up up away

As I write this I am curled up in bed (at 9:00pm on a Friday nonetheless!) - I have a cough, sore throat and a pounding head...:( BUT... I have photos to share and an update on the trip to Colliguay with the family! We headed out Wednesday afternoon, and arrived after a VERY windy journey through the mountains towards Santiago. The 'cabin' was rustic to say the least! We spent the first hour or two, cleaning mouse poop off the beds! But it reminded me of home in a way, and from the start I was quite enchanted with the place. We made a fire, and homemade pizza - and spent the night playing Taboo (in Spanish!) and cards. I slept in 3 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of wool socks, a hat, and gloves all inside my snug mummy sleeping bag with a tiny air hole to breath! Brrrrrrrr! It was quite cold (and potentially a factor of why I am sick now...!). It was a really fun night though - in the morning, we made breakfast and went on a hike up into the hills where there were great views of the Andes, and lots of fresh air. Here are some photos!

 Carlos - in his infamous poncho!

 my bedroom

 for papasan:)

 the porch!

bee boxes

 random - caca de caballo...

the cabin

 our heating unit for the entire house...

 Ely, Carlos & I

 On a hike!

 the crew - Ryan, Carola, Jessica, Ely, Carlos, & Me

 view from the hike

el cemetario de Colliguay

I loved the cemetary we visited, and have many more photos of the cabin itself as well as from our night there at this link to my Picasa album; https://picasaweb.google.com/lindsay.c.keene/Colliguay?authuser=0&feat=directlink

This trip was one my favorite things I have done in Chile so far - and was an absolutely great trip during my last week of vacation! I returned home dirty, smelly and ready for a shower! The next few days will be spent packing, sorting and getting ready to go to Santiago for the end of my program and to pick Luke up at the airport!
Til next time...
lck

once upon a time...

Winter vacation has arrived! I officially survived a week of el Campiemento de Invierno with 100 Chilean high-school students! As a volunteer counselor, me and the others were put up in a hotel in Viña del Mar - and despite the lack of hot water, it ended up being pretty nice! Winter Camp itself was an experience for sure! The kids who attended this camp gave up a week of their vacation to learn English - and for Chilean students this is a huge huge deal! So they were very intelligent motivated kids who in the end I think really had an amazing week. On the other side of things, the camp was run by MINEDUC, and therefore was "slightly" disorganized and at times, very challenging to work with! 

Alas, I am home and enjoying days of sleeping in, having enough time to go for long runs, and sit outside and read:) Ely and Carlos also received some great news this week, that are having a baby girl! I am super excited for them - Ely looks great and has the cutest baby bump - almost makes up for missing my own sister's pregnancy! Last night my extended family got together for onces and we played cards for several hours - I lost 900 pesos (don't worry, that's less than 2 dollars!)...but nonetheless had a good time with everyone! I feel as if I am soaking up as much time with them as possible...as I only have one more week here at the house before I begin my travels with Luke. It is all very bittersweet indeed.

Today after lunch, Ely, Carlos, I and some other Chilean friends are heading out to el campo for the night! They have a small adobe cabin out in Colliguay, and we are heading there for some time in the mountains! I am really looking forward to this. The weather has been quite cold in the night time (mid-30's) but during the day its about 50, bright, clear and crisp. It feels like late September in Minnesota, and I really love that time of year. The mountains surrounding the town are covered in snow now, and i never tire of looking at them. 

I'm off to hang my laundry on the line and make another cup of instant coffee with powdered milk (there are some things I miss VERY much from the US!!!). At times I cannot believe I have been here and done this. I have learned another tongue and lived another life entirely; made a new family and experienced a new job. When I came to Chile, I think I would have had a really hard time knowing exactly what was pulling me here, and driving me to make this leap. But now, as I look back at the months past, the experiences I have had, the places I have seen, and the number of times I felt truly lucky in this life - I know that these are the reasons I came here, I just didn't know it then. And for that I have nothing but gratitude. 

til next time,

lck

Día de Disfraces/Copa América

My last at Colegio Montesol has come and gone! Thursday was our official Día de disfraces (costume day) and it was a very fun day with very little accomplished:) Mainly, we ate food, stood around, and took photos! Some of the little kiddos were pretty adorable, and it was a good way to say good-bye to everyone. Here are some photos of the kids;

Also, I have added a new album to my Picasa site - and more photos can be seen here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lindsay.c.keene/JulyInChile?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCODAgqeptITX5AE&feat=directlink

On Friday, I went to school for one final lunch with my co-teachers. Everyone was in great spirits and I realized how very much I'm going to be missing everyone when I leave. This group of professors are such fun-loving people, who I enjoyed seeing every single day. That being said, they give me a gift of Chilean wine and were very generous in their well wishes! A few of us then headed to Valparaiso to watch Chile play Uruguay (1-1 tie) at a bar - I had a super fun evening and came home with the hiccups (enough said!).

All in all I had a great last few days with everyone, and was pretty sad to say good-bye to it all. The next two weeks are going to fly by I am sure, and then Luke arrives finally! Our journey begins in Santiago. Ill begin Winter Camp tomorrow, and am hoping to have another great week in Chile.

til next time,

lck

Closing in...!

"Someday, somewhere - anywhere, 

unfailingly, you'll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life" -Pablo Neruda

photo courtesy of WorldTeach

      Well - per usual I have waited far too long to update! Things have been happening every day so I will try and recount as best I can...

      First thing that comes to mind is my first time eating carne cruda - an apparent delicacy in Chile - I thought I was having my typical translation problems at first, but alas, no....RAW MEAT indeed! I also made the mistake of thinking perhaps it would be covertly slipped into a certain dish, but when a large bowl full of strips of red bloody beef was set in the center of the table - I knew I was in trouble:) Still I followed my 'try everything once' motto and went ahead and awkwardly chewed my way through a piece. I'm not going to lie...it wasn't easy. Even though the flavor was fine, the entire idea really made it difficult for me to swallow!!! A bit of lettuce and (of course) mayo were our only side dishes as well! Here is a photo - pre-dinner! (of course, not much changed!)

carne cruda - yum yum!!

Next up....today my school surprised me with an awesome program - thanking me for volunteering at their school. I was absolutely blown away and surprised! Every class I teach either wrote a song, did a dance, or make something for me. They are so so great! I have many videos of their performances and will upload them below....they are such great kids - I will absolutely never forget my time here or with them - as they have made all of the hardships worth it! Enjoy the program clips I was able to catch!!

a quick view of what my school actually looks like! 

The classrooms are outdoors, with no main building to house them all....which is why its so cold!!!

my 2 medio class (sophomores)

 7 basico (7th grade) - singing a song they wrote for me

 4 medio (seniors), a skit about me arriving at Montesol

 a dance - featuring my little sister, Emi! (the lone 4th grader!)

 3 medio (juniors)- singing a song they wrote

 4 medio (seniors) - dance/skit

 7 basico (7th grade) song!

 CHILE dance!

My favorite song - rewritten by 1 medio (freshmen class)

Pictures cannot do it justice of how awesome this program was, I was so surprised! I am so so thankful for my experience with these kids, and I know that they will do great things with their lives as well. I am forever thankful that I was able to be a part of that:) It was a very emotional day! As tomorrow is my final day, I am sure it will be even more so...

Other than winding down at school - Chile is in the middle of the Copa de America  -a soccer championship, and so I have been watching much more soccer than usual! This Monday Chile beat Mexico, and on Friday they play Uruguay, and I am heading to Valparaiso with some of my co-teachers to catch the game at a bar! They are VERY enthusiastic fans...I mostly sit back and enjoy them, more than the game...;) Viva Chile!

Additionally - I also recently visited Santiago, to welcome the new crew of WT volunteers to Chile! We had a roof top asado (an amazing feat, its WINTER!) - It was a bit of a reunion for us March volunteers as well, and we had a good time all bundled up eating grilled meat and veggies! Here are a few photos...

 staying warm:)

 Jorge, Chels, Me, Heather, & Lauren - some of my favorite friends in Chile!

 Me, Matt, Jade, Simeon, & Mons at some Chilean house...!

 Me, Stephen, & Jade at the asado!

 Max, Esteban, Jade & I

the group, huddling by the fire!

Snow has finally arrived to the Andes as well...and once the smog clears in Santiago, it is absolutely beautiful! The city is surrounded by the mountains, but half the time you can't tell because of the air pollution:( However, it clears occasionally - Here they are!

There will be more to come very soon - tomorrow is my last day and is therefore "costume day"...I will be dressing as a ninja. I am hoping its a good last day, and that I am able to stop by the school once more before I leave Chile...


After this week, I am set to be a camp counselor for one week at English Camp in Vina del Mar - no details have been given to me yet about this, but I head there on Sunday! Before I know it, my program ends, and Luke and I will be headed on our trip - I am very excited - there are many good things ahead:)

Til next time,

lck

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