Elba: "To Chile!, to the U.S.! to West Virginia! to Tricia and Bill!"

I hope everyone at home had a wonderful New Years! I was pretty jealous when I heard just about everyone in the world saw my friends but me=/ haha I was certainly thinking about everyone on Wednesday night, but I also had a great experience here.  We started out by going the Guaman’s house for dinner. A few women were there to prepare the meal just like at Giovanna at our house. I don’t think I will ever get used to people serving me unless I go to a restaurant! After that we went to the beach to bring in the New Year with fireworks and of course, champagne. There’s a huge light up clock on the mountainside and when it struck midnight the fireworks began! It was really exciting=)

Camilo and I had bought tickets for VIP in Sala Murano for that night so we headed over there around 2. VIP here is not like VIP at home. There were a ton of people. The theme was “Four Elements” which were Earth, Fire, Wind and Water haha kind of like the Power Rangers!  There was a dude shooting foam and water out of a bazooka looking thing apparently the fire eater was supposed to be there but he got in an accident and couldn’t make it…seriously! So there was no fire element after all. I had a lot of fun dancing, but became really tired around 6 AM and decided to call it a night. Camilo was disappointed because it was “so early” to go home, so I told him to stay and he did until about 9:30!  I’m telling you, these Latinos really are crazy. I just can’t hang haha. This makes me think of a song!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXHXSqkq_tg

Waiting for midnight!

Feliz Ano Nuevo y mucho prosperidad en 2009 y siempre!

Elba told me this saying in my first week here, but I didn’t really consider the meaning of this phrase until recently. One afternoon at lunch, we were discussing how Juan Carlos’ brother was having a rough time because he had a lot of cattle and depended on the sale of their milk. I asked why he was having a hard time and they said, “Because of the recession, of course!” Call me naïve, or stupid, but I didn’t realize other countries were having economic hardships as a result of the problems in the U.S. Turns out the saying is right- so many countries, especially China, depend on sales to the U.S. and when Americans aren’t able to pay, that means a loss for them.

Here are some facts from an article in Foreign Policy-

China: The world’s fastest-growing economy can’t help but be affected when the world’s largest economy slows down, since China relies on exports to the United States as one of its main sources of growth. In recent years, China has boasted double-digit growth. Officially, Chinese economists expect growth to slow down to 9 percent in the wake of a U.S. recession, but only if such a recession is mild, lasting two quarters. If the U.S. recession is severe—four quarters or more—and is centered on a faltering U.S. consumer who buys fewer Chinese goods, then China’s growth is likely to slow to 6 or 7 percent, a hard landing, indeed.

Latin America: Chile’s got copper; Brazil’s got minerals; Argentina’s got livestock and feed. They’ll have to scrounge to sell these and other commodities elsewhere if the United States and China isn’t buying as much as before. Prices of commodities could fall by 20 to 30 percent in a U.S. recession followed by a sharp economic slowdown. (http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10398)

Further, people in third world countries like Haiti who were already struggling to get by on something like $2.00 a day are now facing extremely desperate situations.

It’s funny how I’ve been trained to think about everything going on in the U.S. for so long that I didn’t even consider the effects of our recession on other countries. I mean, we’re pretty self-centered in the U.S. Millions of people have died in the past few years in Darfur, but we might only see a 10 second clip about it on the news and then the reporter moves on to “top news” like Britney Spears not wearing underwear. We’ve clearly got to get our priorities straightened out. Further, as someone in a journalistic field, I’m a little embarrassed by the lack of quality journalism anymore. No wonder the public trust for journalists has significantly declined.

Well anyways, I’m just on one of rants again. I know this is all common knowledge for many people, but being in another country has made me consider things from others’ points of view. I also learned about the U.S. intervention in Chile with Allende in the 70’s but I won’t start talking about that now because no one would read it anyways!

I’ll just end with some food for thought. Every day I buy the newspaper here, and everyday I read something about Bush or Obama or something going on in the U.S. On the nightly news, it’s the same deal. The majority of Chileans are pretty well-informed on world happenings. Now, quiz for the day: Who can name the President of Chile without looking it up? Hmmm…

Part of the hot spring at Pica

Yayy I can check another thing off of my list- I got to go to Pica this weekend! I freaked out for a minute because we were supposed to leave at 10 and noone was awake at 11, but I tried to remember my own advice about Latino time and sure enough we left the house by 1:00! We stopped at Santa Laura on the way where there was an abandoned mining town. The way things were run was just the way our coal mines were run in West Virginia with everyone living in the town run by the mine owner. Everyone who lived there worked in the mines and got paid with token kinda things so they could buy food from the store on the property. I think the salt mine stopped production when the Germans figured out how to produce it synthetically. Anyways, it was interesting to see.

Then we went on to Pica, an oasis town. We drove and drove and drove and saw nothing on either side but desert for a long time, and then all of a sudden there was a tree, and then another, and then a whole little town full of fruit trees and flowers! The thing I wanted to do the most was go to the hot spring. The water was nice and warm but not really hot, and it was beautiful- little caves and everything. I just wish there weren’t so many people. There were a ton of kids splashing around, and I really just wanted to relax. Haha I sound so old! Camilo put the “medicinal mud” all over my face. I might just be imagining it, but I think my red nose really was better after!

I also had the best juice EVER! Well in the morning for breakfast I had fresh squeezed orange juice, and I intend to never buy orange from a carton ever again. Then before we left Pica I had fresh mango juice. Ahhh sooo good. Mango is my favorite fruit and I love that I can have it here whenever I want and it’s not even expensive! I’m beginning to realize that it will be a very rude awakening when I step off of the plane in Pittsburgh in a few weeks with my sweater and boots and no mangos haha. I’ve also recently become obsessed with avocado. They eat it with everything here. I think I’ll be changing my normal menu when I get home because of this trip!

Me and Camilo (Juanca and Elba's son) at Santa Laura. Yes, I know my sunglasses take over my face.

Mmm I had mango con leche (milk) and they had natural mango juice- both were amazing! I wish I could have this everyday!

I wasn't able to fully capture the beauty of the desert sunset

I love, love, love the music here. Not only is reggaeton everywhere, but the best American songs are always on the radio. I heard The Cranberries “Linger” the other day and was so excited haha. So here are some of the most popular Reggaeton songs in Chile right now:

• “Pose”  (Daddy Yankee?? RMX not sure) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pwIiGsAOco
• Siguelo (Wisin and Yandel) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRLcbhkrI0g
• Pa Que La Pases Bien (Arcangel) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZEK1OJ5SCA
• Lento, Lento, Lento (Alexis and Fido) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KmfJw4oMyQ
• Morire (La Factoria) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZ0Q3fgz3M
• Solo Dime Que Si (Tito “El Bambino) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-B9NXY5GiQ
• Na De Na (Angel and Khritz ft. Goncho and John Eric) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyOIn3I25io
• Salgo Pa La Calle (Daddy Yankee ft. Randy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJvz-cbnILI
• Llamado De Emergencia (Daddy Yankee) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SfgQmlRMuo
• Permitame (Tony Dize and Yandel) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W43bXB6jsww
• Fuera Del Planeta (Jowell and Randy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHz9vSeSQGQ
• Una Noche En La Playa (Big Yamo) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2fQXL-UAw
• Nada Va a Pasar (Yaga and Mackie, Arcangel) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNaA91ApvY4

Just click on the Youtube links to hear them! They make you want to dance even if you don’t understand what they’re saying=)

Delivering a gift to my Christmas baby, Israel

Merry Christmas everyone!! This was my first year away from my family, and I certainly miss being with them especially during such an important time of the year. I really enjoyed a lot of the customs the Chileans have, and I’m so grateful for my great experience, but it also really made me appreciate my family more. That always seems to happen when I go away. I mean, let’s face it, nothing can beat my mom’s amazing food! and I love just sitting by the fire and watching family videos. This year was definitely different for me, but my favorite part of this year’s Christmas was when we delivered our gifts to the underpriviledged children in the area.

Elba picked up a few letters from the post office from kids who wrote to Santa asking for a gift because their families could not afford to get them anything. We bought and wrapped the gifts and delivered them on Christmas Eve. First we went to the home of Claudio, David and Nicolas. Elba and Juanca bought their gifts and they loved them, but the part that meant the most to me was when we went to my little boy Israel’s house.

His home was at the top of the mountain in Alto Hospicio in a very poor neighborhood where only wooden boards made up their homes and each address was marked with permanent marker on the front. When we got there and knocked on the fence, a little girl, Israel’s sister, answered. Francesca was only about 8-10 years old and she and Israel were home alone. Israel asked for a big truck in his letter and also asked Santa to visit his 3 brothers a nearby children’s home. Israel couldn’t come down because he had a fever, but Francesca said we could go to him. I carefully walked up the stairs as they weren’t very steady and saw this little 2-year-old boy curled up in a ball under the covers. I tried to speak with him but Francesca said he didn’t talk much. I mean, I wouldn’t want to talk to some stranger in my room if I had a fever either. It was clear from his living situation that he probably wasn’t going to receive any other gift but the one I brought him. It made me wish I would’ve bought him 10 big trucks instead of just one!

Israel was Christmas for me this year. He and Francesca made me remember yet again what Christmas is really all about.  It’s not the food or the gifts or whether there is sun or snow, it’s about giving and spreading the love of God even if it’s to complete strangers…especially if it’s to complete strangers.

If you want to see another really great Christmas story, go to this website : http://ddisbored.wordpress.com/and click on the CBS News story about a special Secret Santa.

Some of the homes in Israel's neighborhood

Chile Christmas Facts:

•  IT’S FREAKIN SUMMER!!! There is never a white Christmas in Iquique!
• Some people put lights up, and most people have Christmas trees but not like we do. Most people here live in condos and they have limited space so the trees are normally small.
• Something like 85-90% of the people here are Catholic. They don’t all attend church regularly, but when Christmas comes, everyone goes. The churches were packed with people flowing out into the streets. Good thing we got there early!
• Viejeto Pascuero (Santa Claus) supposedly delivers the gifts at midnight while everyone is at mass. I asked Elba, “But what about the people who don’t go to mass?” and she said she didn’t know because she didn’t know anyone who didn’t go.
• In Iquique only, the firefighters and their families decorate vehicles, dress up in crazy costumes like Donald Duck and of course V. Pascuero and go through the streets honking their horns and yelling “Dulces, dulces.” All of the kids run to the streets to collect their candy. They’re like mini parades, but all over the city for a good week before Christmas.
• On Christmas day, a ton of families go to the beach together or find a spot to set up a tent and cookout. At Playa Cavancha, it was very difficult to find a spot to lay down a towel because there were so many people. I went looking for seashells in a more deserted area, and was invited to eat with a family. They yelled “Merry Christmas!”  to me. My ‘gringa’ness must have been very evident that day.
• Typical lineup of events on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve): Midnight mass, open gifts, eat dinner, yes dinner is last which means not until 1:30 or 2 a.m.!! and it was huge. We had salmon, turkey, green beans, potatoes, bread, wine, salad, pan de pascua (kind of like fruitcake), and colo de mono (a traditional creamy alcoholic beverage specially for Christmas)
• I was surprised to find that many places were still open on Christmas. It seemed like a normal day in town except more busy because a lot of people didn’t have work and were out with their families. Christmas Eve is actually a bigger deal around here it seems. Christmas day is simply a day of relaxation.
• For many kids in the U.S. it is normal to receive 15 or even 20 gifts for Christmas. Here it’s more like 5 max. Elba said when she was a kid, they each received 3. She said it wasn’t about having less money, it was about appreciating everything you got and not distorting the meaning of Christmas. Hmmm..it kind of made me feel spoiled.

Salud! Christmas dinner!

One of the many trucks that the firefighters decorate and drive around before Christmas for the kids in Iquique

Our Christmas tree and gifts

Feliz Navidad a todos!!! Love and miss you!

I can finally check parapente off of my list of things to do in Chile! Jorge called and made an appointment, and we went this morning. I wasn’t nervous at all really, but the only thing that worried me a little was the fact that Fabian, my instructor, was explaining everything to me in Spanish and I thought,”Hmmm he might be telling me something really important for the security of my life that I’m not understanding right now.” As far as the flight itself, I was not actually worried at all. After skydiving, this was a breeze. We just ran off the mountain and let the wind take us, and then floated around for a half hour. The landing was extremely smooth as well, not like skydiving.

It was the closest I’ve ever been to flying. The hawks were actually flying right by us. I wanted to ask Fabian if a hawk ever flew into him during a flight, but I forgot the word for hawk so I didn’t. By the way, it’s halcón in case you ever need to know. I know that’s a crucial word and all. Also, the view kind made me speechless. I just didn’t feel like thinking so much for a little bit. Jorge was sooo nervous, but ended up being really happy that he did it as well.

I make lists for EVERYTHING. My friends make fun of me for it. Jessica once said something like, “Did you remember to put down ‘Take a shower- 10:15 to 10:30?” I do get pretty detailed with my lists, but not that detailed.

In case you were wondering about this Chile list of mine (and I’m sure you are), here’s kind of what it looks like:

·      Improve my Spanish (of course!), especially practice the subjective form (this is difficult for me) and my “R’s” (perrrrrro) [X]

·     Parapente [X]

·     Uncover an interesting story and document it

·     Ride on the back of a motorcycle with a hot Latino;) (Don’t worry Mom, this one hasn’t happened yet)

·     Go to the Zofri (tax free gifts!) [X]

·     Go to a restaurant alone  [X]

·     Relax in the hot springs of Pica or Mamina

·     Dance the salsa, merengue, everything!, lots of dancing [X]

·     Decide on my future (at least form a plan and stick to it) [x...halfway there]

·     See the sunrise and sunset [X]

·     Have a dream in Spanish [X] yessssss! (My teacher used to say that when you dream in Spanish, that’s when you know you “get it.”)

·     Run on the beach [X]

·     Take a boat ride

·     Go fishing

·     Buy a stash of amazing wine to bring home [Don't worry this one will definitely be happening!]

 I’m looking forward to checking more off my life:)

Flying across the desert mountains

Preparing to land on the beach

I have spent much time waiting for people, and I get more worried the longer I wait, but when the person arrives, there is no mention of the tardiness. No apology or explanation is required apparently. That’s just how it is. So if you’re ever in a Latin American country, I would suggest not getting all worked up because it seems to be fairly common. A few people have even told me that the image that most people here have of Americans is “uptight.” As Jorge said, “Chill out, amiga.”

Chillin out Fuentes style

If I lived here, I guess I might stop and smell the roses a little longer too, or the sea

Me and Yzasku at the Clinic. I'm not used to being taller than anyone, but it happens a lot around here!

Well this week I worked in the PR department of La Clinica Tarapaca! I actually didn’t do much “work,” more like running errands and talking to people in the waiting room haha. But I did get to meet a lot of nice people and I got to practice more than I would have if I were just going different places by myself like I did the week before. Everyone here calls me Nattie because it’s easier for them to say than Natalie. Normally I tell them Natalie and they say something like Nardy and I say no, it’s like Natalia and so they either call me Natalia or Nattie.

I was the closest with Yzasku, one of the women at the front desk. She calls me Nattie. She was always soo kind and would ask me to come along on her jobs with her and to lunch. She even invited me to a little Christmas get-together at her house yesterday after work. Everyone ate and talked and sang karaoke- it was a lot of fun! I was getting ready to leave and Yzasku brought over a gift to me. She got me a cute little purse! We had been walking before and I saw it and said that I thought it was really pretty, so she went back and got it for me! Isn’t that so thoughtful? I mean she hardly even knows me, and she was so good to me. Like I said, I’ve been very lucky to be around such great people.

Alright, now for some more interesting tidbits about Chile:

• We have a toothfairy, they have a toothmouse haha
• A truck goes around all day with cans of gasoline. A man stands in the back with the cans and bangs on them with a wooden stick to make a noise so that people know it’s coming and they can run out and get some for their kitchen if they want. It reminded me of an icecream truck!
• Also, a man sometimes comes around ringing a bell and if you want your knives sharpened you can bring them out and he’ll sharpen them for you. How convenient!
• There are many motels here, but I wouldn’t be allowed to stay in one. If you want to stay in a motel, you have to be a couple, you can’t just stay there alone. Motels are well known as hook up spots. Uh ohhhh, scandalous. A single person has to stay at a hotel! =/ Sad, but then maybe all the people at the hotel can meet up and then go to a motel?? Hmmm.
• Weddings aren’t typically as big of a deal here as in the U.S. The majority of people don’t even get married in a church, but only in a civil union. I thought this was surprising especially since it’s such a Catholic country.
• Cueca is the national dance. Jorge taught it to me, but you only do it on special occasions. It’s not like we square dance in the club either. It was still fun though. Eye contact is key! Here’s an example so you can kind of see what it looks like [I haven't figured out how to make it a link yet, sorry! Mom- just copy and paste:)]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ulsSNC69UA

Okay, that’s all I’ve got for now!  Hasta pronto.

This is one of the many memorials that line the roads where people have died. We have these at home, but they're not normally as elaborate as this. This isn't even the biggest one I've seen.

You should've seen me grab my camera and run out when I heard the gas man haha

The knife sharpener man

The Rotary Club of Cavancha

On Wednesday I gave my presentation about West Virginia at the Rotary dinner. I was a little nervous, but it was a regular meeting so there were way less people than last week when the District Governor was there, so I was happy about that! I talked about WVU, pepperoni rolls, whitewater rafting and couch burning haha. Well that’s not all I talked about. I told them about a lot of other great things too like the beauty of the trees in the fall and the way it’s common for strangers to wave and smile when they pass by. They kindly clapped for me when it was all over and gave me a nice little banner that says Rotary Club Cavancha. I like it- I think I’m going to hang it in my room when I get back! I gave them all stickers and pins that say, “West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful” They all humored me by wearing the pins. It was pretty cool! Giovanna, the nana (maid), of Juanca and Elba’s house, also wears the WV pin everyday now on her apron! It makes me happy:)

At the end of the meeting they had a raffle where people paid for chances and then they pulled numbers. Okay- now here’s the funny part. What were the prizes you might ask? Viagra, of course! Haha well not exactly Viagra, it was a different brand, but it had the same purpose. And the second place prize?? More pills! These I wasn’t quite sure about but when I asked Marco he said it makes you strong so I don’t know if they were like steroids or what, but regardless I thought it was kind of funny! There were only two women there and I said, “This isn’t fair! There are no prizes for the women.” And she said “Ooo yes there is. We can give them to our husbands!” Haha ohh man. That was the best part of the meeting for sure.

But joking aside, the people here in Rotary have been wonderful. Many of them tried to talk to me and ask me about my experience so far, and many have invited me over to have dinner with their families. How nice! I’m a stranger to them, yet they don’t hesitate to welcome me into their homes. At the meetings, they include me as well. When they were having a discussion about improving their club procedures, I received a copy of the proposed idea and they even asked me what I thought! Going to the Rotary dinner again reminded me of how lucky I am to have had this opportunity and to be constantly surrounded by such wonderful people.

Marco and Jamie representing the W.V. =)

Well I know I’ve only been here a week, and I’ll probably learn a lot more differences and similarities in the coming weeks and when I do, I’ll be sure to share them. But for now, I want to share some interesting facts you may not know about Chile. I had some time today to kind of put things in perspective- that happens more when you’re alone, which by the way I’m getting used to. I don’t mind being on my own. I’ve learned to embrace it haha. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, and I don’t have to worry about anyone else. I guess this is a pretty selfish time in my life. Today for example, I looked at different Christmas cards in the store for a half hour (no joke!). I had to read them all and find the best ones. Then I got myself a mango smoothie and took a cab 2 blocks to the beach so that I could practice the phrases I studied for taking a cab. “Dejeme en la esquina por favor” (Leave me out on the corner, please), Quedese el cambio (Keep the change!) Heh;)

ANYWAYS- back to my observations…
-In Chile there is/are no -mailboxes -taxes -peanut butter -Nutella  -salad dressing
(There’s only one post office in the city for everyone; the only thing they use on their salads is lemon juice or oil). Also, sour cream is hard to find.
-Thong bikinis are not only allowed on the beaches here but they are also highly publicized on the backs of buses and on the news
-Abortion is illegal but is apparently still performed in secret quite frequently. Marajuana and talking on a cell phone while driving are also illegal.
-Tipping in restaurants is not obligatory
-They eat bread with pretty much every meal. Americans on the other hand are afraid of carbs.
-It’s not uncommon for kids to live with their parents until they’re 30 or so. Mommy? Daddy?:) haha just kidding
-Their first woman president is now in office- Michele Bachelet
-You know how we spraypaint things like “MP + SG = <3″ on bridges and walls? They do that here but with seashells and rocks in the sand. (See the picture below!)
-Of course, the meal times. Breakfast is kind of non-existent, maybe just bread, fruit and tea. Lunch is around 2 or 3:00 and it’s huge- salad, main dish, several sides, desert, wine, tea! Dinner isn’t until 11pm, sometimes later and is a very light meal. Last night it was (can you guess?) bread with marmalade, some cheese and a piece of ham with…TEA! haha
-About 660 Chilean pesos = 1 U.S. dollar so my huge 7000 peso almuerzo (lunch) the other day was really just about $10.00.
-They don’t have PR agencies here, only advertising agencies (No one except me would care about this!)

Well the list goes on and on with interesting differences about Chile, but here’s the thing- people are people no matter where you go. A smile or a wave is universal. A kind gesture knows no language. I was so nervous about people understanding me, but I realize now that I just have to show that I’m trying my best and be myself. Even if I can’t communicate it in words, I can still offer a handshake or a hug and whether I’m in Chile, the U.S., Bora Bora, wherever- people can appreciate it. Misunderstanding and discrimination fall away and a friendship is formed:`) awww

Yeaaa, that was way too corny, I know. I’m like way past my word limit or something too, so with that..Chau amigos!

These are seahells in the sand on the side of the mountain. It says 'Save the Whales!'

My host parents, Elba and Juanca and Jose's children Maria Jose and Nicolas at a Rotary event

These are the condos where I live!