Travel Whoa's
The group left Portland on September 4, heading for Dallas. When we arrived spirits were high, but after three flight cancellations and 30 hours in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport whispers were being passed around regarding our impending doom. Fortunately this mishap provided time for a misfit group of college students to come together, sharing in sleep deprivation and body odor. After re-booking the entire group on a different flight, American Airlines was able to provide a functioning plane (and complimentary cocktails), and we were soon jet-setting to Santiago. After a ten hour flight and five more hours on a bus, we finally arrived in Chillán.
A little bit about Chillán
Chillán is located about 5 hours south of Santiago, in Chile's Central Valley. Sitting half-way between La Cordillera de los Andes, and the Pacific Ocean, it's home to a 165,000 people, the most famous of which is Bernardo O'Higgins*. On a clear day (which are becoming more and more frequent) you can see the volcanoes of the Cordillera from many parts of the city. Though Chillán was founded in 1550, the city has been rebuilt multiple times due to Mapuche attacks (the indigenous people to the area), and multiple earthquakes. The most notable of which was in 1939, where 30,000 people lost their lives.
*O'Higgins was an independence leader who helped free Chile from Spanish rule in the early 1800's, and is known as one of the founders of the Republic.
Mi Familia
Upon arriving in Chillán I was whisked off the bus and into a four-door Ford ranger, driven by a jolly man, wearing spectacles and a Chiléan sombrero. He was happy to share with me the many highlights of the city; or at least that was my interpretation. Between his strong Chilean accent, and my very simple knowledge of the Spanish language, I'm uncertain as to what was really being communicated. Based upon some very sound advice I received before leaving the states (you know who you are :)), I simply smiled as big as possible, transitioning between my two favorite Spanish words: Si, and bueno. This was my first encounter with my Chiléan host-father, Papá Rodrigo. He is a truly wonderful man, with a personality larger than the brim of his sombrero. He is a juaso (a Chiléan cowboy), farming land a short drive east of Chillán. He farms 49 hectares, consisting of mainly grain and cereal, but he also has some fruit trees and raspberries bushes.
My host-mother, Mamá Raquel is a secondary-school teacher in Chillán. Her kindness rivals that of her husbands, and her patience is beyond anything I have ever experienced. Aside from teaching, Mamá Raquel makes small pieces of art and clothing from alpaca fiber, and seems to be fairly well known for baking delicious cakes. She is doing her best to ensure that I don't lose any weight while I'm here, never hesitating to insist, "¡mas pan!"
I met my host-sister, (mi hermana) MariaJosé the first night that I arrived in Chillán. At the time, I found myself exhausted from the long trip, and overwhelmed by my inability to communicate with anyone. The fetal position, accompanied by a 3 month nap seemed like my most promising options. Then it happened; I can't begin to explain the elation the came over my entire being when I heard those first few precious words of English escape MariaJosés mouth. I had found my savior. All exaggerations aside, I was really pretty stoked to have the ability to communicate some basic needs. Though my primary reason for coming to Chile (or at least my excuse) was to learn Spanish, nothing battles culture shock like the ability to communicate. Ok, now about José. She is a fantastic person, who works as a psychologist in an orphanage here in Chillán. She also teaches classes, and has hopes of someday getting her Master's degree, and possibly a PhD. José learned English as a high-school student, studying abroad in the States, and then later lived and worked in Michigan. Not only does she speak Spanish and English, but she is now working on Korean. We have a great time together, often chatting in both Spanish and English.
Last, but not least is my host-brother (mi hermano) Rodrigo. Though I have lived here for three weeks, we have had only a few opportunities to spend time together. These occur mainly over a late night snack of papas fritas or asparagus. Rodrigo is also a juaso, and he competes in Chile's national rodeo circuit which runs from 18 September through May. Like his father, he works on a farm. The more time I spend with him, the more I begin to enjoy his jovial personality. Oh, I almost forgot; Rodrigo has a polala (girlfriend) named Stephanie. Her humor is easily equal to his.
....ramble, ramble, ramble
Like I said before, so many things have happened since I've arrived (and for better or worse, I never find myself short of words), this really only covers the basics. I am hoping now that school is in full swing I can begin to get a routine going and update this on a regular basis.
Soon I hope to share with you our day shredding Volcán Chillán, two days of booze and bovine (also known as Fiesta Patrias), and an excursion south, which after a 20 km bike ride lead us to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Pictures soon to come. Chao, chao! :)
