Check it out!
Finally-
more pictures! Check out the links on the right hand side to see some shots of my travels to Machu Picchu, Fray Jorge National Park in the north of Chile, as well as the volunteer project of building a simple housing structure that I did earlier in the year with students from my university.
Keep checking back- I will post some more pictures soon!
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
So I didn´t go out last night just like I had planned- instead the party came in...
After a Rotary meeting with the young club (that is in the middle of re-structuring and forming Sister Club bonds with Adrien´s club in Jacksonville), five of the Rotarians came to my place for what was
supposed to be pre-game before they were supposed to go out to listen to music. Instead, pre-game turned into the SuperBowl and before I knew it, it was almost 5 am and they were just leaving!
I woke up this morning on the account of an earthquake (!) and decided to come to the Casa Central of my uni(versity) to use Internet for free.
Today´s schedule-
Internet til my class at the gym at 12:30. Go home and shower! Maybe a meeting with this Doctor who heads up an organization for children with metabolic disorders (service project that the young club is working on). Dinner at Natalia´s house (tacos!) to watch Farenheit 9/11 with the Rotary Scholars and Louis (Natalia´s dad)- I am sure a strong debate will follow!
Speaking of Rotary Scholars- we had a pow-wow yesterday and are working on putting together a newsletter to send to the Rotary Clubs in the States as well as one in Spanish for the clubs here. We are planning on building a media-agua (the style of housing that I built earlier in the year) as a group project. And at the end of next semester, they are going to help me with my project of collecting stuff from exchange students in order to donate it all to people in need. It will be a busy semester indeed....
Spring is in the air!
Today while walking to the metro, I looked up and lo and behold..... the trees are blooming! What is going on? Did I miss winter? It flew right by me it seems- although I guess being out of the country for two weeks probably hurried along the process, right?
Although I am quite enjoying the warm weather and cloudless (but still smog-filled) sky, I am hoping that one (just one!) storm is lurking around the corner because... I still haven´t gone snowboarding! Ahhh! I know- I am a disgrace to all snowboarders- here I am, right next to the Andes Mountains and haven´t taken advantage of them. Grrrr.... I hope it snow this weekend so I can go on Monday- that would be just great.
In the meantime- I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the studying I have to do. In fact, so overwhelmed that I am not going out tonight (and it is FRIDAY!) so that I can study. Scary, isn´t it? Well, I guess maybe it isn´t so much that I am feeling overwhelmed- it is just that I am so interested in my classes and I want to NOT be lost so badly (specifically in finance) that I am willing to sacrifice one Friday night in order to accomplish that goal. Aww man- what is happening to me? Have I been replaced by an alien? Or maybe it is just that spring fever?...
You´re Trippin´
While in a crowded public area, it is very common to accidentally stumble and bump someone, walk too closely behind someone due to the mass of people and step on their shoe. It is not unheard of to, in order to get where you are going, have to speed up and in doing so end up cutting someone off unintentionally or be dancing in a club and accidentally elbow someone.
Well, in the US, I can recall time and time again when people freak out and throw phat attitude at the person who accidentally tripped (I have personally been on both sides of the spectrum) by saying something rude along the lines of "Damn, girl- watch where you are going!", "Hello? That was my
shoe!", "Hey, watch it!", or just a loud "Uugh!". Sometimes, the guilty party will apologize before anything nasty can be said by the receiving party, yet other times a fight will practically ensue (especially if there has been alcohol involved).
Here, people are constantly bumping into each other or stepping on each other´s feet in a crowded metro, or colliding in a dance club. The difference here is that people know that it was an accident in the first place so they don´t get all riled up about it. Instead of freaking out, they let it pass as if it were nothing, because in all reality, it really was nothing but an accident.
Two is Better Than One
In case you didn´t read the news- Chile won two gold medals in tennis! Yesterday, Nicólas Massú beat USA´s Mardy Fish for the gold in mens tennis! That means that Chile now has two gold medals to its name!
The ceremony was picturesque- two Chileans side by side (Massú with the gold and Fernando González with bronze) and an American with silver! I was so proud to be where I was at (Chile) and be where I am from (the US)!!
People were partying like crazy- the Alameda (main street in Santiago) at Plaza Italia (where the big cell phone buidling is) was closed down due to the large crowd that gathered to chant and dance for over five hours after the match had ended.
Afrien and I met at Plaza Italia in order to enjoy the spectacle- the streets were lined with cars creating such a traffic mess- but no one cared because that was the point! Everyone was hanging out of the windows with Chilean flags and yelling out the uniting cheer- "Chi-Chi-Chi! Le-Le-Le! ¡Viva Chile!"
People are still talking about it- although most people think that soccer would be the national sport, tennis has actually grown so much in popularity during the last ten years that Chileans actually consider it the national sport. Well, after many years of long, hard work and private financial support (meaning no athlete in Chile really receives much government support), Chileans are now at the top of their game!!
Going for Gold
Athens 2004- Chile wins its first Olympic Gold in history!
Yesterday afternoon, doubles tennis team of Nicolás Massú and Fernando González won the coveted gold medal after a hard battle against Germany. Earlier in the day, González played USA´s Taylor Dent and secured Chile´s first medal of the games- the bronze in singles tennis.
For the gold medal match, I was in downtown Santiago with masses of people watching the game on the Teletron. It was so exciting being in the middle of the crowd- the energy level was so high!
Right now, I am at an Internet café typing this blog with a television at my side watching another gold medal match between.... USA and Chile!!! As of right now, Massú is battling it out on the court with Mardy Fish- first set was Massú´s and the second went to Fish. Massú looks a little frustrated right now, but no matter what happens I will be happy because one of my country´s will get the gold no matter what!
If I were feeling a little bit better, I would be downtown with a flag from each country in my hands, but I am sick so I ought not be partying. Besides, I have homework to do.... :-(
Culture Clash
Adrien and her friend Bryan went to Buenos Aires last weekend- apparently they had a good time (how can you not have a good time where the music is good, food is cheap, and the shopping excellent?) Bryan told me about a dinner that they shared in a typical Argentine place (I don`t know what that would be since I haven`t been to Argentina yet) and how Adrien got a bit upset because even though Bryan doesn`t speak a lick of Spanish, the waiters would talk to him instead of her, even though she would do all of the answering. I haven`t talked to her about this yet, but my guess is that she though it "machisto" or cheauvenistic (SP?) for him to not be talking to her since she was obviously the one who knew what was going on.
This isn`t the first time that I have heard of the waiters having this tendency- when Leah`s boyfriend came down to visit, the same thing occured. But I think I have figured it out- the waiter`s don`t want to disrespect or offend the man by speaking directly with his lady, so they do there best to not even lay their eyes on her. That`s my guess anyways. I think that they do it to be polite, although when you are a feminist like Adrien, it comes across as disrespectful.
The same thing goes when a woman is walking down the street- if she is walking with any male, no other male will send "piropos" (unwarranted come-ons) her way.
I personally like the aspect that they have that respect for the male, but I don`t get why they just don`t have enough respect for the woman in the first place(?). In the end, they have respect for the male because they think that the woman is "his" instead of seeing her as an individual- and that I don`t like.
Going where no woman has gone before
Today I went to my Rotary club´s meeting in order to talk to my host counselor about service project ideas. Afterwards, I was given a tour of the Union Club (where the club meets) by one of the Rotary associates.
Historically, the Union Club was a very exclusive, upper-class club of the forties and fifties where the movers and shakers met to drink, smoke, and make their business deals. Women were not permitted. Not even in the building.
Now, the Union Club does let women in the building, but only if she is invited, and there are still rooms that she is not permitted in. Like the back bar, for example.
Well, our Rotary tour guide brought us to the entrance of the bar- the doors were wide open and several of the leather seats were filled with men drinking scotch on the rocks with cigars in hand- just like in the movies. And he said that we could look- so I kind of stepped into the bar, did a 360 degree turn, and stopped facing the bartender who politely told me that I had to leave.
Oops.
Adrien on the other hand, walked several meters into the bar while involved in a conversation with her friend Bryan who is here visiting from North Carolina, so she didn´t notice the nasty stares coming from all parts of the room, nor did she hear when the bartender told her to leave. After only about five seconds, she was encouraged (or escorted) out of the room. She had misunderstood when our guide had said that we could look- apparently she went a little too far.
I am sure that at some point, some woman had to have entered that room, although my best guess is that it was to clean it, and not to sit down for a drink. I find it funny that the Secretary of Defense in Chile is a woman, yet there still exists absurdities like this. Although we didn´t sit down, maybe the prescence of two women in business attire made an impression on the few men sitting in that exclusive room today.
On Another Note...
I threw a "Welcome to Your New Home" Party for my new roomate, Hector. Here's a pic of the toast to our health-
Salud!!
and the two of us with our matching wine stains.
Good times.
Playing Guide
This past weekend, I was able to play Guide to a group of skiiers from California, one of whom was the aunt of a very good friend of mine. On Saturday, we met up for a very good (although a bit expensive) dinner show with folkloric dances (they treated me, but I felt a bit guilty because I didn´t know how expensive it would be), and Sunday we went to the pre-colombian art musuem and the plaza downtown. At lunchtime, I escorted them through the metro and short bus ride to one of the malls in Santiago so they could get some last minute shopping done before heading out a few hours later.
I feel so lucky to be able to have experiences like that, even if they are only for a few hours long, in order to be able to share a bit of what I am learning while down here. Although not as extensive as a guide book, I hope I was able to make their short time in Santiago a bit more personal and more insightful than it might have been had I not been able to show them around a bit.
Roomate, School
I am getting a roomate next Tuesday- imported directly from Mexico!! Hahaha...he is a friend of my friend Gaby, also from Mexico. Since I have an extra bedroom in my apartment, now that Mom and Dad and Brother are gone, then I might as well try to rent it out. I don´t know long he will stay with me- maybe the semester, or maybe less time if he finds another place. But for the time being, it will be nice to share a place with someone that I can practice my Spanish with!!!
School
Classes are set in stone now- I will be taking Business Ethics, Finance, Spanish, Ethics in International Politics, and an art class. I should be pretty busy, but if I can, I might manage to fit in a belly dancing class to try and work off some of the curvage that I carry around with me!
Cutting
When I first got here, I noticed that old women liked to cut in line. Not just for the bathroom, but for anything- at the grocery store, the movies, waiting for the bus, etc. At first, I was very surprised and I think it was my shock that prevented me from saying anything. After it happened quite a few times, I figured that since I am young, I have the time to wait, so there really is no need to get mad at whatever person for having no patience nor tact, and that it is ok to let this cultural attribute slide.
But as of recently, I have noticed that it isn´t just old women that cut in line- it is young women, men, children...absolutely everyone here cuts if the opportunity is given. And it isn´t like they just don´t see me- I am not the Invisible Woman.
So is it a case of the early bird getting the worm? Well, I guess it depends on your perspective of who the early bird is- me, for getting there first any waiting my turn, or the Chilean for having the perogative to creep up into the two feet of space between myself and the person in line in front of me order from the cashier before I have the chance to say anything...
My brother noticed it while he was here as well- someone cut in front of us at the movies, people continually cut in front of him while waiting for the ski lift at the slopes, and at the grocery store, to name a few. He said that if he had spoken the language, he would have definitely said something and he asked my why I usually choose not to.
Normally, I don´t say anything because it really isn´t anything worth getting riled up about. But yesterday, while waiting in line to petition for an art class, a Chilean girl walks up and sees that five of us students are waiting in the foyer while the Director was occupied with another student. I was next. When the student came out of the Director´s office, the chick tried to go into the office and close the door! Ahead of us all! So....I said that I was waiting to speak with the Director (who by this time had answered a phone call). The girl mumbled to me to go ahead into the office (which I was already in the middle of doing anyways). But as soon as the Director got off the phone, she started having a conversation with her anyways! How rude!
After two minutes of conversation, the Director told her that she would need to wait until she was done helping me. When I came out of the office, the Chilean chick ran up before anyone else could and I didn´t say anything because it would have been pointless. But cutting totally negates the whole point of a line...
I guess I can´t get mad at Chileans for their culture not considering it rude to cut. But it still frustrates me to the point of wanting to say something.
Should I expect anything different?
Today was the first day I went to school (yesterday I was up in the north with Mom, Dad, and Miguel). My schedule said that my Ethics in International Politics class was in E15, a classroom in the Construction building. It seemed a little fishy to me, but I had to go to find out. Since I didn`t know where it was, I had to be pointed in the right direction. Upon arrival, it of course, was the wrong classroom. But should I have expected anything different?
After asking in three different offices, I was finally given the right classroom number and went on my happy little way. When I got to class, there were four students waiting...and no teacher. Ha ha. Of course.
So after waiting for forty-five minutes, I finally left. Next, I have to petition to be added to the finance class that I want as well as a mountaineering class. Hopefully those people are in their offices....
Santiago in 100 Words
Since coming to Santiago, I have always noticed the stories on the lighted billboard-like signs in the metro that showcase the winning entries in the contest that is put on every year by the city- Santiago en 100 Palabras (Santiago in 100 Words). I wrote the greatest piece that I am sure would have taken at least honorable mention because it is way better than some of the ones that I have read. Unfortunately, the deadline was this past Friday and I completely forgot to submit it. I was pissed when I realized it. Oh well. I may have my friend Natalia submit it for me next year. But for the time being, I am going to post it here so that those of you who speak Spanish will be able to enjoy it... Oh yeah, I think it actually might be a few words over one hundred because I didn´t really finish editing it. But here it is anyways...
En el Metro
Tuve prisa solo para esparar. Me gustaría no tener que ni escuchar a la flaquita cantante norteamericana que sale en todas las televisores y me muevo hacia donde llegara la primera caja. Quiero sentarme- me duelen los hombros. Ajusto mis pantalones que cada día se apretan más y trato ignorar el peso de la mirada del jóven. No tengo hambre pero mi impaciencia me hace querer algo. Saco el pan para el almuerzo y empiezo roerlo. Puedo comprar más. Mezclado con el ruido del metro, escucho un calvado murmurar "Mmmujer...marraqueta. Mi favorita." Mis mejillas se ponen rojas. Dudo que hablara del pan.
For those of you that don´t read Spanish, this is a narrative about being stared at and being subjected to what migth be translated as compliments but are usually received as unwarranted pick-up lines or flirtatious come-ons (but not really to pick you up). It isn´t an account of an actual occurance...it just came out when the pen started writing. :-)
In the Subway
After hurrying only to wait, I walk to where the first car should arrive in order to ignore the skinny American singer who is on all of the televisions. I want to sit down- my back and shoulders hurt. While adjusting my pants that are getting tighter every day, I try to ignore the heavy stare of the young man who is next to me. I´m not hungry but my impatience makes me want something. I take the bread that should be for lunch from its bag and begin to gnaw on it. I can buy more later. Mixed with the noise of the subway´s arrival, I hear a bald man murmur "Mmmmy lady...those buns are my favorite." My cheeks turn bright red. I doubt he was talking about the bread.
Hope you liked it. :-)
