Chekeitha

Okay, so what just happened? As I walk through the sinuous streets, I see some of the same sights but something is different. The same dotted hills, the same stray dogs wagging their tails, begging for attention. The same busy produce market. The same brilliantly blue ocean underneath a turquoise sky. But something is very different. This is Chile. The place that used to be a haven for weary souls. A place virtually untouched by racial discrimination that is experienced most other places around the world. Due to a wave of unexpected (non-European) immigration, xenophobia and racism have also arrived in Chile. The streets are colorful more than just architecturally now. There is color in the accents and in the faces of those who walk through the streets and many Chileans don't know how to handle ... read more

There’s no way to say it but to just say it I suppose. I started dating someone from my dance group…in secret…and on accident. I know that sounds really weird. Let me explain. I met him last year back in November when I joined classes at the YMCA. But like I mentioned in my last blog, I wasn’t too impressed with anything or anyone. My instructor made me dance with a chair, remember? And the “already cool people” that the instructor spent the majority of his time with? This guy was one of them. They were awesome dancers but, the class being separated by levels, I would never get the chance to dance with any of them. However, one of those guys started asking me to dance with him during the breaks. I didn’t think anything ... read more

I had an interview today at a girls' home in Valparaiso. This was after calling repeatedly for over a week by the way. Finally they told me to come in. I was Mary Poppins, my large umbrella in hand, dressed to the nines and puddle hopping in the steady rain. I was excited and just knew it'd be a GO. Eagerly, I waited underneath a bus stop awning a block away until it was time. Then I went in, professional, resume in hand. The director of the girls' home greeted me and invited me to her office. She began her spill by telling me that some of the girls have meltdowns from time to time. A few of them are traumatized from being removed from their families, or from things that happened to them with their ... read more

Finally, someone has come to visit me! My friend Kelsey came to visit me for 2 weeks and we had an AMAZING time. It's because we were both HIGH ENERGY. This was my kind of trip. We spent a week in Chile and a week in Peru seizing every day. We woke up in the mornings and walked until night fell. Although we're both foodies and ate like champions, we somehow managed to lose weight during this trip. Yes, we walked so much that we actually slimmed down. Haha! I'd always wanted to go to Peru but when I was a student, I didn't have the money so this was my chance. Plus, I've always wanted to share my Chilean treasure with someone from back home so they could experience this side of the world that ... read more

"Preparate", prepare yourself, they said. As I got home this morning at almost noon, I felt like I had been hit by a bus, my entire body sore. It was then that I understood that Chileans are not kidding! This was my first time celebrating the infamous 18th of September, Chilean Independence Day, or should I say Independence week? I am so excited to finally be here during this time! I've always wanted to do this and I've heard tons about how much fun it is. I haven't been disappointed! These last 3 days have been a whirlwind of cookout after cookout in various places. I was fed so much meat that I had to change into stretch pants! Chilean flags soared high and there were fireworks in the night sky. This was followed by fondas ... read more