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.