CHILE!!

At last I arrived in Chile! Although the bus ride was hellish the end result was definitely “vale la pena” (worth it). It is hard to describe how comfortable I feel here. I love the fact that I walk down the street and I know exactly where I am and where to find certain things. I remember how hard it was to figure out the bus system, but now even after 3 years, I have no trouble. I arrived in Vina del Mar Thursday night and my Chilean parents from 3 years ago came and got me from the bus station. We went back to their house and we all had “once” and sat around catching up. (Chile doesn’t do dinner, they have a big lunch around 2 or 3 pm and then around 8 or 9 they have “once” (own-ce) which is always bread with avocado, jam, and sometimes eggs or tomatoes, with tea or coffee.) Snack time  I like snacks. It’s funny that I have been gone for 3 years and nothing has really changed.
Friday I met up with my Chilean friend, Nestor, and we went to downtown Vina, got fresh squeezed OJ, and then walked to the ocean just in time to see the sun set… it was so great. I miss living by the ocean, it’s one of nature’s televisions – I could watch it all day. Saturday I went to the “feria” with my Chilean sister, Daniella, and her 2 year old little girl, Anaia. I LOVE the feria, it is actually just a huge farmer’s market – but for some reason I get so excited going there! Everyone is selling pretty much the same stuff but they keep shouting at you that their stand has the best stuff and prices. Some prices for example are – avocados $1.50 for 2.2 lbs, $.50 for 5 lbs of potatoes, $.60 for 2.2lbs of plums, $1.50 for a great big juicy watermelon, and the wonderful list goes on and on. On 3 occasions now I have gotten to cut a watermelon in half and go at it with a spoon  I love having summer time in the winter time (if that makes sense). Saturday I went to THE ice cream shop by the beach and got my favorite flavor, “mil hojas” and then later we went to THE empanada shop and I got a shrimp and cheese one (melt in your mouth good).
It’s funny the little things I’ve missed. I miss taking the bus at night because the majority of them have black lights and have music playing (on going party on wheels… not sure if that’s a good thing though). I miss the smell of the ocean, the fruit vendors on every corner, the banana flavored milk boxes, and the people of course. I do not miss the dog packs however. It really freaks me out when there is 8 of them or so together and they are running a barking. They aren’t known to attack, but it is still scary.
I missed the 6.9 earthquake that happened in Vina on Thursday by hours. I was still in the bus coming over the Andes Mountains when it hit. Soon after it happened a tsunami alarm went off and there was a mad rush for the hills. Thankfully nothing happened, but it gave these poor people another great scare. Chile needs a break already! Since I have been here I have felt 3 tremors. One happened during the night and it must have been pretty strong if it woke me up because I sleep like the dead for most of the time. It is a weird feeling; it feels like the building is vibrating and the walls squeak. On Sunday night we were all eating once together and all of a sudden the lights went out. Luckily they were able to find candles and they had a battery powered radio. We found out that the entire country of Chile was without power! I’m not sure how exactly that happened, but it is pretty impressive if an entire country’s power goes out. It only lasted for an hour to an hour and a half – but I can’t imagine how Santiago was nor do I want to think about poor Conception, they have already been through so much.
Saturday night I met up with Nestor again and we went out in Valpo. It brought back a ton of memories! We went to my favorite tiny bar called Canario and I had the wonderful “vino con fruta” which is red wine that is blended with strawberries. This drink is so good but I learned in the past that it can be dangerous too… it is not just juice! After Canario around 1am or so we went to my favorite bar, Pegano! ( I think that means hell or something…. Odd I know) The REASON that this is my favorite bar is that while yes, it is a gay bar, they have AWESOME music, there is always a “show”, and nobody touches or bothers me. It’s great. That night was especially great because they always have a “diva” competition and that night was Madonna vs Lady GaGa!!! The two best divas! It was so funny… whenever a great song came on everyone would scream and start singing along. This one guy tried to teach me a cool dance move, but it was a lost cause… I just can’t move like that! The drag show was AWESOME. I don’t remember what songs they sang but Madonna, Lady GaGa…. Come on… all of them are great! I just don’t know how these “ladies” do it… they are skipping around on a bar wearing 8 inch platform shoes and they honestly look great doing it… I would break something for sure – if not my ankle, then all the bottles of booze as I fell off the bar! The show was complete with bubbles coming from the ceiling…. What straight bar can compete with that! SWEET night. Oh Diva Pagano… I will miss thee.
Sunday afternoon I went exploring in the hills of Valpo and found all of my favorite places without any difficulty at all. I had a coffee in my favorite café – “café con letras” – it is half an artsy bookstore and half a sweet coffee shop. It was cool to see all the graffiti art again… on every street I was like, Oh! I have that picture already! It’s funny how I even remember the precise place where my sister and I took a picture. Like I said… not much has changed. There are piles of rubble in certain places due to the earthquake – but thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be that much damage.
Today I visited the amazing ISA ladies who were part of the program that I came here with 3 years ago. It was so great to see them again! They are under a lot of stress due to the earthquake and all the parents calling every other minute. I feel so bad for them! I know my parents would probably be doing the same thing, but SHEESH! Some of the stories I’ve heard! They should just know that their children are in good hands. Two more days…. Bittersweet.