Saturday, April 19, 2008
Dia de Pacos
I apologize for posting again so soon, i promise I won't make a habit of it. Yesterday, a roommate of mine took of for class only to return minutes later. He told me that there was a protest on campus and all classes were canceled. Furthermore, his face was white and eyes red because he got blasted by tear gas. I thus quickly grabbed my camera and we set off for the U. We arrived to see people basically destroying what they could. They then proceeded to move off campus toward the nearby main street. In rout, they but rocks and whatever they could to block off the road that runs along side of the U. However, before making it to the main street, the cops arrived with their armored vehicles. All of the protesters then receded. When the vehicles entered the parking lot, the protesters proceeded to throw rocks and ect at the vehicles. There was one small jeep looking vehicle that sprayed tear gas out the sides. There was also a very large tank type vehicle that had a large spraying gun on top that discharges tear gas. The third vehicle was an armoured bus carrying several cops. The exchange of rocks and tear gas lasted for some time before the cops decided to attack on foot. They ended up arresting only two people. See the pictures for a more vivid, well, picture.
All the while I was just watching taking photos. I was not scared because there was alot of people just watching. However, it was quite intense. I'm not exactly sure what they were protesting, but there have been several other protests this year, but with less action. What I'm told is that during this time of the year there are always protests for various reasons, usually against the government.
I was quite displeased by this protest. They did alot of damage to the U, and I'm not sure why. The protest was against the gov, not the U. Anyway, I was told that the protesters were not from our U, they were from other U's and the majority from high school. This kinda pissed me off that they used my U as there stage of destruction. But, these are just the things that happen in Chile and I may never fully understand them.
Later in the evening when I was going to bed, I was watching South Park on my computer. My battery was really low and was about to die at any moment. I then heard this high pitched ringing noise. I thought it was the fan or something in my computer because it was dieing. So I plugged it in, but the noise continued. I was confused. So I left my room for some water and the noise was louder. The noise led me outside of the house. There I found several roommates and other people from the neighborhood. The noise was a house alarm. What had happened was someone was robbing one of our neighbors houses, and when the alarm sounded, two of my roommates saw out there window what was happening. They then ran outside and detained the guy until the police got there. The robber ended up being a drunk university student being stupid.
Anyway, it was an entertaining day with lots of police. However, don't worry, I'm totally safe and was never in any danger. Nor have I ever been in any danger here ever. Seriously, mom, all is ok. I only wrote about this because it was notable, funny and entertaining!
Paz
D
All the while I was just watching taking photos. I was not scared because there was alot of people just watching. However, it was quite intense. I'm not exactly sure what they were protesting, but there have been several other protests this year, but with less action. What I'm told is that during this time of the year there are always protests for various reasons, usually against the government.
I was quite displeased by this protest. They did alot of damage to the U, and I'm not sure why. The protest was against the gov, not the U. Anyway, I was told that the protesters were not from our U, they were from other U's and the majority from high school. This kinda pissed me off that they used my U as there stage of destruction. But, these are just the things that happen in Chile and I may never fully understand them.
Later in the evening when I was going to bed, I was watching South Park on my computer. My battery was really low and was about to die at any moment. I then heard this high pitched ringing noise. I thought it was the fan or something in my computer because it was dieing. So I plugged it in, but the noise continued. I was confused. So I left my room for some water and the noise was louder. The noise led me outside of the house. There I found several roommates and other people from the neighborhood. The noise was a house alarm. What had happened was someone was robbing one of our neighbors houses, and when the alarm sounded, two of my roommates saw out there window what was happening. They then ran outside and detained the guy until the police got there. The robber ended up being a drunk university student being stupid.
Anyway, it was an entertaining day with lots of police. However, don't worry, I'm totally safe and was never in any danger. Nor have I ever been in any danger here ever. Seriously, mom, all is ok. I only wrote about this because it was notable, funny and entertaining!
Paz
D
Monday, April 14, 2008
Pensamientos y Observaciones
Greetings Gringos...
I have now been in Chile for two full months! I must say that the time has flown by. However, the sensation of pure vacation has left me. I am getting accustomed to life here and developing some sort of routine. The cultural differences, although ever present, are not so much of a burden. I tend to take things in stride, furthermore I came into this experience with an open mind knowing things would be different. At any rate some things catch me off guard and I need to make a conscious effort not to mind. The culture here is much more 'cariñoso' and the people tend to be 'closer.' As a result, sharing things is very common. I'm all about sharing, but food and drink I'm a bit squeamish about. However, to share a beer, an apple or whatever is totally normal. For example, I was walking down the street the other night, and I bumped into a group of people I know. Acquaintances. They were drinking beer out of cans, and immediately I was handed a beer. This was not a new unopened beer, this was a beer that someone was drinking. Before this beer was done, and another was opened, it had been drank by 3 maybe 4 people. A bit strange for me, especially when there was more beer. (note. this is not how they always drink, but its just an example of their ease of sharing.) I have also witnessed this with an apple, although i was not participating. The sorta quirky thing about it is not the actual act of sharing (sure I've shared like this in the states) its the attitude associated with it. They automatically just hand off the beer without being asked, or someone will just grab the beer from the other person, and they will freely give it to them without any fuss or saying anything. This is the phenomenon that is difficult for me. So, if I'm eating or drinking something on the go, and one of my friends wants some, they just kinda take it, but there intention is not to be rude, its just normal and expected that i would share with them. It would be awkward if, say, one person in the group was eating a sandwich and not sharing it. I know plenty of people in the states (including myself at times) that would say 'this is my sandwich, I want all of it, go find your own.'.......Tired of me SHARING this custom yet? yeah i thought so.
Another quirky thing is how these people react to cold, or i should say, mild to crisp temperatures. Its fucking hilarious. It is now fall, entering winter, so the temps are obviously dropping. However, its not that cold, it never snows here. We are close to the coast, so the temperature is regulated. Its like San Francisco for those who have been there. I haven't, but thats my comparison. Anyway, I was walking to class on Monday, it was sunny, i was wearing shorts and sandals and a zip-up sweater. Crisp, but not cold. I encountered one guy with hat and gloves. Several more were wearing scarves. And when i say wearing scarves, I mean that thing was covering their whole face. I only wear a scarf in that manner during the winter in Montana while I'm riding my bike, and then thats only sometimes. I seriously laughed out loud. I wonder what they were thinking about the gringo....
Despite their, umm, wimpishness is some areas, this does not apply to their ability to party. As I said before, it is UNCOMMON for a party to end before 4 or 5am. And if the party is any good, you are walking home in the light. This is a bit hard for me because its hard enough to pay attention to my professors while I'm NOT still drunk from the night before.. The parties are super fun, and everyone dances. Its normal. Unlike in the states where guys are wallflowers and women dance in groups. Everyone dances here. Its odd not to.
Perhaps the availability of liquor lends to this. For example, at the liquor store we frequent, they always have 'promos.' For the whole month of march one of the promos was a liter of Smirnoff Vodka and 1.5 liters of juice for 2,500 pesos, about $5. This promo has since gone up to about $6. There are others of course too, for instance, good Pisco, 2 liters of soda and ice for about $7. Its great.
Pisco is a liquor made from grapes. It comes in 30, 35, 40, 43, 45% alcohol (perhaps more). The higher the grade, the higher the quality. It has a distinct flavor which is quite good. (note. There is an on going controversy between Chile and Peru as to whom Pisco belongs to. The Peruvians claim that its their product and that Chile stole it from them. Chile claims that its theirs because they don't drink Pisco in Peru, and that the majority of all Pisco produced comes from Chile. My opinion is that my opinion depends on which country I'm in. I just drink the stuff and leave the fighting for the rest.) Furthermore, wine is also very cheep here because they produce so much of it. However, I don't drink it often. I stick to beer and pisco with an occasional vodka.
What about the language...? Despite frequent internal frustrations, its going remarkably well. I understand alot and can communicate most anything i want. However, I struggle with some pronunciation. Also, my vocab is still developing, so I often don't understand words. But, I can understand what people are saying the majority of the time. I have been told by several Chileans that I speak well, better than any other 'gringos' they have met. Whatever that means, probably that they don't know many gringos. I owe this all to living with Chileans. I am constantly hearing and using the language. I have a few English speaking friends whom live together, one from the US and a two from Germany. They always speak in English, for this reason there ability is significantly below mine. I must say though, I have come to appreciate English sooo much! Its priceless to be able to express yourself in exactly the way you want.
Well, hopefully that helped satisfy some of your curiosity cravings. I promise I will try to write more frequently! Ojala que todos de ustedes esten bien y que se vayan bien tambien. Besitos desde Chile, Chao!
I have now been in Chile for two full months! I must say that the time has flown by. However, the sensation of pure vacation has left me. I am getting accustomed to life here and developing some sort of routine. The cultural differences, although ever present, are not so much of a burden. I tend to take things in stride, furthermore I came into this experience with an open mind knowing things would be different. At any rate some things catch me off guard and I need to make a conscious effort not to mind. The culture here is much more 'cariñoso' and the people tend to be 'closer.' As a result, sharing things is very common. I'm all about sharing, but food and drink I'm a bit squeamish about. However, to share a beer, an apple or whatever is totally normal. For example, I was walking down the street the other night, and I bumped into a group of people I know. Acquaintances. They were drinking beer out of cans, and immediately I was handed a beer. This was not a new unopened beer, this was a beer that someone was drinking. Before this beer was done, and another was opened, it had been drank by 3 maybe 4 people. A bit strange for me, especially when there was more beer. (note. this is not how they always drink, but its just an example of their ease of sharing.) I have also witnessed this with an apple, although i was not participating. The sorta quirky thing about it is not the actual act of sharing (sure I've shared like this in the states) its the attitude associated with it. They automatically just hand off the beer without being asked, or someone will just grab the beer from the other person, and they will freely give it to them without any fuss or saying anything. This is the phenomenon that is difficult for me. So, if I'm eating or drinking something on the go, and one of my friends wants some, they just kinda take it, but there intention is not to be rude, its just normal and expected that i would share with them. It would be awkward if, say, one person in the group was eating a sandwich and not sharing it. I know plenty of people in the states (including myself at times) that would say 'this is my sandwich, I want all of it, go find your own.'.......Tired of me SHARING this custom yet? yeah i thought so.
Another quirky thing is how these people react to cold, or i should say, mild to crisp temperatures. Its fucking hilarious. It is now fall, entering winter, so the temps are obviously dropping. However, its not that cold, it never snows here. We are close to the coast, so the temperature is regulated. Its like San Francisco for those who have been there. I haven't, but thats my comparison. Anyway, I was walking to class on Monday, it was sunny, i was wearing shorts and sandals and a zip-up sweater. Crisp, but not cold. I encountered one guy with hat and gloves. Several more were wearing scarves. And when i say wearing scarves, I mean that thing was covering their whole face. I only wear a scarf in that manner during the winter in Montana while I'm riding my bike, and then thats only sometimes. I seriously laughed out loud. I wonder what they were thinking about the gringo....
Despite their, umm, wimpishness is some areas, this does not apply to their ability to party. As I said before, it is UNCOMMON for a party to end before 4 or 5am. And if the party is any good, you are walking home in the light. This is a bit hard for me because its hard enough to pay attention to my professors while I'm NOT still drunk from the night before.. The parties are super fun, and everyone dances. Its normal. Unlike in the states where guys are wallflowers and women dance in groups. Everyone dances here. Its odd not to.
Perhaps the availability of liquor lends to this. For example, at the liquor store we frequent, they always have 'promos.' For the whole month of march one of the promos was a liter of Smirnoff Vodka and 1.5 liters of juice for 2,500 pesos, about $5. This promo has since gone up to about $6. There are others of course too, for instance, good Pisco, 2 liters of soda and ice for about $7. Its great.
Pisco is a liquor made from grapes. It comes in 30, 35, 40, 43, 45% alcohol (perhaps more). The higher the grade, the higher the quality. It has a distinct flavor which is quite good. (note. There is an on going controversy between Chile and Peru as to whom Pisco belongs to. The Peruvians claim that its their product and that Chile stole it from them. Chile claims that its theirs because they don't drink Pisco in Peru, and that the majority of all Pisco produced comes from Chile. My opinion is that my opinion depends on which country I'm in. I just drink the stuff and leave the fighting for the rest.) Furthermore, wine is also very cheep here because they produce so much of it. However, I don't drink it often. I stick to beer and pisco with an occasional vodka.
What about the language...? Despite frequent internal frustrations, its going remarkably well. I understand alot and can communicate most anything i want. However, I struggle with some pronunciation. Also, my vocab is still developing, so I often don't understand words. But, I can understand what people are saying the majority of the time. I have been told by several Chileans that I speak well, better than any other 'gringos' they have met. Whatever that means, probably that they don't know many gringos. I owe this all to living with Chileans. I am constantly hearing and using the language. I have a few English speaking friends whom live together, one from the US and a two from Germany. They always speak in English, for this reason there ability is significantly below mine. I must say though, I have come to appreciate English sooo much! Its priceless to be able to express yourself in exactly the way you want.
Well, hopefully that helped satisfy some of your curiosity cravings. I promise I will try to write more frequently! Ojala que todos de ustedes esten bien y que se vayan bien tambien. Besitos desde Chile, Chao!
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