Helllllo all,
I can hardly believe I have waited all of 13 days before reflecting on the month of July.
Now: Using a friends computer to write these last few clicks while the sounds, smells and sights of Valpara{iso, Chile are a mi aldredor. (around me).
This month: When it came, I knew it would be really cu{atico. Starting in Chile, and ending in Colorado. HOW CRAZY!?!?!? But, igual it started off nice, I think I even went for a run the first day of July. I had a party on the 3rd, Saturday, that ended up really well, and lead into a surprisingly pleasaant and rainy 4th of July, complete with beers, bbqs friends and everything the 4th of July should be. My Mexican friend Mario hosted it for all of this friends from the US so that we could savour a little of our patriotism, and share delicious bbqed veggies and meats with people from France, USA, Mexico and various other places as well.
I Love: The diversity of the cultures here. I have truly met people from ALL over Europe, South Central and North America, Australia....And it is beautiful. Parties and streets are filled with different lenguas.
Today:I opened my wndow to find Portuguese speaking people passing by my street, and realized how normal it is for me to see people from all parts of the world, speaking in all different languages passing by. ( I live in a pretty "touristy" cerro anyways.)
VALPO: Is a beautiful, stressful, dirty, hectic, crazy, wonderful, inspiring, suffocating, surprising, stimulating, buzzing, shocking, colorful, hilly, stair-y, scary (ony because it rhymes with "stair-y")crazy mothafuckin place.
And: I love it, and will miss its energy.
ME VOY: now, but never, really. Valpo will always be here, always stay with me. and ONE DAY
ONE DAY: I will come back, I will see more of this and many other places, I will migrate de nuevo.
This MAY be my last entry while Im in Chile, but I doubt it will be my last one overall. I have a lot more to say, and have been pleased with the responsiveness of this blog, and the freedom of (somewhat annonymous) expression it has alowed. Thanks for reading, but know that beyond words, there are stories.
Love and chau,
Celine
martes, 13 de julio de 2010
lunes, 28 de junio de 2010
Dancing, Living. Mine, yours, ours
Hello all,
To refrain from using too many explicit words, I will just say that I can hardly ________ believe my time here is going by so _____ fast. Holy ______!!!! (Ok, maybe I should have just used them anyways...) But yea, wow. Friday marks just two short little weeks until I am transplanted back in Colorado, USA. I am.... Excited, to say the least... But, thats not the intention of this entry. The intention is this: movement.
I came across a quote just now that said "move the way you want to live". Y me gusta. We are all movers. I dance. That is my movement. Recently, my little dance workshop showed a portion of the dance we have been working on. We performed it as a part of the other workshops in this arts center called the Balmeceda that does free artsy workshops for whoever wants to join. Before the little performance, we met up and warmed up and then held hands in a circle for a little pre-stage chat lead by the great Instructor of the workshop, Nelson. He said some really nice words and expressed his gratitude for our participation, etc... He then opened up the dialogue to us to invite any comentairy we had as well. I expressed my thanks for the companionship of my fellow dancers, the direction of Nelson, and the wonderful oportunity it has been to dance together. Others expressed the same, and thanked Nelson for his "improvisation for creation" instructing technique.
Some words of his I will share- Dancing is just an expression of your personality, and we all have different and distinct personalities. This is why I (he) focus so much on improvisation because it is really just a self-exploration.
His words are amongst the many that I have recieved about dance and its relation to life and how we live and move inside of it. From Gabe Masson (another excellent instructor of mine)talking about "mistakes" was something along the lines of how we never really make them, rather we conflict our intentions. And if intentions are what guide us, then we have to go for it and follow those that are true to us. Wrong foot, wrong turn wrong move... Whatever. If I Intended to do That foot, that way, that turn... then thats it. Thats right, thats ok. That is correct.
Cool things Ive seen/heard/read/thought about lately...
ººº"All experiences will come. You just have to learn how to wait for them" And then the modification "All experiences will come. You just have to learn how to Look for them."
---A girl asked me if I had a "prince charming" waiting for me back home and my reply was "maybe. Maybe I do and just don´t know it yet". All in good timing.
ºººEverything I do, see, feel and experience is because I need to. Because it is and already has been within me, and each new day brings another part of me out and forth.
ºººOur bodies are just reflections of our experiences. Our eyes, laughs and expressions are the stories.
ººº"Those are some good people, Celine"- Peter.
ºººWatching the sun rise on my right and the moon set on my left as a bird´s shadow is drawn over the scattered reflection on the sea, "this is incredible".
ººº"If you didn´t trust yourself, you wouldn´t be here" and "So just LOVE the person you are next to"- Fiarella
ºººWE are bigger than our countries. Family and Friendship are bigger than time and space.
ººº Just enjoy everything. All the time.
So, thats where Im at. Just riding it out, moving, loving (and studying!) everything. Time is just time. It will not control me and I will not attempt to control it. As we cannot control the sea, nor the sky. I will live. Amongst, underneath, above and through all. And dance. Our dance, your dance and mine. And I will live. Our life, your life and mine.
And I will see so many of you very soon!
chau chau!
To refrain from using too many explicit words, I will just say that I can hardly ________ believe my time here is going by so _____ fast. Holy ______!!!! (Ok, maybe I should have just used them anyways...) But yea, wow. Friday marks just two short little weeks until I am transplanted back in Colorado, USA. I am.... Excited, to say the least... But, thats not the intention of this entry. The intention is this: movement.
I came across a quote just now that said "move the way you want to live". Y me gusta. We are all movers. I dance. That is my movement. Recently, my little dance workshop showed a portion of the dance we have been working on. We performed it as a part of the other workshops in this arts center called the Balmeceda that does free artsy workshops for whoever wants to join. Before the little performance, we met up and warmed up and then held hands in a circle for a little pre-stage chat lead by the great Instructor of the workshop, Nelson. He said some really nice words and expressed his gratitude for our participation, etc... He then opened up the dialogue to us to invite any comentairy we had as well. I expressed my thanks for the companionship of my fellow dancers, the direction of Nelson, and the wonderful oportunity it has been to dance together. Others expressed the same, and thanked Nelson for his "improvisation for creation" instructing technique.
Some words of his I will share- Dancing is just an expression of your personality, and we all have different and distinct personalities. This is why I (he) focus so much on improvisation because it is really just a self-exploration.
His words are amongst the many that I have recieved about dance and its relation to life and how we live and move inside of it. From Gabe Masson (another excellent instructor of mine)talking about "mistakes" was something along the lines of how we never really make them, rather we conflict our intentions. And if intentions are what guide us, then we have to go for it and follow those that are true to us. Wrong foot, wrong turn wrong move... Whatever. If I Intended to do That foot, that way, that turn... then thats it. Thats right, thats ok. That is correct.
Cool things Ive seen/heard/read/thought about lately...
ººº"All experiences will come. You just have to learn how to wait for them" And then the modification "All experiences will come. You just have to learn how to Look for them."
---A girl asked me if I had a "prince charming" waiting for me back home and my reply was "maybe. Maybe I do and just don´t know it yet". All in good timing.
ºººEverything I do, see, feel and experience is because I need to. Because it is and already has been within me, and each new day brings another part of me out and forth.
ºººOur bodies are just reflections of our experiences. Our eyes, laughs and expressions are the stories.
ººº"Those are some good people, Celine"- Peter.
ºººWatching the sun rise on my right and the moon set on my left as a bird´s shadow is drawn over the scattered reflection on the sea, "this is incredible".
ººº"If you didn´t trust yourself, you wouldn´t be here" and "So just LOVE the person you are next to"- Fiarella
ºººWE are bigger than our countries. Family and Friendship are bigger than time and space.
ººº Just enjoy everything. All the time.
So, thats where Im at. Just riding it out, moving, loving (and studying!) everything. Time is just time. It will not control me and I will not attempt to control it. As we cannot control the sea, nor the sky. I will live. Amongst, underneath, above and through all. And dance. Our dance, your dance and mine. And I will live. Our life, your life and mine.
And I will see so many of you very soon!
chau chau!
lunes, 14 de junio de 2010
Los Pacos
Hello all,
Many fences have been jumped, and many windows jumped out of while trying to avoid the people you do NOT want at a party- The POLICE. Although the band by the same name is really great (Sting is still so sexy!) the actual POLICE force is something, when you are 17 and drinking underage at a party, that you want nothing to do with. Trust me, I know.
So, fast forward a few years... I am now of legal drinking age, blah blah blah and those little flashlights the pacos use to point out your parafanalia still put rocks in my stomach. Here we are in Valpo, en route to a friend´s house after a long while of not doing much and trying to leave Peter´s. We decided to go one way instead of the other and ended up running into some fellow gringos along the path in this somewhat sketchy stairwell near one of the ascensores here. We chit chatted, and somewhere along the way a beer was opened and began to be amiably passed as we all played catch up for a bit. Then, ALL OF A SUDDEN we were Surrounded by lights and uniformed officers coming in from all sides! They marched from up, down and around the stairwell and had us traped like tuna from a fishing boat. (note: Dramatized a little...) Anyways, there were some Chilenos drinking as well, and once they got us all together, the realized we were surely foreigners. We spoke a mix of English and Spanish, as we thought English would be better to soften the blow or something(?). And, well, it worked. They brought our gringo squad to the other side of the stairs and told us that since we were foreigners that we were allowed to be let go and to please not drink openly in the streets again or we Would be fined.
huh, thats all??? Yup. Chile is known and respected for their upstanding and honest service people. (A Bolivian friend told me the only people in his country he does Not trust are the Cops)
I think my high-school mentality of "o shit the cops are here, we´re all ·/&$"%·("/ed!!!!!" may be coming to an end. And maybe thats why I got so many drinking tickets in the first place... I ran. I ran away (well, tried...) instead of facing the reality of my situation. Now that I am immune from any Underage drinking tickets, I actually see some value in at least trying to deterr kids from getting drunk in the streets, at parties with questionable older men, etc... But, at the same time it will still happen.People, kids especially, will experiment with drugs, alcohol, sports, food, hobbies, trends, whatever. Adolescent human nature allows this. At least on this end of the world it may be more acceptable or common. I fondly (and painfully) remember my host mom nursing a hangover for me when I first got here, and telling me that she has had a lot of practice both with herself and Christian- my younger host brother. I also remember talking about it the next day, and making fun of how drunk everyone was the night before... I think to be able to get into the discos her you have to be at least 15. Or hot. And thats all. And to "drink" its 18. or not. whatever. The whole alcohol culture down here is so different anyways. Its like everything else where it just doesn´t really matter. My host mom would be surprised if I came home anytime before 4 AM last semester. ¿Did I not have a good time??? ha, well I DID. time, space, alcohol, whatever... It is all relative and all invented.
..................................................
Well, in other thoughts... Ive got about a month left here. And.... wow, am kind of freaking out. Not for any particular reason, just excitement, happiness, joy, being anxious. Waiting and wondering while walking waterly through the rest of the days... I guess Im still waiting for that big break or something. Like someone holding that piece of ribbon at the end for me to break through. Like Yes! You did it, congrats. Here´s some gatorade and the rest of your life- don´t tire yet! go, go go!!! wow. All the resting and lazyness here is tiring! hm. well, yea. This is home. Me. this. is. home.
see you all soon, take care!
Chau chau!
Many fences have been jumped, and many windows jumped out of while trying to avoid the people you do NOT want at a party- The POLICE. Although the band by the same name is really great (Sting is still so sexy!) the actual POLICE force is something, when you are 17 and drinking underage at a party, that you want nothing to do with. Trust me, I know.
So, fast forward a few years... I am now of legal drinking age, blah blah blah and those little flashlights the pacos use to point out your parafanalia still put rocks in my stomach. Here we are in Valpo, en route to a friend´s house after a long while of not doing much and trying to leave Peter´s. We decided to go one way instead of the other and ended up running into some fellow gringos along the path in this somewhat sketchy stairwell near one of the ascensores here. We chit chatted, and somewhere along the way a beer was opened and began to be amiably passed as we all played catch up for a bit. Then, ALL OF A SUDDEN we were Surrounded by lights and uniformed officers coming in from all sides! They marched from up, down and around the stairwell and had us traped like tuna from a fishing boat. (note: Dramatized a little...) Anyways, there were some Chilenos drinking as well, and once they got us all together, the realized we were surely foreigners. We spoke a mix of English and Spanish, as we thought English would be better to soften the blow or something(?). And, well, it worked. They brought our gringo squad to the other side of the stairs and told us that since we were foreigners that we were allowed to be let go and to please not drink openly in the streets again or we Would be fined.
huh, thats all??? Yup. Chile is known and respected for their upstanding and honest service people. (A Bolivian friend told me the only people in his country he does Not trust are the Cops)
I think my high-school mentality of "o shit the cops are here, we´re all ·/&$"%·("/ed!!!!!" may be coming to an end. And maybe thats why I got so many drinking tickets in the first place... I ran. I ran away (well, tried...) instead of facing the reality of my situation. Now that I am immune from any Underage drinking tickets, I actually see some value in at least trying to deterr kids from getting drunk in the streets, at parties with questionable older men, etc... But, at the same time it will still happen.People, kids especially, will experiment with drugs, alcohol, sports, food, hobbies, trends, whatever. Adolescent human nature allows this. At least on this end of the world it may be more acceptable or common. I fondly (and painfully) remember my host mom nursing a hangover for me when I first got here, and telling me that she has had a lot of practice both with herself and Christian- my younger host brother. I also remember talking about it the next day, and making fun of how drunk everyone was the night before... I think to be able to get into the discos her you have to be at least 15. Or hot. And thats all. And to "drink" its 18. or not. whatever. The whole alcohol culture down here is so different anyways. Its like everything else where it just doesn´t really matter. My host mom would be surprised if I came home anytime before 4 AM last semester. ¿Did I not have a good time??? ha, well I DID. time, space, alcohol, whatever... It is all relative and all invented.
..................................................
Well, in other thoughts... Ive got about a month left here. And.... wow, am kind of freaking out. Not for any particular reason, just excitement, happiness, joy, being anxious. Waiting and wondering while walking waterly through the rest of the days... I guess Im still waiting for that big break or something. Like someone holding that piece of ribbon at the end for me to break through. Like Yes! You did it, congrats. Here´s some gatorade and the rest of your life- don´t tire yet! go, go go!!! wow. All the resting and lazyness here is tiring! hm. well, yea. This is home. Me. this. is. home.
see you all soon, take care!
Chau chau!
lunes, 31 de mayo de 2010
BirthDay
Hello all!
I am FINALLY 21! This now means that I can officially go to any concert, bar, liquor store and club in the USA and get Wasteeeddddd!!!!!!ha, just kidding about the getting wasted part. But really, it will be nice to not have my "maturity" questioned every time I want to go somewhere. I remember last summer when Mama´s Cookin came to Boulder and their show was 21 and up and I was SO pissed because its one of my favorite bands and my ID would not allow me to see them. So now, I may get down freely.
Im glad, also that it won´t be such a huge change to go back to the US and be able to do all of the things I already do here without being questioned. But now that I am 21, I actually DO feel a little older, wiser and overall good-er. I do feel more responsible for my actions, aware of my self and how the things I do effect the world around me, and a little more mature as well. The days before and after my birthday were really nice reflecting days for me to take a look back at the last year, and everything that has happened. It has been a good time to set more intentions for what I want out of this life with all of the new, old, and un-conventional wisdom I have accumulated and will continue to add on. Ive always loved my birthday. I think part of that comes from all the sweet parties I had when I was little, and how much fun they all were for me. And continuing that now being 21 has been great. There was a moment, on my actual birthday when I was painting my face for the costume party I was about to have when I realized that, maybe I haven´t changed much at all since I was a little girl; playing dress-up, painting my face and having a silly party (only more narcotics were involved this time). So, here are some highlights for how I celebrated the BIG 21. It was a whole weekend of fun, music, friends and all-of-a-sudden being 6 am.
Thursday night: Two girls from my program plus 2 Chilenos played an Awesome concert at this little bar in Viña. They all sounded so good,and had a sweet set. I got a free birthday drink, and a discounted one for Margot, too :). At midnight, everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and it was just great. Then, after a few other birthday "presens" (aka: tequila shots and Piscolas) we decided to go to Valpo and maybe do some dancing. So, we went and the club was expensive, so I snuck in to see what the scene was like and if it was even Vale la Pena to go in. I checked it out and it wasnt that great, so snuck back out and decided to go to another bar. This bar, Coyote Quemado usually has me walk in, and stumble out. As it was my birthday, I got Another free drink, and finally resisted ANY MORE Drinks! So, they were closing all of a sudden (is it Really 4:30???) and finally went home.
Friday: Woke up with my friends Jason and Sophie (who were staying with me for about 2 weeks- BTW they RULE!!!!) who made me a delicious birthday breakfast (Jason is a professional Chef!) and it was great. I was feeling a bit woozy, but went to class in Viña anyways. After that I attempted going to my Dance workshop but was moving pretty slowly. I knew once we started to do salsa and move our hips and stomach´s that I should probably go home and recover for a bit before my party that night. So I did,and my instructor understood. (I love Chileans...). So, I came home and felt shitty for a bit-damn those sugary drinks! But eventually got better and ate the blissful Baked Macaroni and Cheeze with Mashed Potatoes that Jason made :). THEN it was Party Time! "Dress up or pants off". I wasn´t sure exactly what to be, but morphed into a Butterfly costume. Face paint and all.
The party was Great and so many people came! nearly everyone was dressed up, and I knew at about 6AM when my neighbor was playing me Happy Birthday on the violin he just happened to have and be Amazing at playing, that it had been a successful Birthday. Violin friend and everyone else were jamming on instruments creating beautiful music, I was dancing, and the remaining people were just enjoying themselves. Perfect.
Saturday: I SOMEHOW woke up really early with like 8 people sleeping in my room, and managed to have a somewhat productive day and go to my host family´s house for a little birthday dinner. It was so lovely, and I felt so blessed to have them in my life,and to continue to share a beautiful relationship with them. Afterwards, I went out and met up with Sophie and Jason in Viña and went to a bar I hadn´t been to in a while. One of Sophie´s firneds came, and as they were catching up, Jason and I had one of the most incredible conversations. We went SO many places from the War to cigarettes, to stretching to God (or, "God") to family.... Just Everything. We were totally vibing,and it was great. Sophie went off with her friend and Jason and I went back to the place they were staying where I ended up staying as well. Sophie came home eventually and we all noticed that it was about 6 Am. And here we were just chatting all the while! Great.
The next day, Sunday, I was still in Viña and decided to take advantage of the Ocean. So, I stripped down to my sports bra and shorts,and took a transformative, metaphorical dip in the cooooooold Pacific. It was beautiful, and brought me back.
Then, from Viña I walked home to Valpo, helped my roomate move her stuff out, talked with my new roomates for next semester, and Finally went to sleep. Before 6 am.
phew. What a weekend it was!
Now: Last day of May. June will fly, and July will come. I will eventually part ways momentarily with this Country and go back to the one I know best. Ill probably have my freak-outs and feel strange, etc... But, DUH! I think it is my crazyness that keeps me sane, after all. So, happy birth day to me, happy birth day to you, too.
Chau Chau!
I am FINALLY 21! This now means that I can officially go to any concert, bar, liquor store and club in the USA and get Wasteeeddddd!!!!!!ha, just kidding about the getting wasted part. But really, it will be nice to not have my "maturity" questioned every time I want to go somewhere. I remember last summer when Mama´s Cookin came to Boulder and their show was 21 and up and I was SO pissed because its one of my favorite bands and my ID would not allow me to see them. So now, I may get down freely.
Im glad, also that it won´t be such a huge change to go back to the US and be able to do all of the things I already do here without being questioned. But now that I am 21, I actually DO feel a little older, wiser and overall good-er. I do feel more responsible for my actions, aware of my self and how the things I do effect the world around me, and a little more mature as well. The days before and after my birthday were really nice reflecting days for me to take a look back at the last year, and everything that has happened. It has been a good time to set more intentions for what I want out of this life with all of the new, old, and un-conventional wisdom I have accumulated and will continue to add on. Ive always loved my birthday. I think part of that comes from all the sweet parties I had when I was little, and how much fun they all were for me. And continuing that now being 21 has been great. There was a moment, on my actual birthday when I was painting my face for the costume party I was about to have when I realized that, maybe I haven´t changed much at all since I was a little girl; playing dress-up, painting my face and having a silly party (only more narcotics were involved this time). So, here are some highlights for how I celebrated the BIG 21. It was a whole weekend of fun, music, friends and all-of-a-sudden being 6 am.
Thursday night: Two girls from my program plus 2 Chilenos played an Awesome concert at this little bar in Viña. They all sounded so good,and had a sweet set. I got a free birthday drink, and a discounted one for Margot, too :). At midnight, everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and it was just great. Then, after a few other birthday "presens" (aka: tequila shots and Piscolas) we decided to go to Valpo and maybe do some dancing. So, we went and the club was expensive, so I snuck in to see what the scene was like and if it was even Vale la Pena to go in. I checked it out and it wasnt that great, so snuck back out and decided to go to another bar. This bar, Coyote Quemado usually has me walk in, and stumble out. As it was my birthday, I got Another free drink, and finally resisted ANY MORE Drinks! So, they were closing all of a sudden (is it Really 4:30???) and finally went home.
Friday: Woke up with my friends Jason and Sophie (who were staying with me for about 2 weeks- BTW they RULE!!!!) who made me a delicious birthday breakfast (Jason is a professional Chef!) and it was great. I was feeling a bit woozy, but went to class in Viña anyways. After that I attempted going to my Dance workshop but was moving pretty slowly. I knew once we started to do salsa and move our hips and stomach´s that I should probably go home and recover for a bit before my party that night. So I did,and my instructor understood. (I love Chileans...). So, I came home and felt shitty for a bit-damn those sugary drinks! But eventually got better and ate the blissful Baked Macaroni and Cheeze with Mashed Potatoes that Jason made :). THEN it was Party Time! "Dress up or pants off". I wasn´t sure exactly what to be, but morphed into a Butterfly costume. Face paint and all.
The party was Great and so many people came! nearly everyone was dressed up, and I knew at about 6AM when my neighbor was playing me Happy Birthday on the violin he just happened to have and be Amazing at playing, that it had been a successful Birthday. Violin friend and everyone else were jamming on instruments creating beautiful music, I was dancing, and the remaining people were just enjoying themselves. Perfect.
Saturday: I SOMEHOW woke up really early with like 8 people sleeping in my room, and managed to have a somewhat productive day and go to my host family´s house for a little birthday dinner. It was so lovely, and I felt so blessed to have them in my life,and to continue to share a beautiful relationship with them. Afterwards, I went out and met up with Sophie and Jason in Viña and went to a bar I hadn´t been to in a while. One of Sophie´s firneds came, and as they were catching up, Jason and I had one of the most incredible conversations. We went SO many places from the War to cigarettes, to stretching to God (or, "God") to family.... Just Everything. We were totally vibing,and it was great. Sophie went off with her friend and Jason and I went back to the place they were staying where I ended up staying as well. Sophie came home eventually and we all noticed that it was about 6 Am. And here we were just chatting all the while! Great.
The next day, Sunday, I was still in Viña and decided to take advantage of the Ocean. So, I stripped down to my sports bra and shorts,and took a transformative, metaphorical dip in the cooooooold Pacific. It was beautiful, and brought me back.
Then, from Viña I walked home to Valpo, helped my roomate move her stuff out, talked with my new roomates for next semester, and Finally went to sleep. Before 6 am.
phew. What a weekend it was!
Now: Last day of May. June will fly, and July will come. I will eventually part ways momentarily with this Country and go back to the one I know best. Ill probably have my freak-outs and feel strange, etc... But, DUH! I think it is my crazyness that keeps me sane, after all. So, happy birth day to me, happy birth day to you, too.
Chau Chau!
domingo, 16 de mayo de 2010
Taking care
Hello all,
What a wild few weeks it has been. Last Sunday was mother´s day. It was a beautiful day, but for whatever reason, I had woken up in a sour mood. I had a dream about a friend the night before and realized how much I missed her. I made breakfast anyway, and was about to skype my mom and wish her a happy mother´s day, when I recieved a message from my dad telling me that my Grandmother had passed away. I read it a few times trying to make sence of it, and comprehend exactly what this meant. She had passed away, my dad and uncle were there, my mom and brother know, I now know, I am not there. I am here. Read it again. One more time, yes, yes it is real. Tears.
After the initial shock had worn off, tears seeped out of my internal reserve and flowed freely from me. My body enclosed itself around itself as if trying to squeeze the emotion out. After the sobbing subsided, I got in touch with my mom. We shared words and comfort. Soon after, my friend Peter came over to get money for the mattress my landlord bought from him. I gave him the money and we went up to the roof to hang. Peter immediately noticed, "ok, you are not happy, whats going on??" and when I told him the news,he immediately came to comfort me. He said beautiful words I will never forget "she´ll make you a strong woman, Celine". My roomates were all so wonderful as well, and full of hugs and nice words. Later, getting empenadas with Peter and eating them on a secret stairway overlooking the cerros of Valparaíso was a beautiful way to calm myself, and let my mind breathe.
Later on that day, I got in touch with my dad, and heard some great stories about my Grandmother that created nostalgic laughter. She was so witty, strong and sharp in mental and physical sentiments of the words. Her life I am sure was way different and crazier than anything I could have imagined, and will look forward to talking to her again someday in a different realm. Because she is gone physically, I know she is here spiritually, and am so thankful for that. After a night of good time spent with Peter and Margot, I felt whole again.
My Grandmother´s passing has brought many new sensations and I have been kneading this thought and idea of what it means to "take care". Take care of yourself. We say it as someone is leaving, or when giving advise or whatever. but how do we personify these wishes? My family and friends will often tell me to take care, and I will hear it without giving it proper respect. I still do little things that endanger me (little things like crossing the street without the proper sign, walking home alone, whatever...) and hardly realize, or realiseD (this is slowly working itself into the past tense) that taking care of myslef is also taking care of my family and friends.It would be devistating to everyone I love if something happened to me down here. Accidents happen, but how silly would it be if one day I decided not to wear my helmet or seatbelt, and joined my friends on the spiritual side??
I have been very blessed to have spent this time without anything bad happening,and now I am realizing that it is my responsibility to Take care of myself.
I will eat well and avoid illnesses, I will stay in good enough physical shape to avoid injuries. I do wear my bike helmet Every time I ride. I don´t get too involved in drinking or drugs, and do not do them often.
This is not only based off of personal choices, but also this great responsibility we have to Take Care of ourselves! We all have loved ones and family, and while we cannot control their actions or dispositions (my Grandmother was aged and had already lived a full, long life) we are only in control of ours. And we have to respect that. I CAN control how long my life lasts, and I know that freak accidents happen, but I also know theres a lot more shit to do before I cross over. Life happens, death happens, and in the meantime, take care.
Take care firstly of yourself, your personal relationship with YOU, and then others. Spread your light, and when it is dim, ask kindly for others to spread theirs. Give and recieve hugs with the same intention. Stay healthy and promote others to do the same. Take precautions! If you want to ride your skateboard 10000 mph down a hill, go for it. But wear a helmet! Live fully, wholly and well, and please know that everyone wants this of you. To be happy, live in the way you want to live, etc... But take care of yourself. Listen to your intuition, talk to your soul.
Do what you want to do and do it well, and may the sun rise upon you tomorrow. I have been to funerals for friends, and while it saddens me deeply, it also reaffirms the fleeting moments and instances that are life, and how beautiful that is. I don´t know what death will be like, and will probably not know for a very long time. So, Im gonna take my time here on this side for a while, and continue my journey softly and boldly.
Take care, yall...
chau chau
What a wild few weeks it has been. Last Sunday was mother´s day. It was a beautiful day, but for whatever reason, I had woken up in a sour mood. I had a dream about a friend the night before and realized how much I missed her. I made breakfast anyway, and was about to skype my mom and wish her a happy mother´s day, when I recieved a message from my dad telling me that my Grandmother had passed away. I read it a few times trying to make sence of it, and comprehend exactly what this meant. She had passed away, my dad and uncle were there, my mom and brother know, I now know, I am not there. I am here. Read it again. One more time, yes, yes it is real. Tears.
After the initial shock had worn off, tears seeped out of my internal reserve and flowed freely from me. My body enclosed itself around itself as if trying to squeeze the emotion out. After the sobbing subsided, I got in touch with my mom. We shared words and comfort. Soon after, my friend Peter came over to get money for the mattress my landlord bought from him. I gave him the money and we went up to the roof to hang. Peter immediately noticed, "ok, you are not happy, whats going on??" and when I told him the news,he immediately came to comfort me. He said beautiful words I will never forget "she´ll make you a strong woman, Celine". My roomates were all so wonderful as well, and full of hugs and nice words. Later, getting empenadas with Peter and eating them on a secret stairway overlooking the cerros of Valparaíso was a beautiful way to calm myself, and let my mind breathe.
Later on that day, I got in touch with my dad, and heard some great stories about my Grandmother that created nostalgic laughter. She was so witty, strong and sharp in mental and physical sentiments of the words. Her life I am sure was way different and crazier than anything I could have imagined, and will look forward to talking to her again someday in a different realm. Because she is gone physically, I know she is here spiritually, and am so thankful for that. After a night of good time spent with Peter and Margot, I felt whole again.
My Grandmother´s passing has brought many new sensations and I have been kneading this thought and idea of what it means to "take care". Take care of yourself. We say it as someone is leaving, or when giving advise or whatever. but how do we personify these wishes? My family and friends will often tell me to take care, and I will hear it without giving it proper respect. I still do little things that endanger me (little things like crossing the street without the proper sign, walking home alone, whatever...) and hardly realize, or realiseD (this is slowly working itself into the past tense) that taking care of myslef is also taking care of my family and friends.It would be devistating to everyone I love if something happened to me down here. Accidents happen, but how silly would it be if one day I decided not to wear my helmet or seatbelt, and joined my friends on the spiritual side??
I have been very blessed to have spent this time without anything bad happening,and now I am realizing that it is my responsibility to Take care of myself.
I will eat well and avoid illnesses, I will stay in good enough physical shape to avoid injuries. I do wear my bike helmet Every time I ride. I don´t get too involved in drinking or drugs, and do not do them often.
This is not only based off of personal choices, but also this great responsibility we have to Take Care of ourselves! We all have loved ones and family, and while we cannot control their actions or dispositions (my Grandmother was aged and had already lived a full, long life) we are only in control of ours. And we have to respect that. I CAN control how long my life lasts, and I know that freak accidents happen, but I also know theres a lot more shit to do before I cross over. Life happens, death happens, and in the meantime, take care.
Take care firstly of yourself, your personal relationship with YOU, and then others. Spread your light, and when it is dim, ask kindly for others to spread theirs. Give and recieve hugs with the same intention. Stay healthy and promote others to do the same. Take precautions! If you want to ride your skateboard 10000 mph down a hill, go for it. But wear a helmet! Live fully, wholly and well, and please know that everyone wants this of you. To be happy, live in the way you want to live, etc... But take care of yourself. Listen to your intuition, talk to your soul.
Do what you want to do and do it well, and may the sun rise upon you tomorrow. I have been to funerals for friends, and while it saddens me deeply, it also reaffirms the fleeting moments and instances that are life, and how beautiful that is. I don´t know what death will be like, and will probably not know for a very long time. So, Im gonna take my time here on this side for a while, and continue my journey softly and boldly.
Take care, yall...
chau chau
viernes, 7 de mayo de 2010
Gettin Down
Hello All!
Last night was really fun. After eating onces (like a pre-dinner) with my friend Noah, we went out with some of my roomates to a new bar called La Playa. There, we encountered Belly dancers, majicians and a really good live string band who all took turns performing throughout the night. The belly dancing was really fun to watch, as their costumes were so elaborate and movements so fluid! The majicians were pretty good (one definately better than the other) and the BAND! wooohooo! man, it was fun. It has been SO long since Ive heard some good ole string music. There was a violinist, bass guitarrist and two other guitars (maybe???) and they played songs as close to bluegrass as South America can get! haha. Naturally, the music moved us, and soon we were just Gettin Down in the bar dance floor. It was a hoot. I think a lot of people didnt really know what to do with the music, and therefore werent as into dancing as us, but, igual, it was a great vibe.
And speaking of great vibes....
MAN have I been feeling them lately! woo! I just feel good. It has been sunny and nice here the past couple of days, and today I rode my bike to Viña along the coast listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn which ruled. On the way back, I stoped for a reflective ocean sunset moment and thanked everything for all that I was seeing and experiencing at that exact moment. My new place, a new home, new ground and ocean.
...Also on the way home, I saw and chatted with a girl from my program. She was really upset because she had missed a volunteering session due to a bad migrane, and one of the organizers had kind of come down on her for not going. Being her first semester here, she was just really frusterated with not being able to communicate how she was feeling emotionally to her family here and the program organizers, etc... There was a moment where she "melted" and kind of began to cry, at which I gave her a big hug and nice words. Her moment passed, and we continued to chat about the difficulty of trying and explaining deep, complex emotions in another language. She got better, and eventually appologized for her momentary meltdown. I told her an appology was not necessiary.
Later, I was thinking about why we appologize for the very moments that make us human. If we bitch to a friend about something that happened, or talk about things that bother us or cry... We appologize, "ugh, sorry...". But why??
Ive noticed down here that people dont say "sorry" as much. It is more "excuse me, too bad, etc..." but not "sorry". Unless you do something bad. (vague, I know but I think Im losing a little writing steam here.....)
So anyways, maybe instead of appologizing for our emotions, we should just leave them alone. Leave them as they are. Maybe then we could express what really needs to be expressed. In any language.
Chau chau!
Last night was really fun. After eating onces (like a pre-dinner) with my friend Noah, we went out with some of my roomates to a new bar called La Playa. There, we encountered Belly dancers, majicians and a really good live string band who all took turns performing throughout the night. The belly dancing was really fun to watch, as their costumes were so elaborate and movements so fluid! The majicians were pretty good (one definately better than the other) and the BAND! wooohooo! man, it was fun. It has been SO long since Ive heard some good ole string music. There was a violinist, bass guitarrist and two other guitars (maybe???) and they played songs as close to bluegrass as South America can get! haha. Naturally, the music moved us, and soon we were just Gettin Down in the bar dance floor. It was a hoot. I think a lot of people didnt really know what to do with the music, and therefore werent as into dancing as us, but, igual, it was a great vibe.
And speaking of great vibes....
MAN have I been feeling them lately! woo! I just feel good. It has been sunny and nice here the past couple of days, and today I rode my bike to Viña along the coast listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn which ruled. On the way back, I stoped for a reflective ocean sunset moment and thanked everything for all that I was seeing and experiencing at that exact moment. My new place, a new home, new ground and ocean.
...Also on the way home, I saw and chatted with a girl from my program. She was really upset because she had missed a volunteering session due to a bad migrane, and one of the organizers had kind of come down on her for not going. Being her first semester here, she was just really frusterated with not being able to communicate how she was feeling emotionally to her family here and the program organizers, etc... There was a moment where she "melted" and kind of began to cry, at which I gave her a big hug and nice words. Her moment passed, and we continued to chat about the difficulty of trying and explaining deep, complex emotions in another language. She got better, and eventually appologized for her momentary meltdown. I told her an appology was not necessiary.
Later, I was thinking about why we appologize for the very moments that make us human. If we bitch to a friend about something that happened, or talk about things that bother us or cry... We appologize, "ugh, sorry...". But why??
Ive noticed down here that people dont say "sorry" as much. It is more "excuse me, too bad, etc..." but not "sorry". Unless you do something bad. (vague, I know but I think Im losing a little writing steam here.....)
So anyways, maybe instead of appologizing for our emotions, we should just leave them alone. Leave them as they are. Maybe then we could express what really needs to be expressed. In any language.
Chau chau!
sábado, 1 de mayo de 2010
May
Hello all,
For whatever reason, I remember the 1st of May last year very clearly. It was raining,and I was in such high spirits that I was singing and wishing everybody on campus a "HAPPY MAY!!".May has always been one of my favorite months. Becides the fact (or maybe because of it) that my birthday is this month, I always associate it with nice weather, school getting out, and summer getting in. Oh summer! May changes the seasons, brings a new year to my life, and usually new breath and air to whatever it is I need to have aired out.
This May will hopefully not be any different. It will be colder, sure, but it is also the enterance into another season. And as my time here in this other place is slowly wrapping its fingers around me to carry me up there, I think- what WILL this month be? What do I want from it??
I met a new artist friend, so Id like to get into some more artsy things.... And well, just enjoy my time here. I have spent a lot of days here happy, sad, missing home and never wanting to go back. So now, this season, I am just going to love. Love the minutes, love the days, love the feezing weather, love. It all. Love it all. And experience it. I think sometimes I (we)may stop or slow ourselves down from loving because we know it may hurt when that thing we once loved may no longer be there. We push away friends, lovers (guilty), exeriences for fear that if we love it too deeply, we may just fall forever, and never come out the other side the same as when we came in. But isnt that the point? To change?? How can we, as feeling beings, not want to truly feel something for fear that it May, in fact change us in the end? I know leaving this place will cause me great sorrow, but I know the great joy I have felt here will balance it out. Grateful I am to be able to feel it all. Good and "bad" the highs and lows of everything, everyday. And it will only continue. I will miss Chile, but it will go on. I will go on.
So May, bring it. Light, night, happy sad, whatever. I will love you. I will let myself love you, deeply and without holding back. Thank you, I love you.
Love love love.
thats all.
Chau!
For whatever reason, I remember the 1st of May last year very clearly. It was raining,and I was in such high spirits that I was singing and wishing everybody on campus a "HAPPY MAY!!".May has always been one of my favorite months. Becides the fact (or maybe because of it) that my birthday is this month, I always associate it with nice weather, school getting out, and summer getting in. Oh summer! May changes the seasons, brings a new year to my life, and usually new breath and air to whatever it is I need to have aired out.
This May will hopefully not be any different. It will be colder, sure, but it is also the enterance into another season. And as my time here in this other place is slowly wrapping its fingers around me to carry me up there, I think- what WILL this month be? What do I want from it??
I met a new artist friend, so Id like to get into some more artsy things.... And well, just enjoy my time here. I have spent a lot of days here happy, sad, missing home and never wanting to go back. So now, this season, I am just going to love. Love the minutes, love the days, love the feezing weather, love. It all. Love it all. And experience it. I think sometimes I (we)may stop or slow ourselves down from loving because we know it may hurt when that thing we once loved may no longer be there. We push away friends, lovers (guilty), exeriences for fear that if we love it too deeply, we may just fall forever, and never come out the other side the same as when we came in. But isnt that the point? To change?? How can we, as feeling beings, not want to truly feel something for fear that it May, in fact change us in the end? I know leaving this place will cause me great sorrow, but I know the great joy I have felt here will balance it out. Grateful I am to be able to feel it all. Good and "bad" the highs and lows of everything, everyday. And it will only continue. I will miss Chile, but it will go on. I will go on.
So May, bring it. Light, night, happy sad, whatever. I will love you. I will let myself love you, deeply and without holding back. Thank you, I love you.
Love love love.
thats all.
Chau!
jueves, 22 de abril de 2010
Bargian Shopping
Hello all,
So, I am sitting here writing this as I am eating a strange, University-budget breakfast of Oatmeal with egg. Yes, the egg is In the oatmeal. I figure, you can put an egg in soup, rice... Why not oatmeal??? It isnt so bad to taste, although I wasnt sure if I should salt it lke an egg or sweeten it like oatmeal. (I opted for a little honey and it serves just fine) It has successfully done its job to be digested and leave me with somewhat of a sence of "fullness" or "satisfaction". Thanks otameal.
But, a word about this oatmeal...
Last week, I was tired after school and realized that I basically had No food at my house. So, I decided to skip over (Note:I didn´t really skip) to the open market that is near my school, and buy some food-including oatmeal. Now, it was after about 5 or so, and most of the food stands were closing or already gone, including the lady I Usually buy oatmeal from. So, I asked around and was pointed to a shop around the corner that sells wholesale oats, grains, and pet food. Not the Nicest place, certianly not Safeway, but it would do... So, I went in and did a little price shopping and found some oats for about $1 per Kilo as opposed to the others for about $2 per kilo. I didn´t have much cash on me, and being a bit frugal anyways, I opted for the cheaper one. The lady working there was saying things to me that I couldn´t even understand (think of how you speak in your socio-economic class, lower that class about 5 times, then put it in a different language), but I somehow convinced her that, yes, I wanted one kilo of that, please. She was acting strange for some reason, but after paying (well, after getting my Ticket from her, turning around and paying the ticket to the cashier, and then turning Back around and giving her the reciept...?) I was on my way. Finally.
Next day, I wake up and prepair to eat my oats. I have some nuts and honey and dried fruit and am convinced it will be a great breakfast, as usual. One thing- The oatmeal was Horrible! just, awful. And, Im not sure I can convince you, reading this, that oatmeal could be so disgusting, but, trust me, it was. It like... wasn´t quite seperated from the grain or something, so I kept getting all of these shells in my teeth (think of popcorn kernels-only at breakfast...) and the taste was something I literally had to guilt myself into forcing into my mouth (I am fortunate enough to even get breakfast this morning.).
So, here I am, giving it a 4th go and trying to at least make some use of this tragedy. I did buy it, after all. And I am eating it now, with the egg and honey (wow, Im weird...) and I feel a few crunches as I am biting. hm, crunchy oatmeal, eh?? After some investigating into the rest of the bowl, I found the culprit- a small, dark... Is it a grain? wait, are those little legs?? no way, are they really? Am I sure thats just not grain fibers or something?? fuck. omygod. ew. That actually IS a little bug, dead in my oatmeal. fuck, fuck, fuck. bleh.
Knowing his little friends are buried in my stomach, and making their way to my large intestine offers no more consolidation. Not only have I been eating terrible, shitty oatmeal, but I have also been unknowingly eating a little extra protien from the Animal Kingdom, as well. Guess I don´t need the egg anymore...
Next time, I may opt for the upgrade.
Happy eating!
Chau chau!
So, I am sitting here writing this as I am eating a strange, University-budget breakfast of Oatmeal with egg. Yes, the egg is In the oatmeal. I figure, you can put an egg in soup, rice... Why not oatmeal??? It isnt so bad to taste, although I wasnt sure if I should salt it lke an egg or sweeten it like oatmeal. (I opted for a little honey and it serves just fine) It has successfully done its job to be digested and leave me with somewhat of a sence of "fullness" or "satisfaction". Thanks otameal.
But, a word about this oatmeal...
Last week, I was tired after school and realized that I basically had No food at my house. So, I decided to skip over (Note:I didn´t really skip) to the open market that is near my school, and buy some food-including oatmeal. Now, it was after about 5 or so, and most of the food stands were closing or already gone, including the lady I Usually buy oatmeal from. So, I asked around and was pointed to a shop around the corner that sells wholesale oats, grains, and pet food. Not the Nicest place, certianly not Safeway, but it would do... So, I went in and did a little price shopping and found some oats for about $1 per Kilo as opposed to the others for about $2 per kilo. I didn´t have much cash on me, and being a bit frugal anyways, I opted for the cheaper one. The lady working there was saying things to me that I couldn´t even understand (think of how you speak in your socio-economic class, lower that class about 5 times, then put it in a different language), but I somehow convinced her that, yes, I wanted one kilo of that, please. She was acting strange for some reason, but after paying (well, after getting my Ticket from her, turning around and paying the ticket to the cashier, and then turning Back around and giving her the reciept...?) I was on my way. Finally.
Next day, I wake up and prepair to eat my oats. I have some nuts and honey and dried fruit and am convinced it will be a great breakfast, as usual. One thing- The oatmeal was Horrible! just, awful. And, Im not sure I can convince you, reading this, that oatmeal could be so disgusting, but, trust me, it was. It like... wasn´t quite seperated from the grain or something, so I kept getting all of these shells in my teeth (think of popcorn kernels-only at breakfast...) and the taste was something I literally had to guilt myself into forcing into my mouth (I am fortunate enough to even get breakfast this morning.).
So, here I am, giving it a 4th go and trying to at least make some use of this tragedy. I did buy it, after all. And I am eating it now, with the egg and honey (wow, Im weird...) and I feel a few crunches as I am biting. hm, crunchy oatmeal, eh?? After some investigating into the rest of the bowl, I found the culprit- a small, dark... Is it a grain? wait, are those little legs?? no way, are they really? Am I sure thats just not grain fibers or something?? fuck. omygod. ew. That actually IS a little bug, dead in my oatmeal. fuck, fuck, fuck. bleh.
Knowing his little friends are buried in my stomach, and making their way to my large intestine offers no more consolidation. Not only have I been eating terrible, shitty oatmeal, but I have also been unknowingly eating a little extra protien from the Animal Kingdom, as well. Guess I don´t need the egg anymore...
Next time, I may opt for the upgrade.
Happy eating!
Chau chau!
domingo, 18 de abril de 2010
Priorities: Work, school travel... Sailing, graffitti workshop...(!?)
Hello all,
well well well. Lets see. Friday was a neat day. It was really beautiful out- the sun was shining, and I was hanging on my roof with my roomate, reading, chatting etc... Then I got a text from my friend Rachael asking if I wanted to go sailing with her and her friends (two of which are in the Navy and have access to boats). Obviouisly, I said yes, and happily rode my bike to Viña to meet up with them. About halfway into my ride I realized that I had signed up for a graffitti workshop that day at 5. It was already about 3, and I knew I would not return to Valpo anywhere within the 5 o clock hour. Hmmmm. I could either turn around, wait for 2 hours and go to graffitti, OR go sailing. I chose to go sailing.
It was great, but I felt really seasick for a bit and needed to lay down. It was cool at first, and then I realized how much I disliked the feeling of my foundation swaying underneath me (common theme???). So, I continued to breathe, drank some water, tried to convince myself to just get over it, and eventually felt better on the way back to the dock. Sweet, sweet ground!
After I got back to Valpo, I made some dinner with my roomates and had a party. My French roomates themed it where everyone had to dress as anything that starts with the letter "J". Little tricky, but they were all the Jackson 5 (really funny) and I was a Journey. I wore little things from my trip, as I originally wasnt stoked on the theme, but got more into it as the night went on.
The next day was nice, and I built a little table and chairs with my roomate (who is 6 months pregnant and impresses me daily) and then had an asado on my rooftop with friends. It sounds great, and it was, but I had slowly manifested a terrible migrane, and spent the rest of the night in bed, trying to get over the pain.
This has happened a few times this year, and I am trying to catalogue every time when it happens to see what the factors could be. Something I ate, something I did? Not enough water, change in the climate??? One common theme is sleep. Nights where I havent slept well, or enough, etc... And now I think another common theme is stress.
STRESS!?!?!?! Whaaatttt!?!??! My Pacific, relaxed life here could be causing me stress? Well, not likely. But the lack of structure the wondering constantly of what I am going to make up for myself to do today, the never ending thoughts about how much I miss my family, or that one time....... Whatever it may be, I just put my head in to spins thinking and reeling, and trying to figure out what is good, better, best and ok for me to do here. Here, there, anywhere. So maybe thats it. My body is manifesting all of these negative things and feelings and building them up in myself to the point where they cause excruciating pain physically. I am (we are) one living system, after all. One being where each aspect has an effect on the other(s). So, trying to maintain that all in one healthy balance. huh. ok. Working on that.
So where do I fit in in my priorities? Obviously, I would like to say that my health and my needs come first, but I still party sometimes, I still eat too much sometimes, I still don´t find outlets for my emotions so they stay and cause my body pain... And then there is school, and how I live every other aspect of my life. How I treat my friends, how I care for people that care about me. How I want to and need to be "there" for people, while still being "there" for me.
Do I/we have to pick-and-choose where our priorities lie? I guess so. Why else would we go to work on a beautiful day? Money, job More important than getting out on a nice day.
Right!?
...Still working on the traveling/school priority list. I guess it depends on how you even define "education" in the first place... But thats a different thought entirely.
Off to bed now, to rest my weary head.
chau chau
well well well. Lets see. Friday was a neat day. It was really beautiful out- the sun was shining, and I was hanging on my roof with my roomate, reading, chatting etc... Then I got a text from my friend Rachael asking if I wanted to go sailing with her and her friends (two of which are in the Navy and have access to boats). Obviouisly, I said yes, and happily rode my bike to Viña to meet up with them. About halfway into my ride I realized that I had signed up for a graffitti workshop that day at 5. It was already about 3, and I knew I would not return to Valpo anywhere within the 5 o clock hour. Hmmmm. I could either turn around, wait for 2 hours and go to graffitti, OR go sailing. I chose to go sailing.
It was great, but I felt really seasick for a bit and needed to lay down. It was cool at first, and then I realized how much I disliked the feeling of my foundation swaying underneath me (common theme???). So, I continued to breathe, drank some water, tried to convince myself to just get over it, and eventually felt better on the way back to the dock. Sweet, sweet ground!
After I got back to Valpo, I made some dinner with my roomates and had a party. My French roomates themed it where everyone had to dress as anything that starts with the letter "J". Little tricky, but they were all the Jackson 5 (really funny) and I was a Journey. I wore little things from my trip, as I originally wasnt stoked on the theme, but got more into it as the night went on.
The next day was nice, and I built a little table and chairs with my roomate (who is 6 months pregnant and impresses me daily) and then had an asado on my rooftop with friends. It sounds great, and it was, but I had slowly manifested a terrible migrane, and spent the rest of the night in bed, trying to get over the pain.
This has happened a few times this year, and I am trying to catalogue every time when it happens to see what the factors could be. Something I ate, something I did? Not enough water, change in the climate??? One common theme is sleep. Nights where I havent slept well, or enough, etc... And now I think another common theme is stress.
STRESS!?!?!?! Whaaatttt!?!??! My Pacific, relaxed life here could be causing me stress? Well, not likely. But the lack of structure the wondering constantly of what I am going to make up for myself to do today, the never ending thoughts about how much I miss my family, or that one time....... Whatever it may be, I just put my head in to spins thinking and reeling, and trying to figure out what is good, better, best and ok for me to do here. Here, there, anywhere. So maybe thats it. My body is manifesting all of these negative things and feelings and building them up in myself to the point where they cause excruciating pain physically. I am (we are) one living system, after all. One being where each aspect has an effect on the other(s). So, trying to maintain that all in one healthy balance. huh. ok. Working on that.
So where do I fit in in my priorities? Obviously, I would like to say that my health and my needs come first, but I still party sometimes, I still eat too much sometimes, I still don´t find outlets for my emotions so they stay and cause my body pain... And then there is school, and how I live every other aspect of my life. How I treat my friends, how I care for people that care about me. How I want to and need to be "there" for people, while still being "there" for me.
Do I/we have to pick-and-choose where our priorities lie? I guess so. Why else would we go to work on a beautiful day? Money, job More important than getting out on a nice day.
Right!?
...Still working on the traveling/school priority list. I guess it depends on how you even define "education" in the first place... But thats a different thought entirely.
Off to bed now, to rest my weary head.
chau chau
jueves, 8 de abril de 2010
A good day
Hello All,
Today was a really good day. I woke up relieved to find myself not as crazy as I thought I was last night. Do you ever just feel a little crazy? Well, I did last night, but Im over it. So today, I hung out with Margot for a bit, then went to buy some veggies and fruit in one of the markets. I live on a hill, so everything is Down from me. So, I took this LONG set of stairs down (instead of the ascensor) and was greeted by someone inside a beautiful courtyard of their house. He said hello and asked how I was, and I responded to both accordingly. Then, I began to continue my descent, and the father of the guy yelled down to me, and asked me to join them for lunch in about 20 minutes. Well, shit! Sure!
So, I did all I needed to do at the little market, picking and weighing and paying for my food for the next week, and began to go back up the stairs for my lunch date. I entered the courtyard and eventually the big, spacious home of the two guys who live there. The father of one of the guys is visiting from Santiago, and is Italian by blood. Naturally, we ate pasta, and made both a pesto sauce and green sauce. It was all so green! And so beautiful. One of the guys is an incredible stop-motion (?) animator...
So, we ate, drank some vino and hung out. I had an appointment at 4, and leisurly made my way back to my house (close). The appointment I had was with a lady who does Reiki.
So, Margot and I met back up, and met up with the lady and each had our own private Reiki session. It was really interesting, and she told me a lot of good things about my chakras, and how I am.
anyway, I am going to a concert now, so I´ll chat chat sooooon!
chau chau
Today was a really good day. I woke up relieved to find myself not as crazy as I thought I was last night. Do you ever just feel a little crazy? Well, I did last night, but Im over it. So today, I hung out with Margot for a bit, then went to buy some veggies and fruit in one of the markets. I live on a hill, so everything is Down from me. So, I took this LONG set of stairs down (instead of the ascensor) and was greeted by someone inside a beautiful courtyard of their house. He said hello and asked how I was, and I responded to both accordingly. Then, I began to continue my descent, and the father of the guy yelled down to me, and asked me to join them for lunch in about 20 minutes. Well, shit! Sure!
So, I did all I needed to do at the little market, picking and weighing and paying for my food for the next week, and began to go back up the stairs for my lunch date. I entered the courtyard and eventually the big, spacious home of the two guys who live there. The father of one of the guys is visiting from Santiago, and is Italian by blood. Naturally, we ate pasta, and made both a pesto sauce and green sauce. It was all so green! And so beautiful. One of the guys is an incredible stop-motion (?) animator...
So, we ate, drank some vino and hung out. I had an appointment at 4, and leisurly made my way back to my house (close). The appointment I had was with a lady who does Reiki.
So, Margot and I met back up, and met up with the lady and each had our own private Reiki session. It was really interesting, and she told me a lot of good things about my chakras, and how I am.
anyway, I am going to a concert now, so I´ll chat chat sooooon!
chau chau
lunes, 5 de abril de 2010
Everyday adventures
Hello all,
Every day is an adventure.
Today I ran errands with one of my roomates, and it was fun. It was so simple, but I couldn´t stop smiling. I spoke NO english today and didnt even think twice about it. (Until now, I guess). I only have a FEW more months, days, weeks, moments to absorb here. I reflect often on weather or not I am where I want to be, mentally and emotionally. And I am exactly where I should be. I FEEL. Every day. I feel. Sad, happy, excited, inspired, lonley, pissed off at the cat that used my bed as a litterbox... Whatever it is, I do feel it. And I think constantly. More than ever, I guess. And now that I can actually formulate my thoughts into words, I think EVEN MORE, and then Speak. Instead of getting lost in verb conjugations and vocabulary, I just speak. Even if its not right "". I do it anyway. And get corrected constantly. Sometimes I invent words, and thats ok too. I am trying. And I have help. A lot of it. And I am thankful for that. LOVE LIFE.
Love life.
Thats all.
Chau chau
Every day is an adventure.
Today I ran errands with one of my roomates, and it was fun. It was so simple, but I couldn´t stop smiling. I spoke NO english today and didnt even think twice about it. (Until now, I guess). I only have a FEW more months, days, weeks, moments to absorb here. I reflect often on weather or not I am where I want to be, mentally and emotionally. And I am exactly where I should be. I FEEL. Every day. I feel. Sad, happy, excited, inspired, lonley, pissed off at the cat that used my bed as a litterbox... Whatever it is, I do feel it. And I think constantly. More than ever, I guess. And now that I can actually formulate my thoughts into words, I think EVEN MORE, and then Speak. Instead of getting lost in verb conjugations and vocabulary, I just speak. Even if its not right "". I do it anyway. And get corrected constantly. Sometimes I invent words, and thats ok too. I am trying. And I have help. A lot of it. And I am thankful for that. LOVE LIFE.
Love life.
Thats all.
Chau chau
jueves, 1 de abril de 2010
ah, Chiloé.....
Hola todos!
Last weekend was perhaps one of the most beautifuly unique weekends I have spent here and maybe ever. The island of Chiloè is situated in the South of Chile, off the coast near Puerto Montt. It has its own very unique culture and a lot of folklore, mystery and other legends. Apart from the fact that it is shrouded in mystery, it is also INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL.
We left early in the morning on Friday to get down there.My study abroad program rules, and only the people who were here last semester went on this trip. There were 6 of us students (one couldn´t go) and two chapperones who are totally rad. So, from the get-go we were chatting, laughing, joking and having a wonderful time. This did not stop throughout the entire weekend, and we all just had SO much fun with eachother. So becides laugh a lot, here´s what we did...
Friday: Arrived in Puerto Montt early in the morning, and took a ferry over to the island. We were on two modes of transport at the same time, and it was a little trippy. We were in our van, on a boat! How silly. But it was really neat, and nice to chill for a bit on the water. Then, we got to the Island of Chiloè and drove off the ferry to Ancud, a town on the coast there. In Ancud we went to a historical museum, and then did some more tours around the cool old churches that are there and in surrounding towns. Then, in the afternoon we went to Castro to eat a delicious lunch (which became the norm)at our hostel. Then we just hung out, went to walk around Castro and got a much deserved sleep. (After another delicious meal of seafood and white wine)
Saturday: Such a beautiful day... We woke up and saw the houses that are built on stilts right in the bay of Chiloé (picutres are coming), and then drove some more to the place where we would spend one of the most lovely afternoon´s and evenings´ever. It was the house of our chaperone Alejandro´s friends who lives there and works as a fisherman. Where he lives looks like he lives on a lake, but within a few hours the sea´s tide goes down to reveal the land underneath. Sidenote: Really cool to watch the transformation.: Then, as we waited for lunch to be prepaired, we took out his sea kayaks and kayaked around in the calm, ocean water. It was a beautiful day, and Peter and I decided it was apt for swimming. So, we stripped down and swam in the cold cold water. It was awesome. Then, we all headed back to eat this traditional meal of seafood, potatoes and other meats called Curanto. BUT, I am not giving this ANY justice. This meal was absolutley incredible. Here´s how it was done:
First, we had a nice big fire with these grapefruit-sized stones in it. After a few hours (yes, it took forever!) we took out the wood so only the stones remained, and then poured all ofthe fresh seafood over them to cook along with the other ingredients, chicken, pork and potatoes. All fresh and without any seasoning or anything... THEN, we covered the elements with HUGE leafs from the forest, and put bread on top of them to cook as well. THEN we covered the bread with the grassy part of earth dug up from the yard. At the end, it looked like a big pile of sod with steam coming out of it. Then, we waited. And drank wine. And shared stories. And played the guitar. and sat in bliss. Then, it was ready and time to unveil what would be one of (if not THE) best meals I have ever eaten. Although there were about 10 of us, we hardly made a dent in this food. There was so much of it! but, damn, was it good.
After we finished and hung out more, we eventually went back to our hostel. Well, the others did. I went with Peter and Alejandro to the local school gymnasium to watch their rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. yea.
Then, we went back, ate MORE seafood, drank MORE wine, and eventually went out to a bar. The night ended in the morning; after one real bar and one speak-easy-style Heavy Metal bar (complete wiht gargoyles and passed-out dude on the floor).
Sunday: In the morning, we went to visit the first Modern Art museum in Chile! It was really cool, and I "choreographed" an improvisational piece representing the ledgends of the Island. Then, we slowly made our way back, and eventually got on a plane to come back to Valpo. We didn´t arrive till about 2 AM on Monday morning, and due to my not-so-riggorous school schedule, I was able to sleep all day and not miss any classes.
Wow, so.... Back now, and am planning on staying in one place for a while. Also:::::Today I went to a place that does FREE MODERN DANCE WORKSHOPS!!!!!!!!! There is an audition on the 27, and I am super stoked to DANCE! wohoooooooooooo!
So, thats the news. Now off to an asado,and a hat party! :) Happy April!
chau chau!
Last weekend was perhaps one of the most beautifuly unique weekends I have spent here and maybe ever. The island of Chiloè is situated in the South of Chile, off the coast near Puerto Montt. It has its own very unique culture and a lot of folklore, mystery and other legends. Apart from the fact that it is shrouded in mystery, it is also INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL.
We left early in the morning on Friday to get down there.My study abroad program rules, and only the people who were here last semester went on this trip. There were 6 of us students (one couldn´t go) and two chapperones who are totally rad. So, from the get-go we were chatting, laughing, joking and having a wonderful time. This did not stop throughout the entire weekend, and we all just had SO much fun with eachother. So becides laugh a lot, here´s what we did...
Friday: Arrived in Puerto Montt early in the morning, and took a ferry over to the island. We were on two modes of transport at the same time, and it was a little trippy. We were in our van, on a boat! How silly. But it was really neat, and nice to chill for a bit on the water. Then, we got to the Island of Chiloè and drove off the ferry to Ancud, a town on the coast there. In Ancud we went to a historical museum, and then did some more tours around the cool old churches that are there and in surrounding towns. Then, in the afternoon we went to Castro to eat a delicious lunch (which became the norm)at our hostel. Then we just hung out, went to walk around Castro and got a much deserved sleep. (After another delicious meal of seafood and white wine)
Saturday: Such a beautiful day... We woke up and saw the houses that are built on stilts right in the bay of Chiloé (picutres are coming), and then drove some more to the place where we would spend one of the most lovely afternoon´s and evenings´ever. It was the house of our chaperone Alejandro´s friends who lives there and works as a fisherman. Where he lives looks like he lives on a lake, but within a few hours the sea´s tide goes down to reveal the land underneath. Sidenote: Really cool to watch the transformation.: Then, as we waited for lunch to be prepaired, we took out his sea kayaks and kayaked around in the calm, ocean water. It was a beautiful day, and Peter and I decided it was apt for swimming. So, we stripped down and swam in the cold cold water. It was awesome. Then, we all headed back to eat this traditional meal of seafood, potatoes and other meats called Curanto. BUT, I am not giving this ANY justice. This meal was absolutley incredible. Here´s how it was done:
First, we had a nice big fire with these grapefruit-sized stones in it. After a few hours (yes, it took forever!) we took out the wood so only the stones remained, and then poured all ofthe fresh seafood over them to cook along with the other ingredients, chicken, pork and potatoes. All fresh and without any seasoning or anything... THEN, we covered the elements with HUGE leafs from the forest, and put bread on top of them to cook as well. THEN we covered the bread with the grassy part of earth dug up from the yard. At the end, it looked like a big pile of sod with steam coming out of it. Then, we waited. And drank wine. And shared stories. And played the guitar. and sat in bliss. Then, it was ready and time to unveil what would be one of (if not THE) best meals I have ever eaten. Although there were about 10 of us, we hardly made a dent in this food. There was so much of it! but, damn, was it good.
After we finished and hung out more, we eventually went back to our hostel. Well, the others did. I went with Peter and Alejandro to the local school gymnasium to watch their rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. yea.
Then, we went back, ate MORE seafood, drank MORE wine, and eventually went out to a bar. The night ended in the morning; after one real bar and one speak-easy-style Heavy Metal bar (complete wiht gargoyles and passed-out dude on the floor).
Sunday: In the morning, we went to visit the first Modern Art museum in Chile! It was really cool, and I "choreographed" an improvisational piece representing the ledgends of the Island. Then, we slowly made our way back, and eventually got on a plane to come back to Valpo. We didn´t arrive till about 2 AM on Monday morning, and due to my not-so-riggorous school schedule, I was able to sleep all day and not miss any classes.
Wow, so.... Back now, and am planning on staying in one place for a while. Also:::::Today I went to a place that does FREE MODERN DANCE WORKSHOPS!!!!!!!!! There is an audition on the 27, and I am super stoked to DANCE! wohoooooooooooo!
So, thats the news. Now off to an asado,and a hat party! :) Happy April!
chau chau!
jueves, 25 de marzo de 2010
Places and things and developing
Hello all...
Here I find myslef again in the busy, crazy world of Valparaìso, Chile. I got back earlier in the week after a 5 day trip to see John Keim and his sisters, Abby and Amanda and their mom, Ingrid in the enormous city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 5 days trickled by in this crazy white water adventure of mine, and some pretty entertaining stories came from the journey... Note: It is very entertaining to stay across the street from a sex hotel. Enough said.
Anyway, my time in BA was really interesting, because I finally got to see what all the fuss was about. I have heard from SO many people who LOVE the city, and would elope with it were it an actual living being. But, I also talked to a few people who were not so enthralled, and viewed it as just another big city. So, what did I think??? Well, overall I liked it. A lot, actually. From the moseying around in the different, colorful barrios, to bustling through Florida street to NOT sleeping during the night time... It was fun and had a good energy. I can see how it would turn some people off, though. IT IS HUGE. I felt almost as if I was in a different city each day, and that it could easily swallow me if it wanted to. But it was colorful, fun and full of music. Which, obviously, I like.
So, speaking of colors, fun and music, I am IN VALPO. And it rules. Valparaìso is truly a unique city. I see, smell, hear and feeeeel something new every day. I walk about 30 minutes to class, and just enjoy every second of every sensation I experience along the way. From the vendors singing their sales, to the construction workers chit-chatting, to the smells (both good and bad) on the street of.... whatever is cooking. It is so thriving. It lives and breathes every second of every day. It is a constantly changing, morphing organism. And it has digested me into its system.
Updates:
So, I have started classes, finally! And I really like them all. I am taking Portugues (because, one day I will go to Brazil), Geography of Latinamerica, Chilean dialect, History of Valparaìso, and Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. wow. yes. bakan. The last class I mentioned about Sustainable Development intrests me a whole lot. The whole theme of Developent, sustainability, all this... Is so complex that it takes my brain for a nice long exercise. What does it mean to "develop"? What IS Sustainable??? So many people say that Chile is "developing"- but, how??? With more cars and plastic bags to support their growing number of Supermarkets??? With their interest in damming the Patagonia Wilderness or mining through Glaciers to provide More people with More stuff and more energy??? Don`t get me wrong, I am all about providing people with basic goods like heat and electricity, but at what cost?? fuuuuuuck. at WHAT COST!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
damn.
Ah, to be a critically-thinking human. mmmm. Well. Whatever. We are all part of it.
In class the other day, one of my Professors was glad to hear that a majority of us were so interested in sustainability and the Environment and stuff, and he basically said that it is up to us, and that WE are the hope, etc... But, last time I checked, We ALL ARE. We are ALL on this planet, hello, riiiight!?!?!?!?!?!? Young, old, whatever. We ALL consume. EVERY DAY WE DEVOUR THE EARTH. Every. Single. Day. So, maybe we can just do it less????? maybe.
Well, anyway, that may be all of my ranting power for now. The only reason I am wiriting this now is beacuse I couldn`t find the place where I saw a free pilates class advertised. So, here I am, ranting and bitching... :) But, well. There we go.
Have a blessed day.
Chau Chau
Here I find myslef again in the busy, crazy world of Valparaìso, Chile. I got back earlier in the week after a 5 day trip to see John Keim and his sisters, Abby and Amanda and their mom, Ingrid in the enormous city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 5 days trickled by in this crazy white water adventure of mine, and some pretty entertaining stories came from the journey... Note: It is very entertaining to stay across the street from a sex hotel. Enough said.
Anyway, my time in BA was really interesting, because I finally got to see what all the fuss was about. I have heard from SO many people who LOVE the city, and would elope with it were it an actual living being. But, I also talked to a few people who were not so enthralled, and viewed it as just another big city. So, what did I think??? Well, overall I liked it. A lot, actually. From the moseying around in the different, colorful barrios, to bustling through Florida street to NOT sleeping during the night time... It was fun and had a good energy. I can see how it would turn some people off, though. IT IS HUGE. I felt almost as if I was in a different city each day, and that it could easily swallow me if it wanted to. But it was colorful, fun and full of music. Which, obviously, I like.
So, speaking of colors, fun and music, I am IN VALPO. And it rules. Valparaìso is truly a unique city. I see, smell, hear and feeeeel something new every day. I walk about 30 minutes to class, and just enjoy every second of every sensation I experience along the way. From the vendors singing their sales, to the construction workers chit-chatting, to the smells (both good and bad) on the street of.... whatever is cooking. It is so thriving. It lives and breathes every second of every day. It is a constantly changing, morphing organism. And it has digested me into its system.
Updates:
So, I have started classes, finally! And I really like them all. I am taking Portugues (because, one day I will go to Brazil), Geography of Latinamerica, Chilean dialect, History of Valparaìso, and Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. wow. yes. bakan. The last class I mentioned about Sustainable Development intrests me a whole lot. The whole theme of Developent, sustainability, all this... Is so complex that it takes my brain for a nice long exercise. What does it mean to "develop"? What IS Sustainable??? So many people say that Chile is "developing"- but, how??? With more cars and plastic bags to support their growing number of Supermarkets??? With their interest in damming the Patagonia Wilderness or mining through Glaciers to provide More people with More stuff and more energy??? Don`t get me wrong, I am all about providing people with basic goods like heat and electricity, but at what cost?? fuuuuuuck. at WHAT COST!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
damn.
Ah, to be a critically-thinking human. mmmm. Well. Whatever. We are all part of it.
In class the other day, one of my Professors was glad to hear that a majority of us were so interested in sustainability and the Environment and stuff, and he basically said that it is up to us, and that WE are the hope, etc... But, last time I checked, We ALL ARE. We are ALL on this planet, hello, riiiight!?!?!?!?!?!? Young, old, whatever. We ALL consume. EVERY DAY WE DEVOUR THE EARTH. Every. Single. Day. So, maybe we can just do it less????? maybe.
Well, anyway, that may be all of my ranting power for now. The only reason I am wiriting this now is beacuse I couldn`t find the place where I saw a free pilates class advertised. So, here I am, ranting and bitching... :) But, well. There we go.
Have a blessed day.
Chau Chau
martes, 16 de marzo de 2010
Again, Buenos Aires
Hello all,
Well, still here. Sorry to leave so briefly on the last post. After lunch and a nap now, and I am feeling oh-so-nice. John and I are in this sweet little apartment in a neat barrio that is realatevly close to his mom and sister's apartment here. It is warmly comforting to see so many familiar faces so far from where I saw them last. How lucky I am! I was getting a little nostalgic this last week about home, family and Colorado, so seeing bits of that is so lovely. So, yea here I am in Buenos Aires! wohoooooooo!!!! I have wanted to come here for a while now, so I am really glad to be here now. It is soooo big and I have seen a fingernail of it, but so far I like it. The Argentinians here are so different than the Chileans. I feel like I am in Denver or something. Everyone is Super fit, and has really light skin and there are more blondes here than I have seen in.... A very long time. Ingrid, John's mother actually told me that Argentina has the Highest anorexia rate in the world! Ironic, given that the food here is o good! She was also saying how self-conscious so many of the people are here, and how some of them won't even dance on the beach during a concert. wow. BUT, that is just a very, very small population of this country and im sure in no way represents any kind of national sentiment. Both John and I have contacts here, so we'll hopefully get to see and experience more of the culture as we continue our trip. yay! Glad to be here... So glad, in fact, that I am going to go experience it Right Now. Keep you posted...
Chau!
Well, still here. Sorry to leave so briefly on the last post. After lunch and a nap now, and I am feeling oh-so-nice. John and I are in this sweet little apartment in a neat barrio that is realatevly close to his mom and sister's apartment here. It is warmly comforting to see so many familiar faces so far from where I saw them last. How lucky I am! I was getting a little nostalgic this last week about home, family and Colorado, so seeing bits of that is so lovely. So, yea here I am in Buenos Aires! wohoooooooo!!!! I have wanted to come here for a while now, so I am really glad to be here now. It is soooo big and I have seen a fingernail of it, but so far I like it. The Argentinians here are so different than the Chileans. I feel like I am in Denver or something. Everyone is Super fit, and has really light skin and there are more blondes here than I have seen in.... A very long time. Ingrid, John's mother actually told me that Argentina has the Highest anorexia rate in the world! Ironic, given that the food here is o good! She was also saying how self-conscious so many of the people are here, and how some of them won't even dance on the beach during a concert. wow. BUT, that is just a very, very small population of this country and im sure in no way represents any kind of national sentiment. Both John and I have contacts here, so we'll hopefully get to see and experience more of the culture as we continue our trip. yay! Glad to be here... So glad, in fact, that I am going to go experience it Right Now. Keep you posted...
Chau!
Bueeeeeeeenos, Aires....
Hello all!
Writing here, sipping an Argentinian Malbek wine and relaxing after a nearly 24 hour bus ride, finally! Needless to say, I am safely in Argentina. It is hard to believe it is my first time in this country whose border is shared with the one I have now spent significant time in, but well, here I am. I left Chile at around 8 yesterday after my roomate Roberto gave me a lift to the bus station in Valpo at the sunrise time of around 7:30. I got on the bus, and prepaired for the journey which was long, but plesant. So many people were surprised that I was going in bus instead of plane, because a bus is at least 6 times slower. Or, just takes WAY longer. 24 hours versus 4... BUT, its also more than $200 cheaper, and you can see scenery fly by and just think and space out for a while. So, duh... It is one of my preffered methods of travel. And how else do we spend days, anyways? Thinking, spacing out, doing "things"...??? So this was just another day, only with less corporal movement. I am actually reading this really good book right now called What is the What, by Dave Eggers. He also wrote A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which is excellent as well. This book now, What is the What, is biographical and about a Lost Boy who escaped from, and survived the Sudanese Civil War. It is at some points, although true, very very hard to believe. He describes (it is written in beautiful first-person prose) the way hundreds and thousands of people had been murdered, at any given time, and by all methods, by their own people.
And this is something my young mind can STILL not Really believe. The way human life is indespensibale to the point where a single movement of the index finger around a plastic apparatus can just BOOM. Send someone into the next stage of this human, soul experience... well, shit. I have to go eat lunch with Johnathans mother and sister now, So, I will pick up next time... stay tuned! :)
Chau cahu.
Writing here, sipping an Argentinian Malbek wine and relaxing after a nearly 24 hour bus ride, finally! Needless to say, I am safely in Argentina. It is hard to believe it is my first time in this country whose border is shared with the one I have now spent significant time in, but well, here I am. I left Chile at around 8 yesterday after my roomate Roberto gave me a lift to the bus station in Valpo at the sunrise time of around 7:30. I got on the bus, and prepaired for the journey which was long, but plesant. So many people were surprised that I was going in bus instead of plane, because a bus is at least 6 times slower. Or, just takes WAY longer. 24 hours versus 4... BUT, its also more than $200 cheaper, and you can see scenery fly by and just think and space out for a while. So, duh... It is one of my preffered methods of travel. And how else do we spend days, anyways? Thinking, spacing out, doing "things"...??? So this was just another day, only with less corporal movement. I am actually reading this really good book right now called What is the What, by Dave Eggers. He also wrote A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which is excellent as well. This book now, What is the What, is biographical and about a Lost Boy who escaped from, and survived the Sudanese Civil War. It is at some points, although true, very very hard to believe. He describes (it is written in beautiful first-person prose) the way hundreds and thousands of people had been murdered, at any given time, and by all methods, by their own people.
And this is something my young mind can STILL not Really believe. The way human life is indespensibale to the point where a single movement of the index finger around a plastic apparatus can just BOOM. Send someone into the next stage of this human, soul experience... well, shit. I have to go eat lunch with Johnathans mother and sister now, So, I will pick up next time... stay tuned! :)
Chau cahu.
jueves, 11 de marzo de 2010
Learning How To....
Hello all,
Well, its been a while and the reason nothing has been written is because there is really not much to write. My days here back in Valpo consist of getting up when Im ready (which is surprisingly around 9 or 930), going up to my roof and stretching/dancing for a bit, eating some breakfast and..... well, not doing much else. I went with my roomate Marie one day to get her a guitar, and ended up buying an English lesson book off the street for about a dollar. Hopefully it will pay itself off. Joke.
Other than that..... I have been thinking about this whole theme of "getting over" things. Like missing family, friends, cultural familiarity... But these are things you just get over. You realize that some things simply cannot and will not change, so you do. You change, you adapt. You live. And its all, usually, for the better. There are still a few things I am working on getting over, like when people assume that I get all of my money from my super rich parents, and have never worked before. (or, if I have, in Starbucks Coffee). And this still kind of pisses me off. But, I just need to GET OVER IT. And just accept the fact that a lot of people DO think that everyone from the US lives off their parents money and doesnt do shit. Well, I kindly explain to them otherwise, and try not to be like, "and what the hell are YOU doing with yourself becides living with your parents and NOT working???". But, again. the assumptions are not Bad, and maybe its time I stop taking offence to them, and just let it be. Let it be.
Thats one thing Ive also learned how to do down here. Let things BE. I have no idea what is being said around me. Listen, let it be. I cannot communicate my feelings. wait, try, let it be. I really sometimes have NO idea what I am doing here. let it be. well.
Also, amongst many other things of learning How To.... Its nice now to know more of what Chile is like. I can walk the walk a little more, and am improving my talk the talk daily. But also, learning How to walk, how to appear, how to cook and share and live and travel and communicate... Damn, I am SO glad I stayed! My feet feel so much more confident and grounded. I am no longer walking in this mystery fog of, "Chile...????" so, thats nice. And everything is just more familiar, too. Even though every day is new, exciting and awesome, I still feel more accostomed to it all. Like a reoccuring dream. I know the plot, but the landscape and characters are constantly changing. so, thats nice.
.....I register for classes tomorrow, so it looks like it will be another busy semester. But I think thats part of the reason I am here, right? Something about Studying Abroad??? Something like that. Anyway, ONE (well, two actually) more trips before I may be done traveling. I am going to Buenos Aires (!) to meet my dear dear friend John Keim for about a week, then coming back and leaving a few days after that to go to Chiloe in the South of Chile with my "Study" abroad program. Theres that word again, Study... oh yea, I remember that now... hm....
well, off to the books I guess!
Until more exciting news arises...
Chau!
Well, its been a while and the reason nothing has been written is because there is really not much to write. My days here back in Valpo consist of getting up when Im ready (which is surprisingly around 9 or 930), going up to my roof and stretching/dancing for a bit, eating some breakfast and..... well, not doing much else. I went with my roomate Marie one day to get her a guitar, and ended up buying an English lesson book off the street for about a dollar. Hopefully it will pay itself off. Joke.
Other than that..... I have been thinking about this whole theme of "getting over" things. Like missing family, friends, cultural familiarity... But these are things you just get over. You realize that some things simply cannot and will not change, so you do. You change, you adapt. You live. And its all, usually, for the better. There are still a few things I am working on getting over, like when people assume that I get all of my money from my super rich parents, and have never worked before. (or, if I have, in Starbucks Coffee). And this still kind of pisses me off. But, I just need to GET OVER IT. And just accept the fact that a lot of people DO think that everyone from the US lives off their parents money and doesnt do shit. Well, I kindly explain to them otherwise, and try not to be like, "and what the hell are YOU doing with yourself becides living with your parents and NOT working???". But, again. the assumptions are not Bad, and maybe its time I stop taking offence to them, and just let it be. Let it be.
Thats one thing Ive also learned how to do down here. Let things BE. I have no idea what is being said around me. Listen, let it be. I cannot communicate my feelings. wait, try, let it be. I really sometimes have NO idea what I am doing here. let it be. well.
Also, amongst many other things of learning How To.... Its nice now to know more of what Chile is like. I can walk the walk a little more, and am improving my talk the talk daily. But also, learning How to walk, how to appear, how to cook and share and live and travel and communicate... Damn, I am SO glad I stayed! My feet feel so much more confident and grounded. I am no longer walking in this mystery fog of, "Chile...????" so, thats nice. And everything is just more familiar, too. Even though every day is new, exciting and awesome, I still feel more accostomed to it all. Like a reoccuring dream. I know the plot, but the landscape and characters are constantly changing. so, thats nice.
.....I register for classes tomorrow, so it looks like it will be another busy semester. But I think thats part of the reason I am here, right? Something about Studying Abroad??? Something like that. Anyway, ONE (well, two actually) more trips before I may be done traveling. I am going to Buenos Aires (!) to meet my dear dear friend John Keim for about a week, then coming back and leaving a few days after that to go to Chiloe in the South of Chile with my "Study" abroad program. Theres that word again, Study... oh yea, I remember that now... hm....
well, off to the books I guess!
Until more exciting news arises...
Chau!
sábado, 27 de febrero de 2010
EARTHshAking
Hellllllooooo all
Safe and sound. Last night, I went to sleep in my new apartment in Valparaiso, Chile. I was feeling a little unsettled, so I danced for a bit and took in my new space. At some point, I entered my REM sleep cycle, but was interrupted by the earth shaking and moving all around me. It was dark, and about 3:30 in the morning. My early, initial thoughts were something along the lines of "wha-what the fuck is going on!? wowowow...." And then i realized I was in an earthquake. I had heard that it is best to stand in a doorframe during a quake, as they are structuraly sound, but I was nearly paralyzed by the strange pressure of earth, moving miles beneath me. I stayed in my bed, and was waiting a bit for it to either get crazier, or get better and calmer. Luckily, the second option happened first, and it soon exhaled and calmed down. I was a little shaken, and was waiting another tremmor when my landlord came downstairs to make sure everything was ok. And it was. At around 5am, the tremmors subsided, and I was finally able to close my eyes peacefully. At around 8, I talked to my friend Margot who was very concerned to see how I was doing. Having ONLY experienced the quake from my bedroom, I said I was fine, and was a little confused as to why she was so worried. Ignorance is bliss??
She apparently was on the 3rd story of an old building when in happened, and immediately took to the streets to stay on firmer ground. She related to me that during the terremoto, people went crazy in the dark streets of Valpo. breaking bottles, screaming, yelling, dancing.... As if the end of the world were coming and they were glad to have it end this way.
It wasnt until this morning that I realized the real magnitude of what had happened, and realized that just hours from where I am, things were much worse and damage much greater. My city is realitively ok, and my building is, too. Everyone I know down here is fine, and I am very thankful for that. I saw on the NY times website that Concepcion is pretty destroied, and that Santiago got kind of shaken up as well. I cant see the sea rising up to my window yet, so hopefully no tsunamis come my way. Really, though. Everything is OK. You all may be better off just appreciating the calm world around you, and talking to loved ones and friends. Turn off the news. Turnon your favorite music and have a dinner party instead. Appreciate and find solid ground in any way you can, and enjoy it. You never know when it will start to trembel and shift. And Thank you, thank you for all of the concerns and good thoughts and wishes. I can feel those no matter how much the world shakes.
Until a calmer next time...
Chau!
Safe and sound. Last night, I went to sleep in my new apartment in Valparaiso, Chile. I was feeling a little unsettled, so I danced for a bit and took in my new space. At some point, I entered my REM sleep cycle, but was interrupted by the earth shaking and moving all around me. It was dark, and about 3:30 in the morning. My early, initial thoughts were something along the lines of "wha-what the fuck is going on!? wowowow...." And then i realized I was in an earthquake. I had heard that it is best to stand in a doorframe during a quake, as they are structuraly sound, but I was nearly paralyzed by the strange pressure of earth, moving miles beneath me. I stayed in my bed, and was waiting a bit for it to either get crazier, or get better and calmer. Luckily, the second option happened first, and it soon exhaled and calmed down. I was a little shaken, and was waiting another tremmor when my landlord came downstairs to make sure everything was ok. And it was. At around 5am, the tremmors subsided, and I was finally able to close my eyes peacefully. At around 8, I talked to my friend Margot who was very concerned to see how I was doing. Having ONLY experienced the quake from my bedroom, I said I was fine, and was a little confused as to why she was so worried. Ignorance is bliss??
She apparently was on the 3rd story of an old building when in happened, and immediately took to the streets to stay on firmer ground. She related to me that during the terremoto, people went crazy in the dark streets of Valpo. breaking bottles, screaming, yelling, dancing.... As if the end of the world were coming and they were glad to have it end this way.
It wasnt until this morning that I realized the real magnitude of what had happened, and realized that just hours from where I am, things were much worse and damage much greater. My city is realitively ok, and my building is, too. Everyone I know down here is fine, and I am very thankful for that. I saw on the NY times website that Concepcion is pretty destroied, and that Santiago got kind of shaken up as well. I cant see the sea rising up to my window yet, so hopefully no tsunamis come my way. Really, though. Everything is OK. You all may be better off just appreciating the calm world around you, and talking to loved ones and friends. Turn off the news. Turnon your favorite music and have a dinner party instead. Appreciate and find solid ground in any way you can, and enjoy it. You never know when it will start to trembel and shift. And Thank you, thank you for all of the concerns and good thoughts and wishes. I can feel those no matter how much the world shakes.
Until a calmer next time...
Chau!
Home(!?) ...And the adventure continues...
Hello all,
Eyes wide and tired is how i re-entered Chile after my 2 month summer vacation around Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Wow. what a trip that was. I believe my last blog left a bit of a cliffhanger as to how the hell I was to get back to Chile, so Ill relate a bit on the last few adventures...
I was traveling with this Aussie guy named Alex for the 10 days en camino back to Chile. We passed through some of the places in Colombia that I had been to before, and had some silly times in some of the smaller towns I had been to earlier in the trip. When we crossed into Ecuador, we stopped in this town called Otavalo, which has a famously enourmous market every Saturday. So, we went the next morning and barely scratched the surface of this HUGE outdoor market of crafts, jewelry, food and other little things. I got some presents for my host family, and then we were both a little overwhelmed and decided to go to Quito, where we spent the night. The next day, we planned to go to this town south of Quito called Banos, because I had contacted a guy through Couch durfing who has a farm there. So, Alex, our new friend Joanna (from Atlanta) and I all took the beautiful bus ride there. As it turned out, the farm was in Another town, so we went there instead to look for this farm. As soon as we got off the bus there, we ran into some people coming down from the farm who told us it was about a 3 km. walk up there. So, we made the (longer than expected) hot, trek up there via a dirt road surrounded by tropical landscape. Upon arrival, it was nearly dinnertime, so I jumped into the kitchen to help with the preparation. Since the walk up there was a little long, I was thinking a cold beer would be nice. But, TURNS OUT that this was not just a regular, cool farm-hostel, but rather a Harikrishna religous retreat farm, complete with a temple, sweat lodge and harikrishna devotees who explained their reasons for not eating onions, garlic or mushrooms due to the Passion (yes, Passion) it envokes in the being..... ? But, it was really nice, and everyone was super friendly. Since we were in a rush to get to Peru, we left the next night after one of the ceremonies and hitch hiked to the town where a bus could take us to the border. Luckily, I had talked to my friend Margot the day before who told me her terrible story of almost getting robbed at the Peru Ecuador border (apparently one of the most dangerous down here). So Alex and I were to be super cautious about crossing in daylight, and with luck and awareness.
So, we got to the border on a bus from Ecuador filled with people who all seemed to be family or friends or something, and who seemed really nice. Due to the dangerous warnings of the border crossing, I asked one of them if we could stay with themand cross all together. TURNS OUT, they were a Super friendly band of dancers and musicians, en route to a band competition in Lima, and openly welcomed us to stick with them. So, we piled our stuff into a 20 passenger van, and litterally rode the "band wagon" across the border with them. The guy who I had originally talked to then helped us get another bus to the hot, sandy party haven of Mancora, where Alex and I were to stop for the night. So, we thanked them profusley and were on our way.
Having it be my second time in Mancora, I felt accostomed to the lifestyle of the party beach scene, and was SO glad to be getting out of it! ha, but Alex loved it (aussie...) and stayed, while I left the next day to take an 18 hour bus to Lima, where I would then go immediately to the airport to fly back to Chile. And that is what I did. After the long ride next to a mother and her two kids, I got to Lima, and was taken to the airport by a very friendly cab driver who gave me a Very discounted rate. (the favor is to be returned to a foreigner in my home Country). Then, popped back to Chile and discovered that my host family was in Santiago, and I was not able to stay at the house that night. But, fortunately my friend Rachael from last semester was in town and invited me out, so we went to a Disco, and I crashed on her couch. Then, the next day I called my landlord in Valpo and arranged to move my stuff in that day. With help from my friend Donnie, I finally got my stuff moved in and met my new roomates from Spain, Germany and Austria! And a new semester continues.....
chau chau!
Eyes wide and tired is how i re-entered Chile after my 2 month summer vacation around Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Wow. what a trip that was. I believe my last blog left a bit of a cliffhanger as to how the hell I was to get back to Chile, so Ill relate a bit on the last few adventures...
I was traveling with this Aussie guy named Alex for the 10 days en camino back to Chile. We passed through some of the places in Colombia that I had been to before, and had some silly times in some of the smaller towns I had been to earlier in the trip. When we crossed into Ecuador, we stopped in this town called Otavalo, which has a famously enourmous market every Saturday. So, we went the next morning and barely scratched the surface of this HUGE outdoor market of crafts, jewelry, food and other little things. I got some presents for my host family, and then we were both a little overwhelmed and decided to go to Quito, where we spent the night. The next day, we planned to go to this town south of Quito called Banos, because I had contacted a guy through Couch durfing who has a farm there. So, Alex, our new friend Joanna (from Atlanta) and I all took the beautiful bus ride there. As it turned out, the farm was in Another town, so we went there instead to look for this farm. As soon as we got off the bus there, we ran into some people coming down from the farm who told us it was about a 3 km. walk up there. So, we made the (longer than expected) hot, trek up there via a dirt road surrounded by tropical landscape. Upon arrival, it was nearly dinnertime, so I jumped into the kitchen to help with the preparation. Since the walk up there was a little long, I was thinking a cold beer would be nice. But, TURNS OUT that this was not just a regular, cool farm-hostel, but rather a Harikrishna religous retreat farm, complete with a temple, sweat lodge and harikrishna devotees who explained their reasons for not eating onions, garlic or mushrooms due to the Passion (yes, Passion) it envokes in the being..... ? But, it was really nice, and everyone was super friendly. Since we were in a rush to get to Peru, we left the next night after one of the ceremonies and hitch hiked to the town where a bus could take us to the border. Luckily, I had talked to my friend Margot the day before who told me her terrible story of almost getting robbed at the Peru Ecuador border (apparently one of the most dangerous down here). So Alex and I were to be super cautious about crossing in daylight, and with luck and awareness.
So, we got to the border on a bus from Ecuador filled with people who all seemed to be family or friends or something, and who seemed really nice. Due to the dangerous warnings of the border crossing, I asked one of them if we could stay with themand cross all together. TURNS OUT, they were a Super friendly band of dancers and musicians, en route to a band competition in Lima, and openly welcomed us to stick with them. So, we piled our stuff into a 20 passenger van, and litterally rode the "band wagon" across the border with them. The guy who I had originally talked to then helped us get another bus to the hot, sandy party haven of Mancora, where Alex and I were to stop for the night. So, we thanked them profusley and were on our way.
Having it be my second time in Mancora, I felt accostomed to the lifestyle of the party beach scene, and was SO glad to be getting out of it! ha, but Alex loved it (aussie...) and stayed, while I left the next day to take an 18 hour bus to Lima, where I would then go immediately to the airport to fly back to Chile. And that is what I did. After the long ride next to a mother and her two kids, I got to Lima, and was taken to the airport by a very friendly cab driver who gave me a Very discounted rate. (the favor is to be returned to a foreigner in my home Country). Then, popped back to Chile and discovered that my host family was in Santiago, and I was not able to stay at the house that night. But, fortunately my friend Rachael from last semester was in town and invited me out, so we went to a Disco, and I crashed on her couch. Then, the next day I called my landlord in Valpo and arranged to move my stuff in that day. With help from my friend Donnie, I finally got my stuff moved in and met my new roomates from Spain, Germany and Austria! And a new semester continues.....
chau chau!
lunes, 15 de febrero de 2010
Bogota y 10 días...
Hello all!
Well, writing here after my (longer than "planned") trip to Bogota. So far it has been.... wow, a little crazy, a little world-rocking, and overall a really nice experience. Within the first few days, I was witness to almost robberies in which a friend of mine got grabbed and asked for money (but escaped, and nothing happened...) and another in which a friends backpack got taken away and ran-off-with, but not stolen (because the Police got him). So.... Little crazy, but that was the ONLY time anything like that has ever happened, and I was thankful to have those be the worst things that have happened. Although not pleasent experiences, nothing terrible happened, and I got to take off my "Colombia is so safe, wonderful and beautiful" sunglasses, and face the light of the reality of the days here.
It has been very common to have people say the phrase "Así es Bogotá" in reference to negative things like that happening. But overall, my experience has been very pleasent.
One night, I went out with a girl who works at our hostel (from Bogotá) and a group of her guy friends. We had been hanging out at their University (which, by the way- is one of the most phenominal places I have been... I will definately write about it- later), and hung out and decided on some plans for that night. So, after a bunch of waiting for other friends, and lolly-gagging a little, we bought some food for Haiti, and were granted free enterance to one of the coolest Discos I have ever been to. Casa 33 is located in a bit of an older, darker part of town, and is freequented by a very alternative Bogotá scene. Upon enterance to the club, I saw a video projection with shots of food items and the words "buy" and "consume", and a girl with a very impressive mohawk just Getting Down on the dance floor. The music was this genre called Drum and Bass, which is some of the best I have heard and danced to, yet. So, we all got down for a while, then decided it was time to go home. I was pretty tired after having one out the nights before, so I got accompanied to a taxi and sent back to my hostel.
Then, other than that, things were pretty un-eventful... I met a really wonderful Colombian guy, Diego, who took me out dancing and making cheers to "unforgettable nights". Which was great. (I even got a flower from him on Valentine´s day!). And yesterday was spent sleeping, and getting ice cream with Diego. We also got this traditional Colombian street food snack with marmelade, carmel stuff and cheese(!) in-between this really flat waffel thing. Can´t remember the name, but the flavor was great.
So now, I have 10 days to go from here to Lima, Peru. Dammmmnnnn. Well, I WILL get there, so... we´ll just have to wait and see how :). All part of the adventure, I guess! And, damn. I am just so thankfull for every single day I have here. I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity and to be able to do and see and experience all that I have... wow. And if you´re reading this and are jealous, don´t be. Its not worth your time. The only thing that IS worth your time is YOUR TIME. So enjoy it. We´ll have a lot more stories to swap that way... :)
Sending love love love!
Chau :)
Well, writing here after my (longer than "planned") trip to Bogota. So far it has been.... wow, a little crazy, a little world-rocking, and overall a really nice experience. Within the first few days, I was witness to almost robberies in which a friend of mine got grabbed and asked for money (but escaped, and nothing happened...) and another in which a friends backpack got taken away and ran-off-with, but not stolen (because the Police got him). So.... Little crazy, but that was the ONLY time anything like that has ever happened, and I was thankful to have those be the worst things that have happened. Although not pleasent experiences, nothing terrible happened, and I got to take off my "Colombia is so safe, wonderful and beautiful" sunglasses, and face the light of the reality of the days here.
It has been very common to have people say the phrase "Así es Bogotá" in reference to negative things like that happening. But overall, my experience has been very pleasent.
One night, I went out with a girl who works at our hostel (from Bogotá) and a group of her guy friends. We had been hanging out at their University (which, by the way- is one of the most phenominal places I have been... I will definately write about it- later), and hung out and decided on some plans for that night. So, after a bunch of waiting for other friends, and lolly-gagging a little, we bought some food for Haiti, and were granted free enterance to one of the coolest Discos I have ever been to. Casa 33 is located in a bit of an older, darker part of town, and is freequented by a very alternative Bogotá scene. Upon enterance to the club, I saw a video projection with shots of food items and the words "buy" and "consume", and a girl with a very impressive mohawk just Getting Down on the dance floor. The music was this genre called Drum and Bass, which is some of the best I have heard and danced to, yet. So, we all got down for a while, then decided it was time to go home. I was pretty tired after having one out the nights before, so I got accompanied to a taxi and sent back to my hostel.
Then, other than that, things were pretty un-eventful... I met a really wonderful Colombian guy, Diego, who took me out dancing and making cheers to "unforgettable nights". Which was great. (I even got a flower from him on Valentine´s day!). And yesterday was spent sleeping, and getting ice cream with Diego. We also got this traditional Colombian street food snack with marmelade, carmel stuff and cheese(!) in-between this really flat waffel thing. Can´t remember the name, but the flavor was great.
So now, I have 10 days to go from here to Lima, Peru. Dammmmnnnn. Well, I WILL get there, so... we´ll just have to wait and see how :). All part of the adventure, I guess! And, damn. I am just so thankfull for every single day I have here. I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity and to be able to do and see and experience all that I have... wow. And if you´re reading this and are jealous, don´t be. Its not worth your time. The only thing that IS worth your time is YOUR TIME. So enjoy it. We´ll have a lot more stories to swap that way... :)
Sending love love love!
Chau :)
jueves, 11 de febrero de 2010
People
Helllllo all,
Still on the road, as it were... I am in Bogotá now, after having left the smaill town of San Augustín in search of thermal hot springs, and More. More action, or something. Actually, sometimes I´m not really sure what exactly it is that I am in search for, but somehow, whatever it is, it comes to me. Even if I don´t know or think I want it, things come and maybe just because they do, I need them. Laws of the Universe, right? That which we ask for comes to us- in some form or another...
Well, anyways.....
So I have met some of the most interesting people lately. From Canadian dairy farmers, to French dairy farmers, to LA music producers to wild eccentric Colombians. Each person is a new world. Each person comes from, lives in and will eventually return to another world. We all have our own colors, ideas and ways to shape the world around us. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find people with whom we can co-inhabit our worlds, and creat something. Other times we may just want them to get out. I have had many experiences where I have been approached by people who are really interested in the US, where I am from, and what I think about Colombia or Obama. And sometiems I just do not want to share that part of my world. But, I smile and stay vague,and politely back out of their galaxy so as not to get sucked in.
Its funny how conversations and relationships develop after a few drinks (family: don´t worry- I am NOT drinking to excess! and yes, I am still staying healthy...) But all of a sudden, after a few rounds, we are revealing secrets, and calling people our best friends, or whatever... The "Jesus drunk"- "I love you, man!".. But where does that come from? Do we really speak the truth when we are inebriated, or are we just fucking around because thats how people "act"? And why does it take alcohol to splash down the walls of sand that we build around ourselves? Alcohol is funny. I wish people smoked more pot. But, really, though. How many violent or dramatic or life threatending things can you think of that have resulted directly from marijuana intake? I can think of a few silly food combinations, and "deep" conversations, but not much else... hm.
Last night, I met this guy Dave from Virginia (and yes, Katie I for sure repped you and Roanoake :-)...). We took turns buying eachother beers and other drinks at the bar at our hostel, and then decided to hit the streets and go out for a little. So, we began to walk, and asked some locals where we could drink a good Chicha (a fermented corn wine drink. Better than it sounds?). And so, our homeless friend led us to a nice bar filled with Bogotá University students who heard us speaking English, and were immediately inthralled. Some of them were really anxious about practicint their English, but those who didn´t speak it just conversed with me in Spanish. This one guy was really interested as to why people fromthe US have interest in coming to Colombia, and what it was that I was "searching for" here in Bogotá. So, I rambled a bit about how nice the people are, how beautiful the country is, good food, "economical to live and stay" etc... But, honestly it was a little hard to give a straight answer. A lot of people in the US still think Colombia is really dangerous, and filled with drugs and crime. So why the hell did I want to come here??? no sé. Why the hell do I want to do anything??? Why do we decide to live every day, doing "things", telling "stories" and then doing it all again the next time the sun rises or sets? I Don´t Know. But, it sure can be fun, eh?
So, now that I am solo traveling, I have a lot more..... freedom? Just inthat I can decide on my own whim what to do, and let my own two feet guide me wherever. But, freedom is only one side of that. And even using the word "freedom" sounds like I wasnt free before or something. But, just the will to go somewhere or do something is ALL me. And its... nice. Its a little strange sometimes, though because I don´t ahve another opinion, advice and thoughts. Its all just me. So, thats been a little odd, but an overall pleasant experience. We´re either never alone, or always alone- depending on which way the pendulum swings. So, thats about it. I´ve been having fun, and realizing that I am on Vacation. And thats pretty nice.
Hope you´re all doing well, wherever you may be.
blessings.. Chau!
Still on the road, as it were... I am in Bogotá now, after having left the smaill town of San Augustín in search of thermal hot springs, and More. More action, or something. Actually, sometimes I´m not really sure what exactly it is that I am in search for, but somehow, whatever it is, it comes to me. Even if I don´t know or think I want it, things come and maybe just because they do, I need them. Laws of the Universe, right? That which we ask for comes to us- in some form or another...
Well, anyways.....
So I have met some of the most interesting people lately. From Canadian dairy farmers, to French dairy farmers, to LA music producers to wild eccentric Colombians. Each person is a new world. Each person comes from, lives in and will eventually return to another world. We all have our own colors, ideas and ways to shape the world around us. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find people with whom we can co-inhabit our worlds, and creat something. Other times we may just want them to get out. I have had many experiences where I have been approached by people who are really interested in the US, where I am from, and what I think about Colombia or Obama. And sometiems I just do not want to share that part of my world. But, I smile and stay vague,and politely back out of their galaxy so as not to get sucked in.
Its funny how conversations and relationships develop after a few drinks (family: don´t worry- I am NOT drinking to excess! and yes, I am still staying healthy...) But all of a sudden, after a few rounds, we are revealing secrets, and calling people our best friends, or whatever... The "Jesus drunk"- "I love you, man!".. But where does that come from? Do we really speak the truth when we are inebriated, or are we just fucking around because thats how people "act"? And why does it take alcohol to splash down the walls of sand that we build around ourselves? Alcohol is funny. I wish people smoked more pot. But, really, though. How many violent or dramatic or life threatending things can you think of that have resulted directly from marijuana intake? I can think of a few silly food combinations, and "deep" conversations, but not much else... hm.
Last night, I met this guy Dave from Virginia (and yes, Katie I for sure repped you and Roanoake :-)...). We took turns buying eachother beers and other drinks at the bar at our hostel, and then decided to hit the streets and go out for a little. So, we began to walk, and asked some locals where we could drink a good Chicha (a fermented corn wine drink. Better than it sounds?). And so, our homeless friend led us to a nice bar filled with Bogotá University students who heard us speaking English, and were immediately inthralled. Some of them were really anxious about practicint their English, but those who didn´t speak it just conversed with me in Spanish. This one guy was really interested as to why people fromthe US have interest in coming to Colombia, and what it was that I was "searching for" here in Bogotá. So, I rambled a bit about how nice the people are, how beautiful the country is, good food, "economical to live and stay" etc... But, honestly it was a little hard to give a straight answer. A lot of people in the US still think Colombia is really dangerous, and filled with drugs and crime. So why the hell did I want to come here??? no sé. Why the hell do I want to do anything??? Why do we decide to live every day, doing "things", telling "stories" and then doing it all again the next time the sun rises or sets? I Don´t Know. But, it sure can be fun, eh?
So, now that I am solo traveling, I have a lot more..... freedom? Just inthat I can decide on my own whim what to do, and let my own two feet guide me wherever. But, freedom is only one side of that. And even using the word "freedom" sounds like I wasnt free before or something. But, just the will to go somewhere or do something is ALL me. And its... nice. Its a little strange sometimes, though because I don´t ahve another opinion, advice and thoughts. Its all just me. So, thats been a little odd, but an overall pleasant experience. We´re either never alone, or always alone- depending on which way the pendulum swings. So, thats about it. I´ve been having fun, and realizing that I am on Vacation. And thats pretty nice.
Hope you´re all doing well, wherever you may be.
blessings.. Chau!
jueves, 4 de febrero de 2010
Communication is......
Hola todas, Bonjour toute le monde, oi todo o mundo, hello all!
All of the French people I have met so far are either very sexy, very nice, or both. Usually both. They´ve all had this Supercool air about them that says, "Yez, I a Freench.... Vaat???" My new friend on my WWOOF farm, is a bit of an annomoly in my perception of Ze French Peple. Jean (not like JEan, rather John, but with a French axónt) is a little more ansy than the other French people I have encountered, but equally nice- and the sexy part, well..... Anyway.... But hes really interesting, and the past few days we have gotten to share many words (in Spanish, as thats the language wo both share) about many different aspects of
traveling and just life in general. He has taught me a lot about communication. His Spanish is pretty sub-par, and he says his English is worse. Nontheless, we are able to communicate on a very interesting level. ha, some of our conversations consist of no more than "it is like the... the, this thing (point to the object) but a little more big, and like this (make some gesture)... You know it??" -"um, yes, it is like one of the (those things), but a little more like this (another gesture)" -"!Yes, yes, like that, yes." hmmmmm :/. But, somehow it works, and somehow we are able to "communicate". It has been something I have been a lot more aware of ever since I came down to Chile and have continued to travel. Especially in my study abroad program, from a distance of watching a conversation you can tell what language they are speaking. English involves little corporal movement, really relaxed body language and not a lot of eye contact. Then, a native Spanish speaker comes in and all of the gringos (or non-native Spanish speakers) are suddenly super aware, using lots of gestures, making very intense eye contact, and are generally more engaged in the conversation as a whole. Probably because we are/were mostly trying to understand what the hell is going on... BUT, funny how a language change means an interest and body-language change as well. I keep thinking how funny and blissful it will be to go back to the US and just be able to automaticly communicate with only words. How rich! But also, my goal for the end of my time down here is to be able to do that with Spanish as well. And it is only getting closer! Every day is a bit different, and of course there are loads of words I STILL don´t know, but I can Understand and BE understood. And that rules.
In other news....
I am nearly finishing up my time on this one Farm, Sol Naciente, and getting ready to move on to another. The experience has been interesting. The owner, Clemencia, has been in Bogotá looking for more land to buy, and I have only communicated with her through e-mail and once on the phone. The lady who IS at the house is named Flor, and is very nice. Clemencia sounds like a Perra, though. And it has caused a little tension that is now resolved. The work that Jean and I were doing was not at all what we had expected. We were neither working with the land, nor even learning HOW to work with it (which is the goal of WWOOF). We were cleaning the property so Clemencia could sell it. Which is fine, whatever, but not the Volunteer work that we would like to be doing. So, Jean (bless him) in his somewhat broken Spanish, told Clemencia that we would like to be doing other things instead. She did not budge and told Jean that we must do as she says for 5 hours every day, and will not accept anything else. Jon was pretty upset and enraged, and I was talking to Flor about the whole thing. Flor is unfortunately under Clemencia´s reign, and works about 14 hours non-stop every day to make sure Clemencia is happy. Poor Flor. And, Flor understands Jean and my position, and has permitted us to do more of our own projects, as she does not have the time/skill to teach us about the things we want to know about. So, I am currently painting the sign outside, and doing other projects to help Flor. Clemencia thinks Jean and I have left, because we would not do the work that deserves pay.
SO.... A little complicated, but we are now doing things we want to do, and I am hanging around for another day(s?) while I wait for the other farm to come through. But, wow. What a time it has been. San Augustin continues to impress me with its beauty, and I am meeting more and more people from ALL over with every day that passes. I CANNOT believe that I am going to go, not back to CO, but back to Valparaíso, Chile and live there for another few months. WOW. What a blessed life I live. Also, I want everyone to know that whenever asked about where I am from, I say the most Wonderful things about Colorado. I tell everyone about how beautiful it is, and how much I love it (and that they should visit!). So, LOVE WHERE YOU ARE. Even if you´re not lucky enough to be in Colorado (joke), Love your place. Cherish it. Make it the best place to be, and enjoy the hell out of it. Because if you´re not there, where are you?? If you´re not in THE best place, then Where the hell are you???????
Well, enough. Time to enjoy the great outdoors some more, and even do a little souvineer shopping! Cheers to all.
Smiles.
Chau, Au revoir, bye, bom tchau!
All of the French people I have met so far are either very sexy, very nice, or both. Usually both. They´ve all had this Supercool air about them that says, "Yez, I a Freench.... Vaat???" My new friend on my WWOOF farm, is a bit of an annomoly in my perception of Ze French Peple. Jean (not like JEan, rather John, but with a French axónt) is a little more ansy than the other French people I have encountered, but equally nice- and the sexy part, well..... Anyway.... But hes really interesting, and the past few days we have gotten to share many words (in Spanish, as thats the language wo both share) about many different aspects of
traveling and just life in general. He has taught me a lot about communication. His Spanish is pretty sub-par, and he says his English is worse. Nontheless, we are able to communicate on a very interesting level. ha, some of our conversations consist of no more than "it is like the... the, this thing (point to the object) but a little more big, and like this (make some gesture)... You know it??" -"um, yes, it is like one of the (those things), but a little more like this (another gesture)" -"!Yes, yes, like that, yes." hmmmmm :/. But, somehow it works, and somehow we are able to "communicate". It has been something I have been a lot more aware of ever since I came down to Chile and have continued to travel. Especially in my study abroad program, from a distance of watching a conversation you can tell what language they are speaking. English involves little corporal movement, really relaxed body language and not a lot of eye contact. Then, a native Spanish speaker comes in and all of the gringos (or non-native Spanish speakers) are suddenly super aware, using lots of gestures, making very intense eye contact, and are generally more engaged in the conversation as a whole. Probably because we are/were mostly trying to understand what the hell is going on... BUT, funny how a language change means an interest and body-language change as well. I keep thinking how funny and blissful it will be to go back to the US and just be able to automaticly communicate with only words. How rich! But also, my goal for the end of my time down here is to be able to do that with Spanish as well. And it is only getting closer! Every day is a bit different, and of course there are loads of words I STILL don´t know, but I can Understand and BE understood. And that rules.
In other news....
I am nearly finishing up my time on this one Farm, Sol Naciente, and getting ready to move on to another. The experience has been interesting. The owner, Clemencia, has been in Bogotá looking for more land to buy, and I have only communicated with her through e-mail and once on the phone. The lady who IS at the house is named Flor, and is very nice. Clemencia sounds like a Perra, though. And it has caused a little tension that is now resolved. The work that Jean and I were doing was not at all what we had expected. We were neither working with the land, nor even learning HOW to work with it (which is the goal of WWOOF). We were cleaning the property so Clemencia could sell it. Which is fine, whatever, but not the Volunteer work that we would like to be doing. So, Jean (bless him) in his somewhat broken Spanish, told Clemencia that we would like to be doing other things instead. She did not budge and told Jean that we must do as she says for 5 hours every day, and will not accept anything else. Jon was pretty upset and enraged, and I was talking to Flor about the whole thing. Flor is unfortunately under Clemencia´s reign, and works about 14 hours non-stop every day to make sure Clemencia is happy. Poor Flor. And, Flor understands Jean and my position, and has permitted us to do more of our own projects, as she does not have the time/skill to teach us about the things we want to know about. So, I am currently painting the sign outside, and doing other projects to help Flor. Clemencia thinks Jean and I have left, because we would not do the work that deserves pay.
SO.... A little complicated, but we are now doing things we want to do, and I am hanging around for another day(s?) while I wait for the other farm to come through. But, wow. What a time it has been. San Augustin continues to impress me with its beauty, and I am meeting more and more people from ALL over with every day that passes. I CANNOT believe that I am going to go, not back to CO, but back to Valparaíso, Chile and live there for another few months. WOW. What a blessed life I live. Also, I want everyone to know that whenever asked about where I am from, I say the most Wonderful things about Colorado. I tell everyone about how beautiful it is, and how much I love it (and that they should visit!). So, LOVE WHERE YOU ARE. Even if you´re not lucky enough to be in Colorado (joke), Love your place. Cherish it. Make it the best place to be, and enjoy the hell out of it. Because if you´re not there, where are you?? If you´re not in THE best place, then Where the hell are you???????
Well, enough. Time to enjoy the great outdoors some more, and even do a little souvineer shopping! Cheers to all.
Smiles.
Chau, Au revoir, bye, bom tchau!
sábado, 30 de enero de 2010
Life on the farm and other things....
Hello all!
So, back in September I applied for a membership with WWOOF Independents. And now, in January here I am working on a farm in the South West corner of Colombia. I am in this really beautiful place called San Augustín, and have been here for a few days now. I was staying at this really awesome hostel on top of one of the hills here, called Casa de Francois, owned by this great French guy. There, I ran into some Canadian friends we had met in Cali, and had a pretty relaxing time. One day I rode horses with a group of Swiss people to visit some archeological sights around the area, and another day I got a little lost and found on this hike down to an amazing waterfall. And NOW, I am two days into my volunteer work on this Refugio Ecologico del Sol Naciente.
Yesterday I started working on general maintenance things with clearing weeds and such, and continued the same today. I met a new friend, too. He came by to say hello to Flor, the owner (who is super nice)and he ended up staying to work and chat. Throughout the day, we worked and took leisurly breaks to share some organic Colombian product, and look out over the vista of the canyon created by the río Magdelena. So beautiful...
I was working again, and went to pick up this pile of sticks, branches and tropical (but dead) leaves, and- OH! There were these big RED Ants crawling all over them, and me! AH¡! so, I promptly dropped the pile, and continued working in another place. At the hostel/farm where I am now staying were two Spanish people, and the guy made me a bracelet out of Blue, Red and Yellow thread (the colors of the Colombian flag) which I love. The lady Flor, who owns the place has two daughters who are really nice. One is probably 12 or so, and is really cute, and the other is 2 and, although loud, cute as well. I have managed to pick up some good books, and have been reading a lot more in Spanish. Around the dinner table last night I realized that I was the only person there who spoke English. And in my travels, that is the first time that has happened. There isnt anyone near me who speaks my native language. Its kind of cool, and kind of isolating. I cant just get online, or start a conversation with someone else in the language I know better. But, all is good. Its more like survival now. I kind of Have to understand everything, and be understood. Especially when Flor is telling me how and what to do for work.
Damn, I always feel like I have so much to say here, but then sometimes when I start writing I feel like I loose the good stuff in mundane words.... o well, así es la vida, no???
But really, life is pretty dan good. Sometimes, I´ll be spacing out in my thoughts, and then I´ll snap back into this life and be like ¨Holy shit, I am IN COLOMBIA! wow, life rules...¨and thats it, back to my thought world...
So, I think about all of my friends, and family. Especially when asked about them all the time! The Colombians love to know about your family, friends and past lovers. Its.... great... On the bus ride over here, I got asked if I had a husband like 5 times. And If I said yes (which I eventually did), the next question was, Why isnt he Colombian? Is he here? Why isnt it me? ha, so, thats nice.... :/
I guess a French guy is coming today to help out on the farm, so we´ll see how that goes! I´ll try to stay updated and keep thinking of more good thoughts.
Thinking of ALL of you! Much love...
Celine
chau chau
So, back in September I applied for a membership with WWOOF Independents. And now, in January here I am working on a farm in the South West corner of Colombia. I am in this really beautiful place called San Augustín, and have been here for a few days now. I was staying at this really awesome hostel on top of one of the hills here, called Casa de Francois, owned by this great French guy. There, I ran into some Canadian friends we had met in Cali, and had a pretty relaxing time. One day I rode horses with a group of Swiss people to visit some archeological sights around the area, and another day I got a little lost and found on this hike down to an amazing waterfall. And NOW, I am two days into my volunteer work on this Refugio Ecologico del Sol Naciente.
Yesterday I started working on general maintenance things with clearing weeds and such, and continued the same today. I met a new friend, too. He came by to say hello to Flor, the owner (who is super nice)and he ended up staying to work and chat. Throughout the day, we worked and took leisurly breaks to share some organic Colombian product, and look out over the vista of the canyon created by the río Magdelena. So beautiful...
I was working again, and went to pick up this pile of sticks, branches and tropical (but dead) leaves, and- OH! There were these big RED Ants crawling all over them, and me! AH¡! so, I promptly dropped the pile, and continued working in another place. At the hostel/farm where I am now staying were two Spanish people, and the guy made me a bracelet out of Blue, Red and Yellow thread (the colors of the Colombian flag) which I love. The lady Flor, who owns the place has two daughters who are really nice. One is probably 12 or so, and is really cute, and the other is 2 and, although loud, cute as well. I have managed to pick up some good books, and have been reading a lot more in Spanish. Around the dinner table last night I realized that I was the only person there who spoke English. And in my travels, that is the first time that has happened. There isnt anyone near me who speaks my native language. Its kind of cool, and kind of isolating. I cant just get online, or start a conversation with someone else in the language I know better. But, all is good. Its more like survival now. I kind of Have to understand everything, and be understood. Especially when Flor is telling me how and what to do for work.
Damn, I always feel like I have so much to say here, but then sometimes when I start writing I feel like I loose the good stuff in mundane words.... o well, así es la vida, no???
But really, life is pretty dan good. Sometimes, I´ll be spacing out in my thoughts, and then I´ll snap back into this life and be like ¨Holy shit, I am IN COLOMBIA! wow, life rules...¨and thats it, back to my thought world...
So, I think about all of my friends, and family. Especially when asked about them all the time! The Colombians love to know about your family, friends and past lovers. Its.... great... On the bus ride over here, I got asked if I had a husband like 5 times. And If I said yes (which I eventually did), the next question was, Why isnt he Colombian? Is he here? Why isnt it me? ha, so, thats nice.... :/
I guess a French guy is coming today to help out on the farm, so we´ll see how that goes! I´ll try to stay updated and keep thinking of more good thoughts.
Thinking of ALL of you! Much love...
Celine
chau chau
lunes, 25 de enero de 2010
Más....
Hello All
Havent written in a little bit, so I thought I would... Still in Colombia, and still love it. From Cali, Margot and I went to this small town in the middle of these beautiful, rooling hills. We spent a few days there, ands stayed at this really cool Hostel called Republica de Artistas, and had delicious coffee, and a wonderful breakfast made by Joseph, the Spanish guy who owned the hostel. He and his son, Michiael moved from Spain to this town Salento a few months ago and opened this hostel, and it seems to be going well for them. Almost immediately upon arrival, we were introduced to about half the town, and had many new friends. Some of the guys down here are a little sleazy, and are only interested in one thing (and I am sure you can use your imagination to guess what...). But, some of them are really genuine, and actually interested in what you have to say. However, sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two, as nearly every guy/man/boy down here will openly tell you how beautiful, precious, lovely, pretty you are. It is really rare to walk by any member of the opposite sex and not be complimented or whisteled at or kissed at... I did an experiment today, and yes, 100% of the men I waled by made a comment. And you know what? I kind of like it. Its not like they are making any sort of offensive gestures or sexual passes, so its really ok with me if they tell me I am beautiful. Thank you.
In Salento, i met a guy who was IN LOVE with my hair, and complimented it every time I went to touch it. The guys down here in general are just so unafraid to tell you that they are attracted to you, and I think it saves a lot of time, because you know right away what their intentions are.
Margot and I talked, though about laughter the other day and how sometimes it can cover up or mask truer feelings or intentions. And how sometimes people laugh to hide their insecurities, etc.. I then went on to express that sometimes I have a guard that I put up and where I dont always laugh because it shows vulnerability and sometimes unwanted attention. Especially down here, I have been really careful to not let my guard down unless I am 100% sure that the people and situation are good. If people think Im cold because I dont laugh, so be it, but if they think Im easy because I laugh at everything they say, then it gets complicated... So, still keeping that guard up, and trying to not be an Easy American Girl. And it has worked, too. Although a little sleazy, most of the guys understand "no". Which is nice. Plus, a lot of people think Im Latin, which is even better! So, things are going well, and Im just still waiting to hear from the guy on the farm, as well as figure out what I want to do... And all that jazz.
Until next time.
Chau Chau
Havent written in a little bit, so I thought I would... Still in Colombia, and still love it. From Cali, Margot and I went to this small town in the middle of these beautiful, rooling hills. We spent a few days there, ands stayed at this really cool Hostel called Republica de Artistas, and had delicious coffee, and a wonderful breakfast made by Joseph, the Spanish guy who owned the hostel. He and his son, Michiael moved from Spain to this town Salento a few months ago and opened this hostel, and it seems to be going well for them. Almost immediately upon arrival, we were introduced to about half the town, and had many new friends. Some of the guys down here are a little sleazy, and are only interested in one thing (and I am sure you can use your imagination to guess what...). But, some of them are really genuine, and actually interested in what you have to say. However, sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two, as nearly every guy/man/boy down here will openly tell you how beautiful, precious, lovely, pretty you are. It is really rare to walk by any member of the opposite sex and not be complimented or whisteled at or kissed at... I did an experiment today, and yes, 100% of the men I waled by made a comment. And you know what? I kind of like it. Its not like they are making any sort of offensive gestures or sexual passes, so its really ok with me if they tell me I am beautiful. Thank you.
In Salento, i met a guy who was IN LOVE with my hair, and complimented it every time I went to touch it. The guys down here in general are just so unafraid to tell you that they are attracted to you, and I think it saves a lot of time, because you know right away what their intentions are.
Margot and I talked, though about laughter the other day and how sometimes it can cover up or mask truer feelings or intentions. And how sometimes people laugh to hide their insecurities, etc.. I then went on to express that sometimes I have a guard that I put up and where I dont always laugh because it shows vulnerability and sometimes unwanted attention. Especially down here, I have been really careful to not let my guard down unless I am 100% sure that the people and situation are good. If people think Im cold because I dont laugh, so be it, but if they think Im easy because I laugh at everything they say, then it gets complicated... So, still keeping that guard up, and trying to not be an Easy American Girl. And it has worked, too. Although a little sleazy, most of the guys understand "no". Which is nice. Plus, a lot of people think Im Latin, which is even better! So, things are going well, and Im just still waiting to hear from the guy on the farm, as well as figure out what I want to do... And all that jazz.
Until next time.
Chau Chau
martes, 19 de enero de 2010
Avatar//Colombia//Beauty//Jungle//
Hello all,
Still in Colombia, and I think I am falling in love. Yesterday Margot and I went with our two new Canadian friends, Andrew and David to this place called San Cipriano in the Jungle, which is surprisingly close to the city we are in now called Cali. The ride there was, again, beautiful. Green, swooping hills and air that smelled like forest and cooked meats on the side of the road. We stopped on our way there and ate fresh pineapple, and sweated. It is so humid and hot up there! Then, we got dropped off on the side of the road that marked this town and walked down to the train tracks that took us into the actual town itself (about 12 km furthur down). Now, when I mention train tracks, it doesnt imply that we took a train. Rather, we took a motorcyclle that had been hitched to a wooden frame and rollers with a bench on top. ha, it was pretty wild... Then we got there and ate a delicious lunch of soup, rice, chicken and veggies and then went for a swim in the clearest, most beautiful river I have seen in quite a while. The water was cool, and perfectly refreshing. We were in the midst of this thick, buzzing jungle, and it was just so so cool. We went swim-exploring for a bit, and jumpped off the side of the bank, enjoyed the rain that fell, and eventually went back to our hostel. That night, we played cards and drank some beers with another travel friend from Austrailia who is now taking about 8 months to ride his bike through South America. He has been traveling extensively throughout the world for the past 8 years, and we were able to hear his many, numerous stories; as well as talk about subjects such as money, education, culture and the world in general. It was great.
Then today we just floated down the river some more, most of which I was alone for, because I had gone up to explore a waterfall without the group. I got there, and it was all of 3 feet tall, but it cascaded into a really nice pool, which I gladly dipped into. I found this crazy stuff on one of the trees that looked like black tar almost and it made me very curious... Anyway, the rest of the day was spent lounging in my tube in the river, until I came upon the beach we had been at the day before. I had hardly recognized it, as there were So many people there! it was so beautiful to see all of their black bodies paired with the green landscape, and dark waters. They were all so friendly, and I was immediately holding hands with a guy who was "teaching me how to swim" which was nice, because I had given my tube to a little girl who asked to borrow it, and then who helped carry it back to our hostel. Then after our day, we had another wonderful, filling lunch and scored a ride back with Colombians to Cali. They were all so nice, and even bought us hot choclate... with cheese! Yes, cheese Inside the Hot chocolate. A little strange, but surprisingly good. We may be going out with them tonight, actually...
So the Colombians are just beautiful people. I have seen so many different kinds, too. Everything from white, blue-eyed Colombians to black black ones that are just beautiful... Many of them are bigger in size, which, instead of distracts from the beauty (like I think it sometimes may be percieved as in the US), it rather adds to it. Like the more fat, the more beautiful. I was even thinking if my body was capable of it. But its not, really. My particular body was not made to be fat. Although it would be nice sometimes, to just be FAT, round, BIG... But its not for me. And that is just fine :). But it has also given me such a different perspective on what beauty REALLY is, and how it has nothing to do wtih size at all. The Colombians are not beautiful because they are fat, or black, or thin, or have fake boobs (which are SO common here in Cali) but they are beautiful because they love life. They LOVE having a good time, dancing, and sharing everything. Including, apparently, big meals :). So, there we are...
Also, Margot and I saw Avatar in 3-D the other day and it blew our minds. If you havent seen it, you should. It rules.
So, thats all. The jungle was great, and Colombia Still rules. Best wishes up there..
Also, I got a tattoo in Quito, and think I may have forgotten to mention it... Pictures are on Facebook.
Chau Chau
Still in Colombia, and I think I am falling in love. Yesterday Margot and I went with our two new Canadian friends, Andrew and David to this place called San Cipriano in the Jungle, which is surprisingly close to the city we are in now called Cali. The ride there was, again, beautiful. Green, swooping hills and air that smelled like forest and cooked meats on the side of the road. We stopped on our way there and ate fresh pineapple, and sweated. It is so humid and hot up there! Then, we got dropped off on the side of the road that marked this town and walked down to the train tracks that took us into the actual town itself (about 12 km furthur down). Now, when I mention train tracks, it doesnt imply that we took a train. Rather, we took a motorcyclle that had been hitched to a wooden frame and rollers with a bench on top. ha, it was pretty wild... Then we got there and ate a delicious lunch of soup, rice, chicken and veggies and then went for a swim in the clearest, most beautiful river I have seen in quite a while. The water was cool, and perfectly refreshing. We were in the midst of this thick, buzzing jungle, and it was just so so cool. We went swim-exploring for a bit, and jumpped off the side of the bank, enjoyed the rain that fell, and eventually went back to our hostel. That night, we played cards and drank some beers with another travel friend from Austrailia who is now taking about 8 months to ride his bike through South America. He has been traveling extensively throughout the world for the past 8 years, and we were able to hear his many, numerous stories; as well as talk about subjects such as money, education, culture and the world in general. It was great.
Then today we just floated down the river some more, most of which I was alone for, because I had gone up to explore a waterfall without the group. I got there, and it was all of 3 feet tall, but it cascaded into a really nice pool, which I gladly dipped into. I found this crazy stuff on one of the trees that looked like black tar almost and it made me very curious... Anyway, the rest of the day was spent lounging in my tube in the river, until I came upon the beach we had been at the day before. I had hardly recognized it, as there were So many people there! it was so beautiful to see all of their black bodies paired with the green landscape, and dark waters. They were all so friendly, and I was immediately holding hands with a guy who was "teaching me how to swim" which was nice, because I had given my tube to a little girl who asked to borrow it, and then who helped carry it back to our hostel. Then after our day, we had another wonderful, filling lunch and scored a ride back with Colombians to Cali. They were all so nice, and even bought us hot choclate... with cheese! Yes, cheese Inside the Hot chocolate. A little strange, but surprisingly good. We may be going out with them tonight, actually...
So the Colombians are just beautiful people. I have seen so many different kinds, too. Everything from white, blue-eyed Colombians to black black ones that are just beautiful... Many of them are bigger in size, which, instead of distracts from the beauty (like I think it sometimes may be percieved as in the US), it rather adds to it. Like the more fat, the more beautiful. I was even thinking if my body was capable of it. But its not, really. My particular body was not made to be fat. Although it would be nice sometimes, to just be FAT, round, BIG... But its not for me. And that is just fine :). But it has also given me such a different perspective on what beauty REALLY is, and how it has nothing to do wtih size at all. The Colombians are not beautiful because they are fat, or black, or thin, or have fake boobs (which are SO common here in Cali) but they are beautiful because they love life. They LOVE having a good time, dancing, and sharing everything. Including, apparently, big meals :). So, there we are...
Also, Margot and I saw Avatar in 3-D the other day and it blew our minds. If you havent seen it, you should. It rules.
So, thats all. The jungle was great, and Colombia Still rules. Best wishes up there..
Also, I got a tattoo in Quito, and think I may have forgotten to mention it... Pictures are on Facebook.
Chau Chau
sábado, 16 de enero de 2010
Colombia.....
Hello All
Wow, In Colombia now! Colombia is so beautiful! We were greeted by stunningly beautiful landscapes of swooping, jagged green hills that dive into canyons and valleys. Along with this, we were also greeted by the warm, super friendly Colombian people. We shared a cab with a Colombian couple across the border who helped us out a lot with exchanging our money, and telling us about cool places to go in their country. Then we arrived in the town of Pasto, and stayed with a friend we had met in line at the border. With him, we met up with his friend and went to what was one of the most unique bars I have ever been. It was filled with tiny booths, and the walls were covered in everything from old money, to keys and locks, as well as an impressive two walls covered with old vinyl records. There, we ordered what I thought was a drink with Brandy, but what really turned out to be a Bottle of Brandy. Damn. But, not to worry, we hardly made a dent in it, and opted for beer insead... Then the nex day, I got a pretty bad headache, and was surprisingly well taken care of by people who started off as just strangers, and who ended up being friends. I basically slept on their couch as they made a big, delishous lunch that we all ate together. It was really good, and made me feel much better. Then, last night we arrived in Cali which is supposidly the Salsa capital of the world! and I can believe it, too! Damn, these people can dance! I have never seen people move their feet and hips in such rapid, precise movement. wow, it was cool. Today we started off a little slow, but may go to the zoo or an art museum. Speaking of museums! Margot and I went to this museum in Quito that blew me away. it was the Capilla del Hombre or, Chapel of man, by Oswaldo Gyayasamin. He painted these paintings that were so profoundly beautiful and disturbing that it gave me chills. His paintings dealt with themes of war, starvation, opression.... really heavy, but so beautiful. Well, I am sure I have a lot more, but thats kind of it for now... So far, Colombia has treated us really nicely, and we are just having a lovely time. Hope youre all warm up there!
chau
Wow, In Colombia now! Colombia is so beautiful! We were greeted by stunningly beautiful landscapes of swooping, jagged green hills that dive into canyons and valleys. Along with this, we were also greeted by the warm, super friendly Colombian people. We shared a cab with a Colombian couple across the border who helped us out a lot with exchanging our money, and telling us about cool places to go in their country. Then we arrived in the town of Pasto, and stayed with a friend we had met in line at the border. With him, we met up with his friend and went to what was one of the most unique bars I have ever been. It was filled with tiny booths, and the walls were covered in everything from old money, to keys and locks, as well as an impressive two walls covered with old vinyl records. There, we ordered what I thought was a drink with Brandy, but what really turned out to be a Bottle of Brandy. Damn. But, not to worry, we hardly made a dent in it, and opted for beer insead... Then the nex day, I got a pretty bad headache, and was surprisingly well taken care of by people who started off as just strangers, and who ended up being friends. I basically slept on their couch as they made a big, delishous lunch that we all ate together. It was really good, and made me feel much better. Then, last night we arrived in Cali which is supposidly the Salsa capital of the world! and I can believe it, too! Damn, these people can dance! I have never seen people move their feet and hips in such rapid, precise movement. wow, it was cool. Today we started off a little slow, but may go to the zoo or an art museum. Speaking of museums! Margot and I went to this museum in Quito that blew me away. it was the Capilla del Hombre or, Chapel of man, by Oswaldo Gyayasamin. He painted these paintings that were so profoundly beautiful and disturbing that it gave me chills. His paintings dealt with themes of war, starvation, opression.... really heavy, but so beautiful. Well, I am sure I have a lot more, but thats kind of it for now... So far, Colombia has treated us really nicely, and we are just having a lovely time. Hope youre all warm up there!
chau
martes, 12 de enero de 2010
Tai Chi and Traveling
Hello all
Writing from Quito. It is our third day here, and so far it has been really nice. We got in at about 3AM the first night and found a hostel, but then switched to the hostel that Margot´s friend is staying in called the Secret Garden. It is really nice, and has paintings and mosaics everywhere, as well as an awesome view of Quito. We have spent the last few days going to the top of Curch towers, exploring the city and finding really awesome, cheap markets to spend way too much time and money in :). We have met people from ALL over the world, and it has been fun to hear of everyone´s travels.
Thats a thing I´ve noticed here. "how long have you been traveling?" is one of the most common questions I/we get asked. It seems as if its this Thing, this lifestyle or club you join so you can talk to other "travelers" about where you have been and what you have seen, etc... And I get it, I mean I have LOVED traveling so far and will deffinately do more as time goes on, but- arent we always traveling? It seems that its almost not enough to just stay put, but to be constantly on the go. Around the world! To see everything and everyone possible. And why? Why do we travel? For the stories or pictures or experiences? What GOOD are we doing by simply seeing how other people live their lives, eating their food, buying their things, and then talking to other people who are doing the same thing? And why do we care, anyway?
This one guy said yesterday that he thought South America had more "Soul" than Central America. Margot, who has traveled extensively in both places, basically bit her tounge trying not to rebuttle. I found this whole thing interesting also because the guy who made that claim doesn´t even speak Spanish. And I thought about this for a while. Because you can get along just fine in a country whose language you don´t speak/understand, but to judge a country on their lack of Culture when you don´t even understand all of it??? When you don´t Understand the radio, the songs, newspapers, conversations, sitcoms and talk shows, how can you judge a culture? And why even bother in the first place in going there knowing you don´t understand? Is it to gain understanding? Maybe, he was taking intensive Spanish lessons...
Anyway, on another note... For months I had planned on going into the Cloud Forest of Ecuador with this organization. It was the cheapest thing I saw (at only $65 for a week of food and lodging) and seemed good. So, we went to the meeting at 10:30 yesterday (well, 11 because of our Cab driver...) and were under the impression that we would meet and go to the forest and start work. BUT, we went and were told that the bus didn´t leave until 5:30 PM. huh, ok so we´ll...do something until then. Also, we didn´t have rubber boots. Well, we will just work in what we have and tough it out. Then, the total cost came to $268. but, 65 plus 65=....? yea, $265-each. What!? I guess there is aa $200 "processing charge" or something that was not at all clerly defined on the website. and since that is way out of our price range to just spend on ONE thing, we declined and walked back to our hostel. So damn, no cloud forest for me... But more time in Colombia instead. !!!!!
But, everything happens for a reason, right? Back at out hostel we met a LOT more people, and this morning I did Tai Chi with an older man who was sharing our same dorm. It was really nice, and he said some really neat things. We got to talking about Tai Chi and dance, and he described it as being soft on the outside, and hard or firm on the inside. Also, after our lesson (7 AM) I sat down to eat breakfast, but he waited for a few hours to Clean his stomach out. He described the stomach as the most powerful organ we have, the one that controls all. And that, once you have control over it, you can be free. Or something like that... :) But still, I like the sentiment. Especially as I am about to make my way into Colombia and work on this farm. I think that will be a very good process for me. I´ll let you know how that all goes, obvio... Thats about it for now- I may actually pay a visit to your hemisphere today as the equator is very close! So, I´ll be close... Stay well and be well.
Chau Chau
Writing from Quito. It is our third day here, and so far it has been really nice. We got in at about 3AM the first night and found a hostel, but then switched to the hostel that Margot´s friend is staying in called the Secret Garden. It is really nice, and has paintings and mosaics everywhere, as well as an awesome view of Quito. We have spent the last few days going to the top of Curch towers, exploring the city and finding really awesome, cheap markets to spend way too much time and money in :). We have met people from ALL over the world, and it has been fun to hear of everyone´s travels.
Thats a thing I´ve noticed here. "how long have you been traveling?" is one of the most common questions I/we get asked. It seems as if its this Thing, this lifestyle or club you join so you can talk to other "travelers" about where you have been and what you have seen, etc... And I get it, I mean I have LOVED traveling so far and will deffinately do more as time goes on, but- arent we always traveling? It seems that its almost not enough to just stay put, but to be constantly on the go. Around the world! To see everything and everyone possible. And why? Why do we travel? For the stories or pictures or experiences? What GOOD are we doing by simply seeing how other people live their lives, eating their food, buying their things, and then talking to other people who are doing the same thing? And why do we care, anyway?
This one guy said yesterday that he thought South America had more "Soul" than Central America. Margot, who has traveled extensively in both places, basically bit her tounge trying not to rebuttle. I found this whole thing interesting also because the guy who made that claim doesn´t even speak Spanish. And I thought about this for a while. Because you can get along just fine in a country whose language you don´t speak/understand, but to judge a country on their lack of Culture when you don´t even understand all of it??? When you don´t Understand the radio, the songs, newspapers, conversations, sitcoms and talk shows, how can you judge a culture? And why even bother in the first place in going there knowing you don´t understand? Is it to gain understanding? Maybe, he was taking intensive Spanish lessons...
Anyway, on another note... For months I had planned on going into the Cloud Forest of Ecuador with this organization. It was the cheapest thing I saw (at only $65 for a week of food and lodging) and seemed good. So, we went to the meeting at 10:30 yesterday (well, 11 because of our Cab driver...) and were under the impression that we would meet and go to the forest and start work. BUT, we went and were told that the bus didn´t leave until 5:30 PM. huh, ok so we´ll...do something until then. Also, we didn´t have rubber boots. Well, we will just work in what we have and tough it out. Then, the total cost came to $268. but, 65 plus 65=....? yea, $265-each. What!? I guess there is aa $200 "processing charge" or something that was not at all clerly defined on the website. and since that is way out of our price range to just spend on ONE thing, we declined and walked back to our hostel. So damn, no cloud forest for me... But more time in Colombia instead. !!!!!
But, everything happens for a reason, right? Back at out hostel we met a LOT more people, and this morning I did Tai Chi with an older man who was sharing our same dorm. It was really nice, and he said some really neat things. We got to talking about Tai Chi and dance, and he described it as being soft on the outside, and hard or firm on the inside. Also, after our lesson (7 AM) I sat down to eat breakfast, but he waited for a few hours to Clean his stomach out. He described the stomach as the most powerful organ we have, the one that controls all. And that, once you have control over it, you can be free. Or something like that... :) But still, I like the sentiment. Especially as I am about to make my way into Colombia and work on this farm. I think that will be a very good process for me. I´ll let you know how that all goes, obvio... Thats about it for now- I may actually pay a visit to your hemisphere today as the equator is very close! So, I´ll be close... Stay well and be well.
Chau Chau
viernes, 8 de enero de 2010
If I were a bananna.....
Hellllo all!
wow, so... I am in Ecuador now! We (Margot and our new friend from the UK that we picked up in Peru named Marios) came a few days ago to this town-city called Cuenca. The border crossing was a little hectick because the people on our bus were really concerned about the potential of us getting robbed. They hustled us off the bus "hurry hurry, come on come on! get in line, come on!"and it was a little crazy. They were nice, just really wanted us to get across and back on the bus. But now, I have another stamp in my passport! We arrived in Cuenca and were greeted at the bus by a lady who had a hostle, and after a lot of chatting, we decided to go with her. it is nice, and we feel like it is our house, or "flat". *We are having a LOT of fun with Marios'accent, lol. So, we are there for the price of $5 s night (they use US dollars here!) and $6 with breakfast. Breakfast, and all the food we have eaten so far, consists of some type of fresh fruit juice, and this corn that is really big, and a little flavor-less when not cooked well. Yesterday we wandered around, and found an Awesome artisan shop where this girl made and sold all of these really cool pieces of jewelry, bags, earings.. everything. margot and I were in girly heaven. I got a bag that is SO awesome, and some really sweet earings that are butterfly wings! They are so cool! (side note: I found a cure to my metal allergy.. Clear nailpolish! I put some on my earrings and was not bothered! yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!) Then, we kept walking and found this Cuban bar that looked neat. We popped our head in and were very warmly greeted by the Cubans who owned it. they offered us drinks, etc... but it was early, so we said we would come back later. So, we made some dinner at our hostel and went to this Modern art museum that we had gone to earlier and that had told us about an art opening that night. The exhibits were really cool, and one of the artists has a doughter in Boulder! craaaazay! Then the exhibit closed and we went back to the Cuban bar for mojitos, salsa dancing, a little karaoke and an overall great time. We met another guy from Europe, and two girls from Nebraska that want to travel into Colombia as well! From the Cuban bar, we checked out some other places, and fnally stumbled upon this one really neat bar where I tried a traditional Ecuadorian drink that was hot! It was almost like hot cider or something, but with a different taste, and a lot more liquor. We stayed at that bar for the rest of the night drinking, chatting with some locals and listening to a few people playing awesome songs on the guitar. This German guy sang some real funky songs in German, and it was really cool.
Today we went to the mercado to eat some lunch and buy some veggies for a chicken soup that we are making. (side story on the chicken... The first night we went out late for dinner, and only one place was open, so we went in and ordered an ENTIRE Chicken! ha, wow. Also best chicken I've ever had. So, we ate the rest of it last night in a "curry"I invented, then used the carcas to boil and make soup! I think it will be really tasty...) So, we go this market and it is the coolest market I've ever seen. its in a building, but the celings are open, and where the stairs are is all open as well. There are three levels dedicated to meats, fruits and veggies,and prepaired food (where we ate lunch). For the grand total of $1.70 I got a delicious vegetable smoothie, and a plate of rice, noodles, meat, veggies and sauce. It ruled. Ecuador is SUPER cheap! And its nice being familiar with the currency, too! Its not this "monopoly money"(as Margot calles it) that we have to mentally convert into dollars "8 Peruvian soles is..... how many dollars? Is this cheap or expensive? should I bargian???" like that...
So, Ecuador is realllly nice. the people are really great, and speak SO clearly! wow. When we were driving to our destination we were surrounded by miles of rolling, lush, green hills and bananna farms as far as the eye could see! I bet some of them will be coming to a supermarket near you very soon! Or, they will end up in this open market here or in some other place. They will be picked from their tree and transported for miiiiiiiiiiles and miles. Free travel. Maybe I should be a bananna....
Hope you're all doing well up there!
Chau chau
wow, so... I am in Ecuador now! We (Margot and our new friend from the UK that we picked up in Peru named Marios) came a few days ago to this town-city called Cuenca. The border crossing was a little hectick because the people on our bus were really concerned about the potential of us getting robbed. They hustled us off the bus "hurry hurry, come on come on! get in line, come on!"and it was a little crazy. They were nice, just really wanted us to get across and back on the bus. But now, I have another stamp in my passport! We arrived in Cuenca and were greeted at the bus by a lady who had a hostle, and after a lot of chatting, we decided to go with her. it is nice, and we feel like it is our house, or "flat". *We are having a LOT of fun with Marios'accent, lol. So, we are there for the price of $5 s night (they use US dollars here!) and $6 with breakfast. Breakfast, and all the food we have eaten so far, consists of some type of fresh fruit juice, and this corn that is really big, and a little flavor-less when not cooked well. Yesterday we wandered around, and found an Awesome artisan shop where this girl made and sold all of these really cool pieces of jewelry, bags, earings.. everything. margot and I were in girly heaven. I got a bag that is SO awesome, and some really sweet earings that are butterfly wings! They are so cool! (side note: I found a cure to my metal allergy.. Clear nailpolish! I put some on my earrings and was not bothered! yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!) Then, we kept walking and found this Cuban bar that looked neat. We popped our head in and were very warmly greeted by the Cubans who owned it. they offered us drinks, etc... but it was early, so we said we would come back later. So, we made some dinner at our hostel and went to this Modern art museum that we had gone to earlier and that had told us about an art opening that night. The exhibits were really cool, and one of the artists has a doughter in Boulder! craaaazay! Then the exhibit closed and we went back to the Cuban bar for mojitos, salsa dancing, a little karaoke and an overall great time. We met another guy from Europe, and two girls from Nebraska that want to travel into Colombia as well! From the Cuban bar, we checked out some other places, and fnally stumbled upon this one really neat bar where I tried a traditional Ecuadorian drink that was hot! It was almost like hot cider or something, but with a different taste, and a lot more liquor. We stayed at that bar for the rest of the night drinking, chatting with some locals and listening to a few people playing awesome songs on the guitar. This German guy sang some real funky songs in German, and it was really cool.
Today we went to the mercado to eat some lunch and buy some veggies for a chicken soup that we are making. (side story on the chicken... The first night we went out late for dinner, and only one place was open, so we went in and ordered an ENTIRE Chicken! ha, wow. Also best chicken I've ever had. So, we ate the rest of it last night in a "curry"I invented, then used the carcas to boil and make soup! I think it will be really tasty...) So, we go this market and it is the coolest market I've ever seen. its in a building, but the celings are open, and where the stairs are is all open as well. There are three levels dedicated to meats, fruits and veggies,and prepaired food (where we ate lunch). For the grand total of $1.70 I got a delicious vegetable smoothie, and a plate of rice, noodles, meat, veggies and sauce. It ruled. Ecuador is SUPER cheap! And its nice being familiar with the currency, too! Its not this "monopoly money"(as Margot calles it) that we have to mentally convert into dollars "8 Peruvian soles is..... how many dollars? Is this cheap or expensive? should I bargian???" like that...
So, Ecuador is realllly nice. the people are really great, and speak SO clearly! wow. When we were driving to our destination we were surrounded by miles of rolling, lush, green hills and bananna farms as far as the eye could see! I bet some of them will be coming to a supermarket near you very soon! Or, they will end up in this open market here or in some other place. They will be picked from their tree and transported for miiiiiiiiiiles and miles. Free travel. Maybe I should be a bananna....
Hope you're all doing well up there!
Chau chau
sábado, 2 de enero de 2010
A new Year
Hello All!
Welcome to a new year and new decade of human existance. I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the New Year with loved ones.
I spent the new year celebration in Punta Hermosa. It is this little surfer town South of Lima in Peru. We were recommended to go here by Jessica (who we are staying with in Lima) and were told it would be a good party. And was it ever!
So, our "new years" started with us buying a calling card so that we could call our loved ones back in the States (which I learned is funny to call it such because "estados"=states means more like an emotional state, so its strange to say "in the state..." the state of what??). Anyway, we looked for a phone to call from, and the first one we tried didn´t work. So, we wandered around the beachfront a little more until we found another phone. It was outside of this restaurant, and there were all sorts of people chatting eating and drinking around the tabels. Well, that phone didn´t work, but we did end up striking conversation with 3 Brazillian surfers who were here for a surf holiday. They invited us for some wine (Chilean, thank god-Peruvian wine is awful) and we ended up hitting off what turned out to be a wonderful conversation and friendshhip in a mix of English, Spanish and Portugese. So, we agreed to meet up before the New Year celebration as Margot and I had to take our stuff to the house we were staying at (Carol, the niece of Jessica) and they were going to their hostel to shower, etc... So, we found Carol and went to drop our stuff off at her house. There we encountered a LOT of very party-animal Peruvians, but scored some free drinks. We had put our stuff in Carol´s room, knowing that it would not be needed until much later in the night. So, we snuck out of the house party (it was a little lame and we had Brazillian friends to meet up with!) and walked down to the playa. We met our friends and drank, wandered, watch fireworks and went into the waves to ring in the New Year. I had my baithing suit on, so naturally I jumped, frolliced and dove into the wonderful waters of the Pacific Ocean. Definately a good way to celebrate...
Then, we hung with our friends more, danced in the streets, hugged, kissed and said our "feliz año" to everyone, and made our way back to Carol´s. Ugh. When we got there, it was very different than when we had left. Including an inconvenient lock on the door of the room with our stuff in it. Left to fend for ourselfs, Margot and I went to look for a place to finally rest our heads. We found one room, but were soon kicked out by the guy that lives there, ok... Then found another room with a bunk bed and extra bed where we decided would be good to sleep. WRONG. We were immediately invaded by drunk Peruvians who offered any and everything from conversing to..... not conversing. The entire night we were being touched and bothered by all these guys! It was horrible. They weren´t touching us in any wrong, sexual way, but just grabbing out feet, arms, etc... and it was so bothersome! This lasted for Way too long, and finally margot was like "lets get the _______ out of here!" agreed. So, we knew where our Brazillian friends were staying, and after getting our stuff out of the (finally) unlocked room, we went to look for a place we could Actually sleep. So, we went to their hostel and was told they had no spaces, but the place across the street did. So we knocked on their door, and the Señora told us "no". But, fortunately for us, the man next door heard us, and arranged four chairs for us to put together on his back deck. It wasn´t luxury, but we were alone and not being bothered, and right by the coast. Once we were coherent enough, we got up and learned that his house was, in fact a hostel but was currently full, so that was the least he could do. We thanked him a bunch for the hospitality, and he continued with feeding us breakfast And lunch. All for no price. Only being nice. Feeling better, we went Back to the other hostel where our friends were, and were granted a room to stay in. So, we finally had our own room, and meals are included! Its really nice here, and as it turns out, it is a Surf Camp! So, here we are surrounded by a bunch of gorgeous Brazillian surfers (almost everyone is from Brazil, apparently)in the middle of Peru. Isn´t life funny? Yesterday and today have been spent very tranquiloly but we are definately looking forward to getting out of Lima, and going up furthur North to Mancora, another surf town. So, in the end, everything has worked out just splendedly, but we are for sure looking forward to what other adventures are in store for us. Plus, I am picking up a little portugese...Brazil, anyone???
Until next time...
Chau
Welcome to a new year and new decade of human existance. I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the New Year with loved ones.
I spent the new year celebration in Punta Hermosa. It is this little surfer town South of Lima in Peru. We were recommended to go here by Jessica (who we are staying with in Lima) and were told it would be a good party. And was it ever!
So, our "new years" started with us buying a calling card so that we could call our loved ones back in the States (which I learned is funny to call it such because "estados"=states means more like an emotional state, so its strange to say "in the state..." the state of what??). Anyway, we looked for a phone to call from, and the first one we tried didn´t work. So, we wandered around the beachfront a little more until we found another phone. It was outside of this restaurant, and there were all sorts of people chatting eating and drinking around the tabels. Well, that phone didn´t work, but we did end up striking conversation with 3 Brazillian surfers who were here for a surf holiday. They invited us for some wine (Chilean, thank god-Peruvian wine is awful) and we ended up hitting off what turned out to be a wonderful conversation and friendshhip in a mix of English, Spanish and Portugese. So, we agreed to meet up before the New Year celebration as Margot and I had to take our stuff to the house we were staying at (Carol, the niece of Jessica) and they were going to their hostel to shower, etc... So, we found Carol and went to drop our stuff off at her house. There we encountered a LOT of very party-animal Peruvians, but scored some free drinks. We had put our stuff in Carol´s room, knowing that it would not be needed until much later in the night. So, we snuck out of the house party (it was a little lame and we had Brazillian friends to meet up with!) and walked down to the playa. We met our friends and drank, wandered, watch fireworks and went into the waves to ring in the New Year. I had my baithing suit on, so naturally I jumped, frolliced and dove into the wonderful waters of the Pacific Ocean. Definately a good way to celebrate...
Then, we hung with our friends more, danced in the streets, hugged, kissed and said our "feliz año" to everyone, and made our way back to Carol´s. Ugh. When we got there, it was very different than when we had left. Including an inconvenient lock on the door of the room with our stuff in it. Left to fend for ourselfs, Margot and I went to look for a place to finally rest our heads. We found one room, but were soon kicked out by the guy that lives there, ok... Then found another room with a bunk bed and extra bed where we decided would be good to sleep. WRONG. We were immediately invaded by drunk Peruvians who offered any and everything from conversing to..... not conversing. The entire night we were being touched and bothered by all these guys! It was horrible. They weren´t touching us in any wrong, sexual way, but just grabbing out feet, arms, etc... and it was so bothersome! This lasted for Way too long, and finally margot was like "lets get the _______ out of here!" agreed. So, we knew where our Brazillian friends were staying, and after getting our stuff out of the (finally) unlocked room, we went to look for a place we could Actually sleep. So, we went to their hostel and was told they had no spaces, but the place across the street did. So we knocked on their door, and the Señora told us "no". But, fortunately for us, the man next door heard us, and arranged four chairs for us to put together on his back deck. It wasn´t luxury, but we were alone and not being bothered, and right by the coast. Once we were coherent enough, we got up and learned that his house was, in fact a hostel but was currently full, so that was the least he could do. We thanked him a bunch for the hospitality, and he continued with feeding us breakfast And lunch. All for no price. Only being nice. Feeling better, we went Back to the other hostel where our friends were, and were granted a room to stay in. So, we finally had our own room, and meals are included! Its really nice here, and as it turns out, it is a Surf Camp! So, here we are surrounded by a bunch of gorgeous Brazillian surfers (almost everyone is from Brazil, apparently)in the middle of Peru. Isn´t life funny? Yesterday and today have been spent very tranquiloly but we are definately looking forward to getting out of Lima, and going up furthur North to Mancora, another surf town. So, in the end, everything has worked out just splendedly, but we are for sure looking forward to what other adventures are in store for us. Plus, I am picking up a little portugese...Brazil, anyone???
Until next time...
Chau
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