I am officially a "gringa"

And so it begins...

Hey! I am in Chile. Welcome! Welcome! 

I have found myself rewriting this entry five plus times because it is frustrating to convey my understanding of the Chilean culture and the city of Santiago when my perceptions of this place are constantly changing. And to say anything about this complex country at this point seems premature, so I will stick to a few details of my journey thus far and a list of “chilenismos” for those of you interested in coming here one day. The pictures are for your viewing pleasure and yes, for those of you I haven’t told already, I can see the Andes from my room!

Sunset in Algarrobo

The first few days of orientation were spent in the coastal town of Algarrobo. Here, we got to see our first Chilean sunset over the Pacific Ocean, drink our first pisco sour as we toasted to a new adventure and experience our first class with instructors who do not speak English. Although it took time to get adjusted to learning in Spanish, I couldn’t have been happier and more inspired to listen to Roberto (my academic director) speak of social justice, equal education and diversity in another language.

The view from my apartment

Three days later, we returned to Santiago and met our families for the first time. I am living with Mercedes Carreno and her daughter in an apartment in el Centro de Santiago. I walk about eight to twelve blocks every day to Casa SIT, where I have my seminars, or to la Universidad de Alberto Hurtado, where I take Spanish class. Adjustment to life in the city, to life in a Chilean city, has been an interesting one. It has taken me this past week to figure out the metro (probably one of the best public transportation systems in the world), determine where the good cafes are and accept the fact that I will be spoken to everywhere I go because I am a “gringa del sol” (white girl of the sun= blonde).

At the top of Santa Lucia!

For the past four days I have spent my afternoons and evenings exploring as much of Santiago as I can. With over a third of Chile’s entire population living in Santiago, you can imagine how evident the complexity and history of this country is in the daily life here. It seems that simply walking around without a set plan inevitably leads to a new coffee shop, hidden gallery, weird store that only sells rubber (or glass or doorknobs, etc.), old bookstore or important place in history. I know everyone says something like that, but it's true- not having a plan is sometimes the best way to go. 

Just a few pretty cool things that have happened since I arrived: 1) I was interviewed for a television show called “Loco por Chile!” that will be aired in the U.S. later on this year 2) I saw the symphony from the Universidad de Santiago perform for the opening of a new cultural arts center 3) I made friends with the guard of the apartment complex where I live- he works on his English with me (“good afternoon,” “Hi, I am Hugh Charles,” and so forth **by the way, his name is Hugo Carlos**) 4) I watched my  first Spanish soap opera with my Chilean family

Chilenismos

-add “ito” or “ita” to everything- cafecita, camacita, etc. etc. etc.

-drop the s from all words

-“te tinca?” = “you think?”

-pacos= cops à As in, “voy a llamar los pacos” (I’m going to call the cops)

-add “po” to the end of sentences

And the list goes on and on ….

I will be excited to record my thoughts again in a week or so when I am more familiar with life here. Also, the next two weeks are huge for all of Chile- September 11^th marks the 37^th anniversary of the day that the dictatorship of Pinochet began and I will be going to the annual human rights march through the city AND September 18^th marks the 200^th year anniversary of Chile’s independence from Spain. Lots of memories, lots of fiestas and lots of protests. It should be interesting!

Until next time, 

Leah