Why the time flies..

Greetings.... Work with me on this one people, for I am 'functioning' on maybe double digits of sleep in three nights. For why, you ask? The short answer is because I'm crazy (but you already knew that) but the more specific answer follows.... On Tuesday night I pushed my way through a crowded bar to meet friends to watch a playoff game in the Chilean national 'futbol' league. The contest was between the U de Catolica and Colo-Colo. Colo-Colo is one of the two most popular teams in Chile, second to the U de Chile. Colo-Colo won the game and advanced, thus I avoided lots of pissed off Chileans. Later at a different bar I found myself in a conversation with an interesting 40 something bachelor. At one point in the conversation I was trying to explain to he and his friend that I enjoy playing futbol and that I'm OK, but the game they play here is different than that which I have played my whole life. Here, when people have 'pickup' games, they play baby futbol (futbol on a smaller scale.) However, it is not usually played on grass (I have yet to play on grass here.) It is played in a gym, on a tile roller hockey court, cement parking lot, or dirt (I haven't played on dirt, unfortunately.) I will save you more boring details, but the point is, the game is really fast and in a small space. So, having really good touches on the ball is important, and dominates the game. I have always had success in futbol not because I have good ball control, but because I'm a good athlete. So, my advantages lie in playing on a large grass field where my fitness and speed can set me apart. Not the case so much in baby futbol. So, I explained that I play soso, but I'm better on a large field. Well, the friend contested that it doesn't matter the size of the field, and that ball control always rules. I disagreed. The guy I was originally talking to defended me. And as a token of something, he proceeded to take off the soccer jersey he happened to be wearing, and gave it to me. I couldn't believe it. But he was serious and the thing is currently lying on my floor with all the rest of the clothes I have worn this week. (Shocking, I know, but they haven't cleaned my room in a few days. hm) Anyway, the jersey is from the U de Concepcion professional team. In fact, the jersey is an original that was used by the player whose name adorns the jersey in a game or season. Pretty fricking awesome! The night concluded with some chatting back at the house until the wee hours of the morning, and then I got up and went to class at 8am.

The following night (Weds) me and a few of my roomies and a couple bottles of pisco got together to play a board game. It is a drinking game where you roll the dice, move your piece, and do what the thing tells you to do. Usually drink. Anyway, some of the spaces are to make a 'rule' for the game which lasts until another player lands on that same type of space. 'Rules' can be things such as: you can't say anyone's name, or you have to drink only with your right hand. If you violate, you drink. Well, a good way into the game, I landed on that space. And as a joke I said, 'No speaking in spanish.' I was not serious, but the boys wanted to do it. The following 20 minutes were some of my happiest here in Chile. These boys don't speak english nor any other language. However, they know a tiny bit of english. Basically it was just one big mess of 'you mine give turn fuck' 'you fuck fuck' 'I go 4 fuck gringo fuck you gringo ass hole son bitch fuck.' You get the point. From now on when ever they give me shit about the way I speak in spanish, I'm just going to laugh.

The following night (thurs) I expected to be much more relaxed and hoped for a little extra sleep. I chatted online with some gringo friends until about 2:30am, and when I left my room to fetch some water, I encountered a roommate and a buddy of his having some drinks in the study lounge. They insisted I have a beer. Well, 4 beers and 4 hours later I finally went to bed. But in the mean time we had an extremely interesting conversation about the military dictatorship of Pinochet in Chile and how crazy and fucked up a time that was. They told me that there is maybe a handful of people in the world that know exactly what went on during those times, but they proceeded to explain to me things that are basically common knowledge. Such as, if you said anything against the government, you were killed of put in jail. (There are thousands or people that 'disappeared' during that time, and there is no trace of them at all) If you were perceived to be a 'communist' you could be prohibited from doing your job. For example, my roommates friend told me that his mom whom worked for a university and was somewhat outspoken against the dictatorship was pulled from her job, and not allowed to work in her profession because she was a 'communist.'
The dictatorship was a product of the cold war is what they told me. The US pumped money into all of the campaigns against Allende, which failed and then there was the military coup... Read books to learn more.
We then talked about the very interesting political situation in the states right now. I tried to explain that this election is quite important in our histroy not only because our economy is all messed up and we are fighting a stupid ass war in vain, but also because it is likely we will have a black man or a woman as the next president. They did not realize we had yet to have a black man as president. (Finally foreigners that know less US history than I!) But even if they don't win, it is unprecedented to have a woman or a black man (let alone both at the same time) so close to winning the general election bid. Not to mention how uncommonly tight the race is, bringing little no name states such as Montana into the mix with some importance.

Despite my lack of sleep, this week has been what I came to Chile for; to learn, grow and share. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sleep until Sunday, the day I need to start studying for my three exams I have next week.

I hope you are all awesome and enjoying the spring.... Those in missoula, go play a round at Patty for me, would ya?

Paz!!!!!!

D