my family. Handball is essentially basketball, but with soccer nets instead of hoops...I think! I can't quite understand it yet, but it's very popular and all the young kids play it! So tomorrow I am watching my sister's school (colegio Monetsol) play against my host dad's school (colegio de los reyes). Should be a fun day with the family:) Next week I have another field trip with my high-school kids to Santiago, which should be a good time as well! At the end of the month we (me and some other volunteers) are thinking of heading north for warmer weather and a bit of camping in the mountains or on the beach - Life is good!
Til, next time...
lck

the little things:)

..."There's something about about the north...

something that sets it apart from all other directions. A person who is heading north is not making any mistakes in my opinion." said Stuart, "I rather suspect that from now on I shall be travelling north until the end of my days"...

.[stuart little, e.b. white]

         Today was a great day! For many reasons I was happy in my heart today. Number one being, my sister Aj got married today! As I hoped, the weather was beautiful for them, and as I write they are surely celebrating the night away:) Every bit of me misses them, but I feel nothing but gladness that they can all be together tonight...
             And way down South in Chile - another lovely day as well! My friend Chelsea and I made plans to head about 2 hours north to a little town called La Ligua - a sort of arts community known for their wool/knitting/etc and their yummy Dulces (sweets). But it wouldn't be Chile without its little surprises! The first one being an absolute awesome one! Chelsea's father in California had sent her some REAL coffee and I was actually able to start my day with some legit hot coffee with a great friend... SO good! Does wonders for the spirits, I tell you,  the little things that remind you of home:) 

         Our next adventure was being crammed (and I mean, literally crammed) onto a bus with an excess of 50 other travelers. Let's just say it was less than comfortable! They could barely close the door and we could hardly control our laughter. Alas, we finally got going on a bus with actual seats and we were on our way! La Ligua is a very quaint town, but most of all the day was really nice - clear skies and mountains surrounded us and we had no schedule whatsoever! Here are some photos from the day;

such a beautiful fall day in Chile!

the famous Dulces of La Ligua

 verduras a la feria

 you can literally buy anything at la ferias...anything

Enjoying the city center of La Ligua!

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          I also finally got a few more photos of my family, so here is FINALLY a photo of my parents, Ely & Carlos! They are great great host parents who treat me as their own:) By my estimates Ely is about 3 months pregnant now, which is exciting, as she is finally feeling a bit better! Ill also post a few of Emilia...who refuses to make a normal face in any of my photos (oh, 8 year olds...) None the less I can help but notice our similarities:)

Ely & Carlos - out to lunch on Mother's day!

Emi (naturally, making a weird face) & Ely

Emilia smiling "for real" (yeah right...!)

         That's all for now...my room is quite chilly and I'm going to bundle up and watch a movie! Just wanted to share another good day from the southern hemisphere, and to perhaps, even if only for myself, to remember that these truly are good days, meant to love and enjoy, no matter where I am at; I am very blessed. Buenas noches!

til next time,

lck

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