Apuntes
- It´s a good thing I like Nescafe, because that is the perferred coffee of Chile. On the street, you can by a little brown plastic cup with a heap of sugar for about 40 cents.
- There are lots of sad and adorable dogs roaming the streets of Santiago. Most carry fleas, I´m told, so it is best to resist petting them!
- Chileans don´t like it when U.S. citizens identify themselves as Americans. We were always aware of this at McGraw-Hill I recall, and rightly so!
- The water really does go down counterclockwise!
- In Santiago, you can watch My Name is Earl on TV, listen to Fergie on the radio, and get munchkins at Dunkin Donuts! I asked our waiter today where he picked up English, and he told me HBO!
I feel as though I´ve been in smoggy and cosmopolitan Santiago a long time, even though I´ve seen very little. My first 48 hours here have been occupied with lots of practicalities, getting the information for our residence cards together and trying take in everything we can about the Chilean educational system and teaching in all day workshops from 9-6. Luckily, these are punctuated by ample breaks for Nescafe.
My roommates are a diverse group. I met Katie, from upstate New York, while I was at the airport. Claire is South African, and Dodi is a woman in her 50s from Montana. In general though, most of the volunteers are younger than I am. Many graduated less than a month ago. All are especially friendly and outgoing--leaving our door open to the hall, walking in packs, crashing on my top bunk, and lining up for chow at the hostel, it´s a bit like being a freshman again. Living this life the past two days, I realize how much I´ve changed in the past three years since college, and how much I have to be greateful for--a great life in the fabulous city of Chicago, a boyfriend who took me on so many fun adventures, a career, an apartment that felt like home, and friends who made it feel that way. Sinking into my bunk bed last night, I realized how much I had changed my life, practically overnight!
Santiago is cold, and it gets dark at six--I´m wearing a hat and scarf here in the Internet cafe. Oddly enough, I miss that disgusting sweaty summer city grit that used to get all over my arns while I was biking around Chicago.
I´ll try to keep up writing regularly, and e-mailing too. I miss everyone, but I´m having a good time too.
Lots of love,
Elizabeth
2 comments:
I layed down in the square by that eagle monument yesterday to rest for a bit. I miss knowing that you're here in the neighborhood. I think what you're doing wi;l be excellent for you.
It's okay to be a freshman again.
-JEFF
Your comment about Nescafe made me bust out laughing! The description of meeting your new bunk mates brought back a lot of happy memories. I too am glad that I've had 3 years of "real world" experience before tackling the globe once more. Best of luck, and keep track of all the new things you experience and think and feel while you can. You'll look back later and be amazed that you ever thought they were strange!
<3 <3 <3
Annie
Post a Comment