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.
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