Aprovecha, mija. Aprovecha

I can't seem to get enough of this place.

Every morning when I wake up (regardless of whether my dream was in Spanish or night), I still get excited that I'm in another country, speaking a different language and living amongst the people.

I've partially described my family to you, but just to give you a hint into my life on a daily basis:

I wake up, literally with the sun's beams making their way from the sun's core to my buried face. Beneath 4 layers of blankets and 2 layers of clothing, I arise. Ready to make my way out the gate into the city I call home. But before all this is the preparation.

My bed faces a fairly big window so I have a fantastic view of the ocean, much of the city and 2 nearby cities. I open the window to wake myself up and to breathe in the new day. (It's usually around 50 degrees F. so I close it after 3 min.). I have class at 9am so I leave (with my 2 gringo cousins) at 8:10. I try to be up by 6:45am on an okay day but ideally, by 6:30am I'm up. After taking in the view, the weather and the awesomeness of my Savior, I head downstairs to take a shower. Turning on the water heater is now second nature so I quickly flip a few switches, turn the knob, light a match and rotate the knob to HOT water. Warm water, YES. Head into the bathroom, wait for the shower head to catch up to my preference of warmth. I can see the clothes line from the bathroom so I close this window. Don't want creepers. 10-15min later, we have a steamy bathroom, fogged up mirror and a clean gringa.

Run up the stairs, don't wake up Pauli and watch out for the dog. Tom. -I've never had a dog, but have always wanted one as calm and tranquil as Tom. I give him a nice rub knowing that I'll have hair all over me seeing as he gets hair EVERYWHERE in the house. Ah. Oh well.

As much as I'd like to open my blinds and watch the sun and the people bring in the new day...that window is too big and I've gotta get ready. I put on some tunes, find a new combination of layered clothing and I'm ready. Breakfast is on the table and so is my lunch. Mom makes some ballin' rice and chicken! I grab some pepper from home. Gotta get that spice down! I'm out the door.

80 stair steps later I'm walking down a dirt rock road to catch  the 607/612 micro (bus) with other student in Plaza Bismark. I see familiar faces and familiar dogs.

380 pesos later, I'm traveling from Valparaíso to Viña del Mar for Spanish class. A 40 minute bus ride standing makes it more enjoyable...well, that's what I think. The micros drive as fast as they can and if you miss your stop...opps. Next time, you'll get up before the stop comes up. I make some new friends because they like my braids. Some decide to take a picture. I don't mind.

Later, the micro travels along the ocean front and reaches my destination. Walking up more stairs and talking with my amigos sobre their weekends/nights fills the time between then and class. This day, a flea full, hungry, ill dog follows us up the stairs and finds a nice spot outside our classroom until it's time to go. Class is over at 1pm and we're all craving chocolate. The pandería sells postres, dulces and anything with dulce de leche ie, manjar (boy is that stuff gooooood).

I take the long, slow route home which includes walking through Bellavista and admiring all the things venders sell on the street. From one single computer part to several styles of hair scrunches. It's all there. I make my way through the hustle and bustle of the people and find that though I walk this very path every single day, I find it enticing just the same.

The firefighters are soliciting for support because their work is voluntary. If it wasn’t for the fact that two of my “cousins” are firefighters and they’d already made me buy, I’d support their cause. The owner of an alcohol store stands outside his store surveying and bringing in customers. I have the option of taking a colectivo, a taxi like mode of transportation or taking the micro back up the hill from Plaza Ecuador. Micro wins. Though it takes more time and is way full, I’m totally up for taking my time and seeing the sites. This time only for 200 pesos.

I’m home, yell up to my vecinos (neighbors) and am greeted by dear dear Tom. I let him out, greet my mother with a beso and recount my day to her. She laughs at almost all my stories and invites me to eat now or wait for Pauli to come home. I decide to wait and spend the rest of the evening outside, once more, soaking up what’s left of the day and watching the boats  navigate the waters with suave and ease. Before I know it, the sun has set, tea and pan (bread) are on the table and it’s time for las onces. Tom finds his way, slowly but surely, to my feet hoping that something falls to the ground. I once tried to feed him potatoes and celery..didn’t really like that. Jaja.

It’s as if each day has something new to offer and my goal is to take advantage of it. Of it all. Aprovecha el dia, mija.

---Take advantage of the newness of each day that you are given. It’s quite intriguing what you can find.—

Besitos and abrazos,

Ife ‘Quipayan’ S.

The Dynamics

Ola, onda!

What's good? Well, hope things are going well for you and that you're enjoying the little and big things in this life.

Tomorrow marks the 3rd week of my stay in Chile and it feels good. I am carving out my own niche and have found my part in this family, which I'm still meeting.

The interesting about being in Chile is that even though I'm with a totally different family and group of people, my interactions seem to be the same. Por ejemplo:

    This past weekend was the celebration of Chile's 200th year of independence from Spain so it was such a big deal. It was a weekend for carretes (parties) and family. (I had a blast for so many reasons, one being I learned how to dance la cueca [Chilean national dance] and danced it at least 3 times these past 2 days. Ballin'. I know). My immediate family consists of a dad, mom, and daughter. *Their other daughter lives in the US but they hear from her often.*  And our dog Tom. What a name! The extended family, which really isn't as extended as you may think, consists of 4 aunts, 3 uncles, 2 grandparents, 2 grandparents' siblings, 2 grandkids, and 6 cousins (with their significant others)! The majority of us live in the same compound while the others live about 15 minutes away by foot (which is a very common mode of transportation. I brought the wrong shoes).
    I absolutely love the family here and the craziness that comes with them all because once you put Tio Carlos with Papa Nano and Tia Aracelli, you've already got a comedy sketch! So, on Sunday, all the cousins (including 2 other gringos-- loving way to say American) and their partner came together to have a ballin' fonda sin fondo at cousin Roro's casa. I invited some of my friends from the program warning them that the event didn't start until 10pm and wouldn't end till 6am...we actually ended a bit earlier, 5:45am (so is the culture). They asked if they could sleep over then 'cause going back home at that time wouldn't be smart.

This is all going down around 8:30pm as family is just leaving my house after hours (8 to be exact) of eating, dancing, playing games (like the egg toss game), and talking. My mom just left to escort her good friends out so I wait for her to come back so I can ask if my friends can spend the night. Meanwhile, I'm chillin' having las onces (a tea-time meal: tea, bread, small snacks) with my dad, aunt, great uncle and cousin. They're making fun of me 'cause I put milk in my tea and missed las onces with my family (the other bagillion people who were at the house) since I was skypeando (the act of skyping--real word).
 
    By the time my mom gets back, I'm done and just waiting for her at this point. "Diela, quiero saber si está bien si mis amigas, gringas piolas, pueden quedarse en casa después de la fonda?" -Diela, can my really nice friends spend the night? Her answer: Sure. We proceed to talk about sleeping arrangements and whatnot. I've gotten the all clear and the rest is history. Until she asks why I didn't just ask my dad.

Oops. In my family in America, I'm accustomed to asking my mom for everything because she has the final word in things pertaining to my social life. Dad gets the academic and life decisions.

I just insulted my Chilean father. The head of the house gets undermined and I didn't even realize this. I begin to plead for forgiveness and convince him that this is the way the dynamics in my family works! Gosh, do I feel bad.

It's crazy to think that such a small thing in my mind, in my previous world, has no place here. I'm sure that all the relationships I've built here in Chile are based on counter relationships in America. For better or for worse.

    P.S. For those of you who've seen me dance and make a fool of myself...I do that more often here. Fiestas every weekend. And I just like dancing in general, so even if no one else is dancing, bet your bottom dollar I am. In public...by my self.

Anywho, I miss you all and would love to skype sometime. Holla atcha home child.

Besitos y abrazitos,
Quipayan.

Que es, es po.

There are some things in life that are the way they are. Like, Wisconsin will always be cold in the winter. There's nothing that I can do about it or anyone else for that  matter. Pues, the some applies to Chile. There are things that I'l just have to get used to while I'm here. None of them are bad and I am not compromising any of me or who I am to oblige...well...yea. Nope. Here is a short list, not comprehensive at all, of my fabulous "que es, es" things that I will get used to...eventually:

1) The kisses-  This one was easier getting used to because I knew about it. There is no way of getting around it and I, for one, don't mind. When you greet someone, you greet them with un beso (kiss) on the cheek (some people get too close to the mouth for comfort, but that hasn't happened to me. Thank God). If you're thinking, wow Ife, you're so brave to put your lips on someone else's face that has already been kissed, then boy do I have a surpise for you. Yes, I am brave. Except there's a short cut. You just put your cheek on theirs and make the kissing noise! Revolutionary! Sí. Sé. But really, po. When you enter, saluda con un beso y when you leave, sale con otro beso.

2) Heat-It's winter now and I like staying warm, but the thing is, that is made possible by systematically increasing the layers of clothing one wears. Once, I wore 5 layers, including my abrigo. The "heater" simply is there to heat up your water y nada mas. If you are cold, get more clothes! I learned that. My host mother, Diela, always says, " Abrígate!" "Wrap yourself up!" It's not even a question anymore.
I learned how to turn on the heater so I can have warm water to shower in. The machine is called a calefactor and y flip a switch, strike a fósforo (match), light a gas pipe  (obviously, not the pipe, but the opening) and turn the dial to cálido or caliente (warm or hot) otherwise you bathe in agua helada. I hear it's good for the skin...

3) Meal talk- Especially with all the primos, novias, novios, tios, tias, hermanos y pololos (less serious than novio...casual dating more or less while novio seems to indicate there is a possible future together). Talk equals alcoholic drinks, checking if the gringa (me) knows words or is understanding what's going on, and all around loving. I've only been with my family for 1.5 days and 1.5 nights on a weekend (which means everyone is home), but all the conversations have included this. I'm not drinking during the program though the legal age is 18, wine is served at lunch and you can get whatever type of copete (drink) at dinner. Why? I'll get into that later. But back to the topic, yes, we eat a lot and drink a bit less. But not much less. I don't have much to contribute because my knowledge of drinks is very limited...and in spanish...even more. Also, jokes are ALWAYS being made. Ranging from chistes about being drunk or alcohol to chistes about finding me un pololo or any other gringo at the table. Food=lots of laughter. This is what I appreciate about their culture and my host family.

4) Standing out- I've seen a total of 3 dark people here in Chile, not saying that we are a novelty, but yes, I stand out. My communication and accent are good enough that people stare extra hard in astonishment (not to toot my own horn). I also am wearing trenzas (braids) that everyone HAS to touch. Almost everywhere I go, someone asks about it. I don't mind because I know that they appreciate the hair style. I stand out now, and will continue to stand out. Maybe, less and less...well, nope. I'll still be the gringa that has a uncommon hair style with skin way darker that theirs and speaks Spanish (well, attempts to) like a Chilean, slang and all. Jajaja. I totally am on my way to a great journey and glad you're coming with me! Me encanta.

Pues, tengo un exam a las 10am today and need to sleep. What I do best with 4 blankets in my super chevere pieza (room). I like this life. Wish me good luck and say some prayers, I'm taking la micro (bus) with my gringo cousins by ourselves. Hopefully,we don't get lost and miss our stop. Ah.

Besitos and un abrazito,

    Ife. You should hear the way they attempt to pronounce 'Ifeoluwa'. Let's just say, we'll stick with Ife, po.