Homey

Late nights spent at big houses with beautiful and friendly Chileans makes me feel at home. Eager to speak English, they surround me with company and soon I feel welcome and find myself laughing and enjoying myself. I am the gringa who wears a poncho to the party. I am perplexed by the familiarity I surround myself with in Chile, and the comfort I find with my new friends. I have been fortunate enough to meet people's families here, which further extend who someone is. In this culture it seems that there is more of an emphasis on family than in the EEUU. People have ties to who their grandparents are and have corresponding levels of class. It seems like a source of pride, as well as an obstacle to overcome. It has roots in a deep history. Who am I in accordance to my family? 

Affection is prevalent in relationships here as well. Friends stand close and rub each other's backs and hair. At home, I find I fall into this category, yet I always fight against a feeling of my personal space being invaded. We have been bred to inhibit only our own space and to share that space only with partners or best friends. However, the greeting kiss right off the get go with new friends pops the bubble. The irony is that the Chilean commentary on Americans is that we are too friendly. The Chilean bubble is inclusive of friends and family, but exclusive of customer service. It seems that their independence comes down to how and why they spend their money, which they can do on their own without the help of customer service. At restaurants here you have to flag down the waiter to ask for the check, and you can bet that they won't be around during the meal to ask how things are going.

Salud!

Aprendemos Espanol

I thought it would be easier to keep a blog with this new addition of an iPhone in my life, but I suppose I didn't take into account the fact that the majority of my studies are in the backcountry of a foreign country. Alas, here I am, nearly two weeks later with a short update. After my last post we boarded an overnight ferry to a place called Amarillo Valley. People were sprawled out all over the floors, desperately trying to find a place to sleep. I abandoned my hopes of shut eye and found some Chileans to talk with. Through broken Spanish we discovered some places to visit while in the small town of Chaiten. A small, spry man named Nicolas who was made of earth music and magic picked us up and guided us up a Volcano. It was a strenuous hike with steps made for giants, but the volcano was brilliant and I felt honored to be so near the center of the earth. It is beautiful that the earth opens herself when the pressure inside is too great. 

After running down the mountain and driving for two hours down a bumpy road with a van that bottomed out nearly every time we reached our resting place. It was a little taste of paradise and for 5 days we frolicked around and learned about plants and birds. I felt the curious child in me yearning to know the place that was so new. One morning I was lucky enough to watch the sun paint the mountains red.

We also hiked the a glacier.

After some hot springs and traveling and re supply in a town with one Small market I have landed in a place called Pillan. The locals are welcoming and there is a crew of girls who I talk with to learn Spanish. Yesterday we cooked a lamb that I helped to slaughter, and we danced late into the night with the people of this place.

Everyone is connected to this land, the cycles of life and death, and each other. The farm is not big, but everyone interacts and works together. In the mornings we help with various tasks like moving rocks and harvesting honey, then we have class, and then I go play futbol. I'm no good but they still let me play. 

Today the little girls invited me to make cake and bread with them and together we created delicious food and friendship. I cannot believe how much I am learning about this place, another culture, and myself. I have more to say, but I must return to my required readings. Balancing work and play is a delicate act, but I am getting by and my heart is full. 

Muchos Amor!