While in Santiago I, of course, stopped in to visit my family
pictured is Menfis (roommate/cousin), Lorena (Mama), and Russell (sister). We are all a bunch of locas!!!
I realized just how much I love the coast..the fresh air, scent of the ocean, spectaular views, and the fact, it's what I call home.
I love experimenting with all of the odd ingredients they use here...trying to create traditional chilean dishes like sopaipilla (deep fried dough...yum) and empanadas (a pastry filled with cheese and meat) ensalada which is served with every meal (peeled tomatoes, salt, oil, lemon) and PEBRE (like pico de gallo-made of diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and aji...a chilean pepper).
Buying fresh frutis and vegatables for cents on the streets is such a thrilling experience. Its becoming a new hobby..negotiating and investigating prices, learning how to pick through which produce is in the best condition and walking away rewarded that kilos of fruit literally just cost less than a dollar!!
I am entirely content. Each morning I awake I look forward to dressing in my formal attire, sitting down to a cup of coffee..ocean waves crashing and morning fog dispersing. The vibrations of my heels conecting to the pavement and the rhythmic tunes pumping on my iPod motivate me as I make my journey to the freeway to hail my micro (bus). one, two, three, four,..I clear the steps to the entrance to the university and smile at the familiar faces passing by--both students and colleagues of mine. My lesson plans cycling through my brain, I request the keys to my sala (classroom) and my carpeta (attendance and grade book). Descending the stairs to my classroom I am renewed when I see my students flood into my classroom full of energy and eagerness to learn. "hello miss" successfully greets me from beneath their thick spanish accents. I write our daily agenda on the board as my heart fills with awe of their obedience in copying each letter I inscribe. Class dismisses and as the last students trickle out I bellow, "have a great day! see you wednesday!" with little confidence they respond, "si. uh yes. bye miss" I smile in approval and with their eyes lit up my mission is accomplished...a connection to English has been made.
I make my way down Avenida Brazil debating whether to entice the street vendors with the few coins I have or to trek on to my bus stop in which I will watch many pass before deciding which is worth the risk. Depending on the day, if I am bold I will jump on a blue bus and just escape in time before missing my stop or if exhausted I await a colectivo (taxi) which can bring me directly to my front door AFTER i struggle with explaining the coordinance of my home. A horse a piece...each its own adventure. I look forward to the challenge and almost always strike up a conversation with some chilean muy amable (very friendly) awaiting their destination as well.
Each moment of my day I find myself thanking god for giving me this opportunity and the ability to appreciate and embrace another culture. I read once, "the world is a book and those who do not travel have only read but one page"...how true of my journey. With each place I see and every person I meet a new chapter is revealed in the book of existence. It is thrilling and exhausting. rewarding and trying. loving and cruel.
with my carnet in hand. sopaipilla digesting. and spanish resonating. i can safely say, soy chilena! (i am chilean)
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