Since abondoning my fears about conforming to the chilean world...I've officially doven (doven cannot possibly be the past participle of "dive" could it? so much for the english professor) head first.
On Wednesday of last week a woman from the States came to Duoc (my university) to present a powerpoint presentation to the english classes about "life in the U.S.A"..she clicked through pictures of her brandnew VW and her 3-bedroom/2-bath home for 1 and showed a map filled with stars of all the places she's been in the world. She spoke Spanish to my students considering she is a Spanish Teacher in the states. Intimidated by her education in spanish and unbelievable treasures stored up in the states I sat back in my teacher's desk and watched the presentation unfold. She spoke spanish fluidly and without a bat of an eye. However, there was little reaction from my students. She concluded her presentation and exited the classroom in which my students asked, "Profe, can you please translate everything she just said. We didn't catch a thing." I begun to debrief the hour presentation she had given and when dismissing class a student of mine approaches my desk, "Profe, you speak so much better than that 'spanish professor.' I can't believe Americans are learning spanish from her." WHAT?!?!?! My students revealed to me that my spanish is better than a SCHOLAR of spanish. OH the joy!
In returning to Cobquecura this past weekend I took the role of being "designated stay-awaker" in helping the driver stay awake. Somehow, for 7 hours straight I found a way to converse and entertain our driver all in spanish. The second night of our construction mission we had a barbeque at the cabins we were staying at. This time around we were just a small group of 10 very dedicated inviduals (seeing how we all returned to complete the house). The team all with amazing attitudes ands hearts of gold. I hit it off with all of them and as the wine began flowing and ribs continued to be pulled off the grill I found myself as the center of attention, cracking jokes in spanish, dancing salsa with the various gentlemen, and teasing about the differences in our culture. Luna, a girl about 25, yells across the picnic table to menfis, "this girl was born Chilean, only with blonde hair. She speaks perfectly and she gets it." I catch her eyes, in awe of such a compliment and everyone begins chiming in about how impressed they are with my use of slang and ability to respond quickly to humor and be feisty enough to through something back. I express my gratitude for their amazing compliment which is quite possibly the best I've ever received. I was able to make a special connection with the folks in cobquecura because I am finally able to wrap my mind around the ambiance of it all.
As my Spanish continues to improve my network of friends continues to grow. Last night I found myself in an apartment complex with a crew of volunteers who help an organization in Valpo to tutor/mentor the children. Representing 3 countries: Chile, Germany, and the U.S. we made lasagna together, toasted our glasses of wine, and danced salsa until 3 in the morning.
My alarm goes off at 6:45 and I head to the kitchen to prepare my coffee and with a blanket wrapped around me and the rain pelting the ceramic patio I watch the World Cup: Chile vs. Honduras. Outside people are screaming, whistling, and cheering. When a goal is scored at 8:15 in the morning the apartment complex roars with exsuberance. The game ends..Chile WINS and horns have yet to seize one hour later! I have officially acclamated...only in Chile does one dance salsa till 3am and wake up at the crack of dawn to watch their soccer team in the World Cup.
Amando la Vida!
Loving the Life
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