You were warned! These past two weeks have been very busy as classes have started and I've begun to settle in to my daily life here. Here's what I've been up to...
Classes mostly consist of daily sessions of intensive Spanish at La Universidad Alberto Hurtado. Our group of eleven is split into two smaller classes based on Spanish ability. My teacher, Mabel, is a tiny woman with a lot of energy and personality. Besides the obligatory grammar exercises, she gets us to talk about interesting issues like class, gender, race and compare it to the US experience. There is also a fun cultural component to the classes that give us a more in depth look into Chilean/Latin life than any guide book could ever do. She especially likes to give us the lyrics to songs in Spanish with some words missing. We then have to listen to the song and fill in the blanks on the sheet. Let me tell you, this activity is much harder than it sounds. Mostly my classmates and I struggle to hear what exactly some of the singers mumble in varied intonation and tones. Mabel then plays the song again and makes us sing and dance to it. In between classes, which can be any where between 3-6 hours a day, we have 1-2 coffee breaks. This consists of a pitcher of hot water for tea, hot coffee, and little Oreo-like cookies. While the first time it was nice, coffee breaks have become a scary thing as most of us don't want to leave Chile a couple pounds heavier. According to my host mom, however, all her girls go back home at least one pant size larger. Aghhh...
This brings me to a related point. Chileans eat a lot. I am feed so much everywhere I go. As Mabel and many other people I've met explain, Chileans show their love by feeding you. Besides the normal breakfast, lunch, and dinner, many people also do what is called "tomar once" (literally "take eleven"). This consists of tea, cookies, sandwiches, cakes, toast, and more wheat-based products. My host mom is constantly asking me if I'd like tea between 4 and 10 in the evening. This custom is thought to be influenced by the British and their concept of afternoon tea. But seriously, I've never had so much tea before in my life. Another very cultural thing here is to eat A LOT of bread. Chile is second in the world for highest bread consumption. Besides the numerous varieties that exist, bread is also very cheap. This makes it a popular staple, especially in the lower classes. I'm a Chilean bread expert now thanks to a presentation I gave in Spanish class.
March 8th was International Women's Day. It’s funny because I wouldn’t have even been aware of this if it hadn’t been for the various posters advertising celebratory events here in Santiago. The first time I had heard of the existence of such a day was in high school, and even then I don’t feel like I celebrated like I did here in Chile. It’s interesting how unknown this celebration is in the United States, besides the occasional elementary school class on Women’s History Month. That morning in Spanish class, we got a surprise visit from our directors Roberto and Rosanna. They kissed us on the check (in normal greeting custom), gave us each a rose, and wished us a happy “Dia de la Mujer.” Some of us were literally on the verge of tears, while others had the biggest smile on their faces. It is always nice to receive flowers, but that day it felt even more genuine and special. After class, all eleven of us decided to attend a march Rosanna had mentioned was occurring just near the university. As we walked to where we were told to go, all of the sudden we saw the mass of people walking along Avenida O’Higgins (a very long, central street). We just happened to enter right behind a group representing Amnesty International, but the march consisted of millions more humanitarian, political, and social activist organizations. The witty signs, chants, and loud drumming all made the experience more exciting as we marched in celebration but also protest. The Chilean woman stills faces many obstacles in what is still a very machista society. This is just one of many protests I hope to attend here, because there always seems to be something being organized.
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