18 months and counting
Maybe I should stop counting how long I have lived here, it's just that I still get the question at least once a week, how long have you been here? When are you going home? Well as normal, I have let life fly by and decided it's about time for an update, as I arrive at my 1 1/2 year mark of life in Chile.
I'm sorry, hasn't it been decades?
Well life has been swift, exciting, normal and swell as it can be. I spent the holiday season in Chile this year, enjoying an amazing Chilean Thanksgiving with all of the international volunteers and friends here in my apartment. We had a splendid mix of traditional dishes and international food. We passed around boxed wine and then mushily all stood up to say exactly what we were thankful for that year. I was grateful for many many things. Following Thanksgiving, I stayed in the very warm holiday spirit by attending the Paris Day Parade (yes its a mockery of the Macy's day Parade), some holiday parties, and a beautiful Christmas eve night at my boyfriend's house with his family.
Enjoying sitting outside until midnight when the presents were exchanged, was a very different and awesome experience. Still skyped my parents Christmas morning to open the presents they had sent me via computer. Finished the 2010 year with a bang at a cute little cabin by the beach with close friends and Nicolas as we popped a champagne bottle on the beach and walked barefoot up the rocky road. My favorite new years so far, calm, quiet and barefoot on the beach.
In order to bring in the transition smoothly, I took off for Brazil the morning after my last day in the office. Spent an amazing 2 weeks traveling through the most beautiful country in the world (sorry Chile) with my amazing friend, Sanneke. Arrived in Sao Paolo for a 6 hour lay over only to discover that I should have stayed in the airport and not wandered out into the streets, but after making it safely back to the bus station, headed up north to meet Sanneke in Paraty, an adorable small town on the coast, where we meet some local Brazilians and visited many local beaches. After three nights in Paraty, I successfully convinced my friend to return to Rio de Janiera (again, she just came from there) for the weekend. Best decision, hands down.
Two nights in Rio proved to be an experience all in itself. The most incredible dancing I have seen in forever, a great hostel and a packed beach full of asses of all sizes. From Rio we took a 30 hour bus to cross into Argentina for the night and see stunning Iguazu Falls.
Was nature at it's best and also a bit of a tourist trap now as well. Headed back up north after two overnight buses and a night in Argentina to finish the trip with four days in Florianopolis. Looking back I can't believe that we only spent three nights and four days there because it was the best paradise I have ever ever been to in my life. The most amazing location, people, atmosphere, beaches, surfing, parties on the beach, you name it, it had it and I look forward to the day I can see this beauty again.
Came back to Santiago, happy, tan and refreshed for life. Spent another week exploring Santiago from fresh eyes with Sanneke and heading out to different bars every night, reliving the old days before she left me for Holland! Soon after, the middle of February arrived and I started working at a new position as the Teacher Training Manager at a school for English. After word spread of my training abilities (huh, what?) I was finally offered a position with salary, health insurance and the works! Hesitant still of what I was getting myself into, I took the position and have been getting my feet wet slowly for the last three weeks. In the meantime I spent extra time with the kids at the orphanage, went on a few hiking field trips with them, which was a complete blast, and found myself a social work internship.
Starting this week I will be working with a community center in La Florida. I went to visit the place two weeks ago and discovered some of the worst poverty I have yet to see in Santiago. The center has been there for more than 20 years and is the only that exists of it's type. After spending an hour with the Director, a Chilean social worker, who was one of the most passionate and outspoken Chilean women I have met yet, I had a very good feeling about the place. I will be working between 15 and 20 hours a week doing case study, counseling, programing, back to my roots finally, they work with everything from drug trafficking, prostitution, abuse, etc. Finally will be learning the Chilean social work system and putting 18 months of studying Spanish to use in a professional setting (yes I am scared shitless about this). Deep breaths, every challenge brings us to new levels in the end.
And yet bigger news, when you thought a lot had happened, in the mist of the last two blurry weeks of my life, my parents booked a ticket to Santiago, came, visited and left. WHAT? They called a week before they came after searching for months and finally buying a ticket. Arrived in Santiago on a Sunday morning, some lost luggage and flight delays, and booked into their posh hotel, they rested and then I put them to the test. Santiago and the surrounding areas in 6 short days! They did it, they saw the main highlights of the city, met some friends, had an awesome wine filled night at Nicolas's house with his family, ate at every restaurant they could find, and drank wine, a lot of wine. We visited the orphanage, a winery, the mountains, the ocean, another city, and put up with my lack of directions, public buses, metros, and reminders to keep their belongings close at hand near the central markets. They did great and hopefully enjoyed it as much I did. You blink and something just flies by.
Until next time, keep running, keep reading, keep learning.
Chauito.
My marathon training
I'm sorry, hasn't it been decades?
Well life has been swift, exciting, normal and swell as it can be. I spent the holiday season in Chile this year, enjoying an amazing Chilean Thanksgiving with all of the international volunteers and friends here in my apartment. We had a splendid mix of traditional dishes and international food. We passed around boxed wine and then mushily all stood up to say exactly what we were thankful for that year. I was grateful for many many things. Following Thanksgiving, I stayed in the very warm holiday spirit by attending the Paris Day Parade (yes its a mockery of the Macy's day Parade), some holiday parties, and a beautiful Christmas eve night at my boyfriend's house with his family.
Enjoying sitting outside until midnight when the presents were exchanged, was a very different and awesome experience. Still skyped my parents Christmas morning to open the presents they had sent me via computer. Finished the 2010 year with a bang at a cute little cabin by the beach with close friends and Nicolas as we popped a champagne bottle on the beach and walked barefoot up the rocky road. My favorite new years so far, calm, quiet and barefoot on the beach.
January brought the close of my time as Director of Programs at VE GLOBAL. I wrapped up some projects, and went through some transitions as I thought about future steps after almost a year and a half of either heading to the orphanage or the office, wondering what was next for me in Santiago.
In order to bring in the transition smoothly, I took off for Brazil the morning after my last day in the office. Spent an amazing 2 weeks traveling through the most beautiful country in the world (sorry Chile) with my amazing friend, Sanneke. Arrived in Sao Paolo for a 6 hour lay over only to discover that I should have stayed in the airport and not wandered out into the streets, but after making it safely back to the bus station, headed up north to meet Sanneke in Paraty, an adorable small town on the coast, where we meet some local Brazilians and visited many local beaches. After three nights in Paraty, I successfully convinced my friend to return to Rio de Janiera (again, she just came from there) for the weekend. Best decision, hands down. 
Two nights in Rio proved to be an experience all in itself. The most incredible dancing I have seen in forever, a great hostel and a packed beach full of asses of all sizes. From Rio we took a 30 hour bus to cross into Argentina for the night and see stunning Iguazu Falls. 
Came back to Santiago, happy, tan and refreshed for life. Spent another week exploring Santiago from fresh eyes with Sanneke and heading out to different bars every night, reliving the old days before she left me for Holland! Soon after, the middle of February arrived and I started working at a new position as the Teacher Training Manager at a school for English. After word spread of my training abilities (huh, what?) I was finally offered a position with salary, health insurance and the works! Hesitant still of what I was getting myself into, I took the position and have been getting my feet wet slowly for the last three weeks. In the meantime I spent extra time with the kids at the orphanage, went on a few hiking field trips with them, which was a complete blast, and found myself a social work internship.
And yet bigger news, when you thought a lot had happened, in the mist of the last two blurry weeks of my life, my parents booked a ticket to Santiago, came, visited and left. WHAT? They called a week before they came after searching for months and finally buying a ticket. Arrived in Santiago on a Sunday morning, some lost luggage and flight delays, and booked into their posh hotel, they rested and then I put them to the test. Santiago and the surrounding areas in 6 short days! They did it, they saw the main highlights of the city, met some friends, had an awesome wine filled night at Nicolas's house with his family, ate at every restaurant they could find, and drank wine, a lot of wine. We visited the orphanage, a winery, the mountains, the ocean, another city, and put up with my lack of directions, public buses, metros, and reminders to keep their belongings close at hand near the central markets. They did great and hopefully enjoyed it as much I did. You blink and something just flies by.
So that brings us up to about present I believe. Now? Well the english job kicks off, the social work internship, the new chapter of my life and with it, the Santiago Marathon! I have been running like a mad woman for the last three months and have one fatal month left to go. Not sure how I will get there or how I got here for that matter, but as much as I love running, I have stuck to my guns, and for the first time since I was 21 years old trained and run very long distances by myself, sometimes without even music! So April 3rd is closely approaching and any support is appreciated! Inspired by my love of running, the book, Born to Run, seriously I couldn't think of anything that brought me as much pleasure as reading this incredibly amazing book of true stories. If you even remotely like running, I highly suggest this book. and lastly the kids I have grown so incredibly close to at Aldea Maria Reina, that my parents had the ability to meet last week. Children who bring lots of joy to my life, I also run for them.
Until next time, keep running, keep reading, keep learning.
My marathon training
WOW.wonderfull picz.enjoy mu dear ;)
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