Cause this post is even more overdue. I'm sure the elections are madness in the US, or at least that's what the New York Times tells me, but here they matter too. A surprising amount. I've talked with every Chilean I know about them, literally. And they don't bring them up because they know I'm American, just because. (Funny sidenote: at parties or gatherings I go with my host family too, no one asks who I am. They just figure I'm a random friend, who's quiet, but Chilean)
What I've learned:
1. It is embarrassing how little we know about world politics. Not only can most Chileans tell us the names of the candidates and their party, but last week I listened to a debate about the electoral college, and how they thought it was undemocratic. Everyone kept asking me why we weren't outraged by it. I seriously doubt if the average person in the US can explain what the electoral college is. Although again, this year may change everything.
2. Sound bites-the worst ones are always translated-such as Arnold and his comments that Obama needed to do some squats and but some meat on his legs (and policies)
Related: my host mom asked me what I thought about Sarah Palin running in 2012 before I even knew.
3. Our situation affects so much more than ourselves. The entire world is looking at this election as make or break. Most people couldn't tell you about the specifics of either candidates positions on any issue, but they can tell you McCain is Bush and if Obama doesn't win then they are worried. Just look at the financial situation. When I got here 1 usd was worth 475 chilean pesos. But all of Latin and South America have put their financial trust in the dollar, if it falls they fall. In a month, the dollar has gained 200 more pesos and is sitting steady at 670 pesos.
4. A low voter turnout is an atonishing idea. Everyone here votes on the same day-even if the election is local. So last Sunday, every Chilean was showing off their newly inked thumbprint, it was a source of pride. Even the president showed off hers. Another sidenote: I read on Fox News ( I know-i was going against the grain and expanding my horizons) that the expected voter turnout is projected at 80%? That is ridic high. But true? Anyone?
But the system works a little different. No one is obligated to vote, but once you register you have to vote, and you vote in the same district you're entire life. And absolutely nothing, other than the buses and other forms of transportation is open. Even the mall closes. That's serious. :) Although it helps it's on a Sunday-who wants to work anyways?
I've lost all focus. Needless to say I think I would be ashamed to tell people I wasn't voting. Which is why I'm triple checking and faxing my ballot (after I sent one in and a special write-in for AZ) tomorrow. Speaking of which won't it be amazing if my vote ended up counting and making a real difference. Obama did buy advertisement time in Az. The whole world's a changing.
Lots of love, I want to hear all your voices rather than just update a blog so skype me! and give me your cell phone number if I don't already have it. Technology has become cheap!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Short Life Update
So I've decided I'm really not that good at this whole blogging thing.
But some quick updates-October=good month. But I really hate global warming-I was so excited for this month to be hot and sunny so I could spend the whole month at the beach, but no-it's been overcast and sometimes cold for the last two weeks. I'm becoming too much like Jules, I need the sunshine. So today was amazing that I got to wake up from a nap and see the sunshine out my window. A beach afternoon on the pier was required.
Mostly this weekend I just realized that I'm practically leaving. It's November 2, Jules gets here in 3 weeks and on November 28 we're leaving Chile. And then I have three in a half weeks on traveling in Peru and Ecuador before going home.
Now it is starting to get real-and I want to make sure I make the most of the next weeks. My spanish is semi-conversational, but it could definitely be better. And I want to spend more time with my host family, cause in some ways I feel like I don't know them yet. But I am really happy being here. Taking a break from your life and going to a place where no one knows you is liberating, although scarier than expected when you don't speak the language. I'm so glad I had this opportunity. It's funny, I was out a friend's house on Friday and her dad asked me "what have you learned other than Spanish?" I think I'm still in the process of answering that, but mostly about myself. Learning what it's like to be alone, or truly independent, when you security blanket of school and family isn't there; learning how to really be outgoing, when you have a small command on the language; and learning to let go of the little things.
I love how Chilean culture runs on it's own time. What that time exactly is mostly remains a mystery to me, but makes perfect sense to all Chileans. For example, stores in Valpo don't usually have a set schedule. Sometimes they're open. Many times and anything remotely resembling a holdiday they are not. And lunch can be a half an hour, 2 hours, or the rest of the day. I thought this would annoy me more, but I like how people don't see the need to worry about profit and productivity every second of the day. I once tried to explain my schedule at school and what I would do on any normal day, and my sister's boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy. He didn't understand how I went to classes, lived on campus next door to boys, worked, had extracurriculars related to school, and had time to spend with friends or not being busy. The idea of multitasking and effieciency were not translating and not because of a language barrier. It's literally undesirable to have that many commitments here. "How do you have time to breathe?" he asked me. I know I was busy last year, but I saw that as a desirable thing. Now, maybe having nights with nothing to do is a good thing. Life doesn't need a constant plan-the best things are the unexpected.
But some quick updates-October=good month. But I really hate global warming-I was so excited for this month to be hot and sunny so I could spend the whole month at the beach, but no-it's been overcast and sometimes cold for the last two weeks. I'm becoming too much like Jules, I need the sunshine. So today was amazing that I got to wake up from a nap and see the sunshine out my window. A beach afternoon on the pier was required.
Mostly this weekend I just realized that I'm practically leaving. It's November 2, Jules gets here in 3 weeks and on November 28 we're leaving Chile. And then I have three in a half weeks on traveling in Peru and Ecuador before going home.
Now it is starting to get real-and I want to make sure I make the most of the next weeks. My spanish is semi-conversational, but it could definitely be better. And I want to spend more time with my host family, cause in some ways I feel like I don't know them yet. But I am really happy being here. Taking a break from your life and going to a place where no one knows you is liberating, although scarier than expected when you don't speak the language. I'm so glad I had this opportunity. It's funny, I was out a friend's house on Friday and her dad asked me "what have you learned other than Spanish?" I think I'm still in the process of answering that, but mostly about myself. Learning what it's like to be alone, or truly independent, when you security blanket of school and family isn't there; learning how to really be outgoing, when you have a small command on the language; and learning to let go of the little things.
I love how Chilean culture runs on it's own time. What that time exactly is mostly remains a mystery to me, but makes perfect sense to all Chileans. For example, stores in Valpo don't usually have a set schedule. Sometimes they're open. Many times and anything remotely resembling a holdiday they are not. And lunch can be a half an hour, 2 hours, or the rest of the day. I thought this would annoy me more, but I like how people don't see the need to worry about profit and productivity every second of the day. I once tried to explain my schedule at school and what I would do on any normal day, and my sister's boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy. He didn't understand how I went to classes, lived on campus next door to boys, worked, had extracurriculars related to school, and had time to spend with friends or not being busy. The idea of multitasking and effieciency were not translating and not because of a language barrier. It's literally undesirable to have that many commitments here. "How do you have time to breathe?" he asked me. I know I was busy last year, but I saw that as a desirable thing. Now, maybe having nights with nothing to do is a good thing. Life doesn't need a constant plan-the best things are the unexpected.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Carnaval de Mil Tambores 2008
I know I haven't updated. But I have been talking to people about Mil Tambores and decided that visuals might help. More life updates soon! Love you all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6lEKyAudis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6lEKyAudis
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
It's been a while...
But that's mostly because I've been in Buenos Aires or on a bus for the last week. And I absolutely loved it.
Okay so a full 24 hour day of traveling isn't my favorite, but if the new result is a city I've never been to in a foreign country with Jules and Linda then it's vale la pena (worth it). And Nicole is an amazing traveling buddy and I wouldn't have had as much fun without her.
My second time to Argentina went much more smoothly,I didn't get stuck in the Andes, even though it took hours to cross the border on the way there. So a quick overview, talk to me if you want more details...we explored San Telmo near our hostel, Belgrano, Recoleta, downtown, etc. spent a day in Tigre. Ate plenty of meat and other "Argentine" foods. Drank plenty of wine (we were with Jules). Watched tango in the Plaza (and for a second considered trying before we realized it was out of out league). Ran into old friends and fellow travelers. Made new friends. Had one of my best nights in South America at La Bomba del Tiempo, a live drum show, concert, dance party all wrapped up into one.
And this is what I learned:
1. Never travel with foreign currency unless it is US Dollars. It was ridiculously difficult to find a place to exchange Chilean pesos for Argentine. Funny how they are neighbors but would rather have the USD.
2. I'm not going to beat myself up about my Spanish, because it has been confirmed. Chileans do not annunciate and have poor pronounciation in comparison with most other countries. So if I leave here understanding everyone and keep practicing, and taking classes however much I don't like them, then I will become fluent. It took me a few days to get used to Argentine Castellano, but once I got over the "ll" as a "j" and "vos" not "tu" I could understand them. It isn't that Chileans change verb tenses or sounds of letters. They just see some constants as option and it as unnecessary to pronounce a word in it's entirety. Don't get me wrong, I like mimicking it "gracia" "porfa" "no te precupe" "naa ma" are fun to say. But it can be extremely hard to understand at times when you combine that with incredible quick speech.
3. It's weird seeing friends completely settled and comfortable in a new atmosphere, or more so, it's different seeing them in "their" city and it not being yours as well. But it's good too. It shows that apart we can make our own worlds for ourselves and if our old friendships are strong enough, they won't be any less important in a new setting. And that's comforting to have a secure knowledge of your true friends, especially when there are days where everything here can feel so unsteady or temporary.
4. I'm so happy I picked Valparaiso. I liked Buenos Aires, but at the same time it felt like a large city anywhere. Before going I thought Valpo was heavily influenced by the US. And in some ways it is. But I can't go to a Pizza Hut or McDonalds on every other corner, or go places and expect the store clerk, street vendor, or waiter to speak English. I think Valpo has more character than most cities I've seen. It's smaller, but it's beautiful and unique without trying to be. The hills, the art, and the ocean are all part of everyday life. Yes, there are touristy areas, but the city doesn't appear to cater to tourists. I never expect anyone to speak anything other than Spanish to me, and the city is small enough that a random conversation on the street doesn't have to be sketchy.
Okay so a full 24 hour day of traveling isn't my favorite, but if the new result is a city I've never been to in a foreign country with Jules and Linda then it's vale la pena (worth it). And Nicole is an amazing traveling buddy and I wouldn't have had as much fun without her.
My second time to Argentina went much more smoothly,I didn't get stuck in the Andes, even though it took hours to cross the border on the way there. So a quick overview, talk to me if you want more details...we explored San Telmo near our hostel, Belgrano, Recoleta, downtown, etc. spent a day in Tigre. Ate plenty of meat and other "Argentine" foods. Drank plenty of wine (we were with Jules). Watched tango in the Plaza (and for a second considered trying before we realized it was out of out league). Ran into old friends and fellow travelers. Made new friends. Had one of my best nights in South America at La Bomba del Tiempo, a live drum show, concert, dance party all wrapped up into one.
And this is what I learned:
1. Never travel with foreign currency unless it is US Dollars. It was ridiculously difficult to find a place to exchange Chilean pesos for Argentine. Funny how they are neighbors but would rather have the USD.
2. I'm not going to beat myself up about my Spanish, because it has been confirmed. Chileans do not annunciate and have poor pronounciation in comparison with most other countries. So if I leave here understanding everyone and keep practicing, and taking classes however much I don't like them, then I will become fluent. It took me a few days to get used to Argentine Castellano, but once I got over the "ll" as a "j" and "vos" not "tu" I could understand them. It isn't that Chileans change verb tenses or sounds of letters. They just see some constants as option and it as unnecessary to pronounce a word in it's entirety. Don't get me wrong, I like mimicking it "gracia" "porfa" "no te precupe" "naa ma" are fun to say. But it can be extremely hard to understand at times when you combine that with incredible quick speech.
3. It's weird seeing friends completely settled and comfortable in a new atmosphere, or more so, it's different seeing them in "their" city and it not being yours as well. But it's good too. It shows that apart we can make our own worlds for ourselves and if our old friendships are strong enough, they won't be any less important in a new setting. And that's comforting to have a secure knowledge of your true friends, especially when there are days where everything here can feel so unsteady or temporary.
4. I'm so happy I picked Valparaiso. I liked Buenos Aires, but at the same time it felt like a large city anywhere. Before going I thought Valpo was heavily influenced by the US. And in some ways it is. But I can't go to a Pizza Hut or McDonalds on every other corner, or go places and expect the store clerk, street vendor, or waiter to speak English. I think Valpo has more character than most cities I've seen. It's smaller, but it's beautiful and unique without trying to be. The hills, the art, and the ocean are all part of everyday life. Yes, there are touristy areas, but the city doesn't appear to cater to tourists. I never expect anyone to speak anything other than Spanish to me, and the city is small enough that a random conversation on the street doesn't have to be sketchy.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Parque Cultural Ex-Carcel
Kate you're cheating if you read this before talking to me.
Estoy teniendo un buen dia.
So this is skipping way ahead of Mendoza and my weekend; kinda. I have to report on something cultural for my comunicacion y cultura clase and I picked the parque cultural ex-carcel after going there on Friday with a friend. So I ventured out alone this morning to go again and talk to people, take notes, pictures, etc. I was told there were tour guides who wandered around but I hadn't seen one and so I showed myself around. I have lots of pictures and as soon as I work out the kinks in Flickr or move to a different sight they will be up. The place is a former prison that closed nine years ago and is now a cultural park of sorts. The cells were converted into artists workshops and the walls of the surrounding yards are covered in graffiti art some commissioned, most not. People play soccer, or have drum sessions, or if I understood right trapeze artists perform? I know that sounds like it was lost in translation, but I think I might be right. In colonial times it was a fortress for the Spainards to protect Valparaiso from the pirates.
Anyways, so I'm getting ready to leave and go home and a security guard appears out of nowhere and starts talking to me. Which is perfect, cause I had to talk to someone for my report and so far had only found a Spainish couple who didn't know much more than me. Anyways he gives me the grand tour again and then when I think he's walking me out, he takes me inside the building and to this locked room with stairs. That sounded sketchy but I swear it wasn't. He tells me to watch my step and leads me out stairs in the old guards path that rises above and circles the entire compound. It was so badass. He told me it wasn't part of the tour, but he was doing just for me. He said it was a safety risk, although I didn't know liability existed in Chile. So I got a view of the whole city and compound from where the guards guarded. At one point I understood the safety thing, because the path broke in two directions and we took the one that cut across the compound. This is where the railing disappeared and I have trying to keep up with a fifty year old as he deftly crossed a 18 inch path 20 some feet in the air, including stairs. I'm glad he didn't see my face, cause at one point I wasn't so sure it was a good idea. But it was completely worth it. I got amazing pictures, made a new friend, and did another thing completely in Spanish and by myself. I like how I'm slowly gaining my independence back.
Oh, and I found kick ass boots 2 for $20 usd on the way home.
Estoy teniendo un buen dia.
So this is skipping way ahead of Mendoza and my weekend; kinda. I have to report on something cultural for my comunicacion y cultura clase and I picked the parque cultural ex-carcel after going there on Friday with a friend. So I ventured out alone this morning to go again and talk to people, take notes, pictures, etc. I was told there were tour guides who wandered around but I hadn't seen one and so I showed myself around. I have lots of pictures and as soon as I work out the kinks in Flickr or move to a different sight they will be up. The place is a former prison that closed nine years ago and is now a cultural park of sorts. The cells were converted into artists workshops and the walls of the surrounding yards are covered in graffiti art some commissioned, most not. People play soccer, or have drum sessions, or if I understood right trapeze artists perform? I know that sounds like it was lost in translation, but I think I might be right. In colonial times it was a fortress for the Spainards to protect Valparaiso from the pirates.
Anyways, so I'm getting ready to leave and go home and a security guard appears out of nowhere and starts talking to me. Which is perfect, cause I had to talk to someone for my report and so far had only found a Spainish couple who didn't know much more than me. Anyways he gives me the grand tour again and then when I think he's walking me out, he takes me inside the building and to this locked room with stairs. That sounded sketchy but I swear it wasn't. He tells me to watch my step and leads me out stairs in the old guards path that rises above and circles the entire compound. It was so badass. He told me it wasn't part of the tour, but he was doing just for me. He said it was a safety risk, although I didn't know liability existed in Chile. So I got a view of the whole city and compound from where the guards guarded. At one point I understood the safety thing, because the path broke in two directions and we took the one that cut across the compound. This is where the railing disappeared and I have trying to keep up with a fifty year old as he deftly crossed a 18 inch path 20 some feet in the air, including stairs. I'm glad he didn't see my face, cause at one point I wasn't so sure it was a good idea. But it was completely worth it. I got amazing pictures, made a new friend, and did another thing completely in Spanish and by myself. I like how I'm slowly gaining my independence back.
Oh, and I found kick ass boots 2 for $20 usd on the way home.
Friday, August 22, 2008
So, completely off topic
I have more to say about Mendoza but I wanted to share my amazing feats today.
I ran errands and was a competent person this morning. I argued to get a refund on my bus ticket and ended filing a reclaim because they told me after 4 dias they couldn't refund my ticket at the office. I returned a converter that the salesman at Easy told me would work on my computer and didn't and got a free voucher out of it. And I chatted with street venders to try to get a deal on a dictionary that I definitely need. I was so on top of things today!
And it feels great to finally be able to do those completely normal things by myself. No I didn't use perfect Spanish, yes I did get asked where I was from 4 times, but I'm starting to realize that may just come with the territory.
I ran errands and was a competent person this morning. I argued to get a refund on my bus ticket and ended filing a reclaim because they told me after 4 dias they couldn't refund my ticket at the office. I returned a converter that the salesman at Easy told me would work on my computer and didn't and got a free voucher out of it. And I chatted with street venders to try to get a deal on a dictionary that I definitely need. I was so on top of things today!
And it feels great to finally be able to do those completely normal things by myself. No I didn't use perfect Spanish, yes I did get asked where I was from 4 times, but I'm starting to realize that may just come with the territory.
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