I can't believe how fast my time here in Chile is passing. How is it already May? I have been here for almost two and a half months now, which is just crazy. It is so hard to describe my feelings about the way that time has passed here. On the one hand it feels like I just got here yesterday, but on the other hand when I think about all the amazing things I have done and how accustomed I have become to my life here, it feels like I have been here forever. Regardless, after two and half months I have to say that my semester in Chile has been and continues to be one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life -- and it just gets better each and every day.
The things that I am having the opportunity to do here just boggle my mind, and every day is a new adventure. I am loving every second of it. I am reaching the point in my study abroad semester, however, where I am beginning to see an end. Although there are things that I really miss about home and people to whom I will be excited to come home, I don't know how I will ever leave this place. I am starting to develop fears that I will not accomplish everything I wanted to do while I was abroad, or see everything in Vina or Valpo or Chile or South America that I wanted to see...but I just have to keep telling myself that anything and everything I get to do here is amazing, and whatever I miss out on I can do another time (hopefully!).
However, with these developing fears, I am consciously reminding myself to appreciate each and every second I have here in Chile. One of the experiences I will remember most about my time here in Vina and Valpo -- though it is such a small thing -- is my daily metro ride to Valparaiso from Vina del Mar. I have seven stops on the metro between my house and school, and half of the ride is in the tunnel and half of it is above ground. There is a moment each day after the Miramar station (for those of you who know what I am talking about) when the metro emerges from the tunnel to the light of day and a stunning view of the Valparaiso bay. Looking out the window of the metro, I can see the endless expanse of ocean extending to the west, dotted with cargo ships, navy vessels, fishermen, and sail boats. To the north, I can see the hotels and beautiful beach of Vina del Mar, with the dunes of Concon in the distance behind them. To the South the beautiful cerros (hills) of Valparaiso, overflowing with colorful houses, ascensores (elevator things that go up the hills), and windy roads, with the vast harbor of the port of Valparaiso in front of them. It is this sight, as well as the amazing sunset and twinkly lights of the Valpo cerros on my way home that makes every single day in this beautiful city something worth appreciating. No matter what my mood each day, these sights and the realization of what an amazing city in which I am currently living make me happy. I am going to miss it so much when I leave.
Oh my there is so much to update on this blog about the activities I have been doing over the past month...I'll try to make it not too obnoxiously long. The weekend before last I went to the Superclasico, which is one of the biggest soccer (futbol) games of the season between Colo Colo and the University of Chile. I think that after that experience, I can go home to the U.S. happy and feeling like I experienced South America -- it was an absolutely unforgettable time. I only wish that sports in the U.S. were half as exciting as that game. The futbol fans in Chile are absolutely crazy, and it's amazing. They are on their feet screaming, singing, and cheering the ENTIRE game, and they eat, sweat, sleep, and breathe their team. It was so much fun to be in that atmosphere, and the game was great to watch as well. Getting there was a bit sketchy, though. The fans are so intense that the bus and the metro and the stadium are kind of unsafe, especially for us gringas. Luckily, we had our Chilean protector Al with us to help us get there safely.
The carabineros (police) were absolutely insane for this game. There were so many of them dividing the U of Chile and Colo Colo fans as well as guarding the garra blanca (the place where all the crazy Colo Colo fans sit). Al told us that the carabineros really abuse their power during the game because they have to deal with so much from the fans. They are especially harsh with the garra blanca. I remember one point during the game when I looked up at the garra blanca and every single person all of a sudden started running down the stands, followed by carabineros in full riot gear hitting them with their night sticks. I found out later that two people died before and during the game because of police brutality -- crazy. Overall, however, the game was so much fun and such a great experience, I am so glad I had to opportunity to go! CHI CHI, LE LE, CHI CHI CHI! LE LE LE! COLO COLO DE CHILE! CHUCHA CONCHATUMADRE!!! Haha. (Sidenote: shouting CONCHATUMADRE at every opportunity you have is the most satisfying thing I have ever done).
This past weekend I had another amazing experience, which was going to the sixth region (one region to the south of the one in which I am living) to a town called Marchigue to build emergency shelters (called mediaguas) for earthquake victims with the organization Un Techo Para Chile (which means a roof for Chile). I had been feeling really weird about being here in Chile when this huge natural disaster hit and affected so many people's lives, yet not doing anything to help, so this weekend was such a great way to finally get to help reconstruct this amazing country. The weekend was one of the best I have spent here in Chile (though I probably keep saying that for every weekend I spend here). I met so many amazing people, made a lot of new Chilean friends, and did more manual labor than I have ever done in my entire life. I got to use a hammer, shovel debris, carry heavy wooden walls, dig holes for the supporting beams, and even use an electric saw! I did everything! It was so rewarding and so much fun.
One of the best parts of the weekend was a personal accomplishment that I achieved. My goal for the weekend was to try to speak as much Spanish (and as little English) as possible -- and I definitely succeeded. As we were picking our groups with which to build the mediaguas, I decided to take the plunge and leave the security of my gringa friends and go join a group of completely Chileans -- I was the only gringa! At times it was a bit overwhelming and of course there were moments of completely confusing and lack of understanding, but I was so proud of myself for putting myself in a situation that may not have been completely comfortable but which was great for my personal growth and my Spanish language skills. Everyone in my group was so incredibly nice to me, and they made me feel really good about trying to speak Spanish the whole time. It was the kind of immersion experience I needed to keep improving my Spanish, so I felt very accomplished by the end of the weekend. Overal, Techo was absolutely fantastic -- an unforgettable experience.
Only two and a half months left here...and I know it is going to fly by. I will continue to try my very best to get absolutely everything I can out of the time I have left here, and appreciate every moment.
With undying love for Colo Colo, Un Techo Para Chile, new friends, personal growth, appreciating every day, the ocean, learning a new language, having new adventures, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, and Chile.
