That being said, why haven't I been posting? I got started with an advisor here on my thesis--about constructing the idea of the Chilean nation post-independence, and literature's roll in that--and finally found a way to be dancing four days a week. After a week of studying for tests I spent the following, unlike my usual behavior, trying my best to get out of the house and hang out with people at night. I've made a couple new Chilean friends lately and that's exciting. I haven't been seeing Dennise as much as I'd like to be, and that's frustrating! But, the week goes by quickly with work and activties and during the weekends I've found I want to take it easy and hang alone, or with Susana, or with the various people I didn't have time to hang with during the week. I tend to feel silly that I have this feeling of stress to find social time when on the other hand I feel stress for not having more chilean friends. Goodness!
This weekend I went a few hours south with an organization called Un Techo Para Chile and built an emergency house called a "mediagua" for a family whose home was destroyed by the earthquake. Although there was some disorganization, it was a great experience. We got to know the family a bit; they were so lovely. Many houses got put up, and the organization exceeded its goal of 20,000 mediaguas a couple of weeks ago. I met some interesting people, more americans!, and was lucky to have chosen a weekend that in the end was sunny and beautiful for the work. It was refreshing to travel a bit and be outside. I went by myself which made it great for bouncing around to get to know a bunch of different people. And, ended up alreadying knowing some people on the trip. Too much english was being spoken! Unfortunately, that's just how it is.
The semester is flying by and I'm not sure what to think! I have a growing anxiety about leaving--I'm used to being me HERE now. And then I'll go back and have to wiggle my way into the me that's THERE. But, I also have a growing longing to be back in New York, and Kenyon. I'm so excited for my last year, and so glad I'll have this refreshing approach to it. I'll also have to prepare myself. School down here is totally different, with much more time to live while studying. Whereas over at Kenyon, most of the time spent "living" is paired with "i have 200 pages to read and essay to write what am i doinnggg right now." Hah, but, that has it's own unique charm to it. And I'm looking forward to that. And for the pizza/diner coffee/real coffee/broadway strolls/summer nights/fire island/friends/glam etc. that awaits me in New York. I've found myself thinking this year, maybe I won't end up in New York, and yet I know that if that's the case, it'll be in some time. Because for now, I hate the idea that it's been going on for so long without me.
On Mother's Day in Horcon, a fisherman's town about an hour and half from Valparaíso.
The town, like many coastal towns, has greattt empanadas. Crab and cheese! Yumm.
We ate that this restaurant later in the day. Had a "Paila Marina," a shellfish/fish soup.
Dad, we tried that together!
A view of Horcon during sunset.
A shot of my neighborhood.
A few weeks back Susana and I biked about 12 miles along the coast.
When we passed through Reñaca.
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