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Published: September 24th 2008
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The Gringos!
Photo - Maria Beatriz Hello again friends and family!
I hope you all are well, because I certainly am. Saturday marked my second week in this foreign country, but perhaps it is not so foreign anymore. For example, I have since learned, like a native Chilean, to hold onto my bag as tightly as possible, lest it get stolen like mine was a mere week and a half ago. It happened to be the first night when there were other fellow students present (Thursday before last), and I must have been so excited at dinner to be speaking English once again that I didn’t even notice someone slip into the restaurant and slip out again into the night. Yes, with my bag. But no worries, the only things in it that I actually cared about were as follows:
1. A really cool-looking stainless steel water bottle I’d just gotten from REI
2. A book that contained only fifty more unread pages (The Omnivore’s Dilemma - I was very into it, and recommend it to anyone and everyone)
3. A brand new swiss army knife
Besides that there were simply maps, grammar books and sunglasses that I’ve discovered I can live without.
But bag or no bag, that dinner with a few new friends was the beginning of meeting many genuinely wonderful people. Last weekend there were quite a number of names to be learned, some awkward get-to-know-you/small talk type of events, and nights to ease into comfort with a bit of alcohol and lots of dancing. Before this trip had begun I’d been worried that the kind of people I’d meet would spend more time primping for a night out than spending that time learning Spanish with their families. As it turns out, however, those folks are nonexistent in this program. Instead of shying away from my fellow compatriots, I have since made friends with all of them, and with some much more closely than others. Everyone seems to care about learning the language and culture and traveling to places besides just a beach, and is so incredibly friendly and welcoming. Perhaps I am just saying this now, before we truly get to know each other, but I feel like I’ve already made some lasting friendships.
But enough with the wishy-washiness. This is my new family:
Manuel (“Papá”): A very cute man in his mid-sixties. Tall, with big bushy eyebrows. He might be my favorite family member, but perhaps that’s because I think he also likes me a lot. He wants to serve me food and tea all the time and then sit and talk while I eat, for breakfast especially. In fact, he likes to talk so much that for the past week I’ve been late to all my classes! He plays my guitar for hours (and extremely well, at that) and sings in a very deep voice, is the main cook of the family and is always wearing an apron, cracks jokes and is always smiling or laughing. He used to smoke a lot and drink lots of coffee but has since quit. He also sleeps about four hours a night but somehow manages to have a never-ending supply of energy. He slightly reminds me of my real father.
Verónica (“Mamá”): A very small and frail woman, who I at first thought was sad and tired all the time but later found out she has a lot of health issues. But everyone in the family always asks how she is and lovingly plants kisses on her cheeks. She is so kind, caring, and hospitable, but is for some reason the hardest to understand in the family, I think because she has more of an accent. She is a worrywart about some ridiculous things, which is funny at times but I’m sure adds to her stress. If she had a bit more energy, she might just resemble my real mother also.
Leonardo (“Leo”): The oldest son in the family (at 31), and the only one who I haven’t met. He is currently working in Atlanta, while his wife and very adorable three-year-old daughter, Catalina, live here in Conce and visit the house sometimes.
Alejandro (“Jano”): Age thirty. Lives here in Conce but in his own house. He also plays the guitar, and just as well as his father. He is a doctor who is the director of a hospital nearby, and we see him at times but he’s usually busy. It’s lots of fun when he comes over because he gets along well with the sisters and when they’re all together it’s very comical.
Verónica (“Vero”): My favorite sibling. 27 years old and studying architecture. She’s skinny, full of energy, has bursts of laughter, and pops out her eyes when excited. Plays violin and flute, and sometimes guitar. I think we have bonded the most.
Lorena (“Lore”): 23 years old, also very smiley. Seeing as how we’re closest in age you’d assume we’d be very close relationship-wise, but I think she’s still shy around me because she doesn’t speak any English. But none of the other family members do either so I don’t know why she’s still like that. All in good time, and I’m sure we’ll end up at some discoteque together.
The Dog (“Mota”): I think her name means lint. She is a short and squat - and linty (surprise!) - and she has conjunctivitis.
Next time I shall write about the holidays - feliz dieciocho!
Newly discovered facts/observations about this place:
A typical Chilean diet consists of some form of meat, cheese, and bread. All my favorites.
Everyone plays, at the very least, one instrument (as demonstrated by my familia - and even more so by my extended family. I just haven’t introduced them yet.)
The traditional dance here is called the Cueca, and involves much twirling of napkins and people.
I am the youngest person in the program.
“Gringo” here refers to any American.
People don’t drink water. There’s either juice or soda, coffee or tea, beer or wine. I still go for the water, and have accepted the crazy looks that come with it.
The national liquor here is called “pizco,” the mixed drink a “pizco sour.” Tastes slightly like a margarita but ten times stronger, in terms of both alcohol and lime. There is also “pizcola” (pizco and coke), “ponche” (wine and fruit), and something I forgot the name of made with wine and coke. I never thought that last one would ever be acceptable, but I think I’d actually go for that one the most. Or water, of course (don’t worry, I’m not a drunkard over here or anything).
My family loves classical music.
Some interesting, yet extremely useful, translations:
“Carretear” - “to go out” (to a club, bar, whatever)
“Weón” - Meaning “dude,” but with more approximately the same meaning as “cabrón” (sp?) in Mexican Spanish.
“Bakán” - “Cool”
More for later. I got sick this past weekend after traveling to a different city so I really need my sleep. But I love you all. Hasta luego!
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