This, mis amigos, is just what the culture shock Dr. ordered!
I heard rumors that this one grocery store in town called Jumbo sometimes had Dr. Pepper. I conveniently needed to go there anyways this week and look what I found. You might be surprised to know that I did not take the entire stock but that is probably only because I had to find a way to get them home on public transportation with them in plastic grocery bags. I also was kind enough to leave some for my teammates and I think we left a few for those unknown other foreigners out there who might have been waiting for this new shipment to come in.
I had to stock up though because I am about to leave town and I do not expect to see DP anywhere in Conce. Now I get to practice self control. Luckily I am about to move so I left one out to drink for lunch one day and the rest are packed away for a rainy day.
That's right. I got 16 of them. They were sold individually.
Let me begin my story by telling you what I experienced and then I will tell you what I learned in the following days was actually happening. This is kind of a long story but I think it is interesting and a little exciting, so I would love for you to take the time to read it.
The other night I was heading home from another part of the city during rush hour. I had to change metro lines so I got off one train and started to make my way to the next platform which is about a 5 min walk in the underground. I noticed an unusual amount of security around and also that they were blocking off one of the exits to leave the station and go above ground. I didn't really think much of it and I went on my way.
As I was making my way through the crowds to my next platform I noticed an unusual amount of people coughing. Now it is fall and people are sick, but this was too many people to just be cold season. Then I began to feel a tickle in my throat. I thought it was really strange, but no one else around me seemed worried and they all just kept walking so I did too. As I followed my usual path people started coughing more and I could no longer ignore the now burning sensation in my throat that was moving to my nose and the strange smell. But again, besides coughing and covering their mouth's, no one seemed worried so I did not worry either. I thought to myself that maybe something happened with one of the trains because it smelled like something burning, like rubber maybe.
As I waited for the train the smell got worse and worse until my eyes started burning and I was hoping the train would come quickly. Other people's eyes were watering pretty badly but some of them were laughing. "Strange" I thought. While standing on the platform I made eye contact with a nice looking old man and he asked me if there was a fight above ground. I said I didn't know and I really was mainly thinking how proud I was that he would address me in Spanish and think I might know something. It was not until I got on the train that I thought "maybe there was a fight!"
I made my way home and was making dinner when I got a call from teammates Reid and Mer. They asked if I was home and if they could come over and they would explain what was going on. At this moment I heard it. There was an obviously big protest going on and they were marching down the street behind me, Reid and Mer's street, and it all clicked. A protest! I said of course they could come over. They had been outside on the street and were not wanting to try and make it to their building so they came to mine and waited it out. It did not take long for it to pass but as they were at my place we looked it up on the internet and sure enough, there were major protests happening all over the country and I had been right underneath it and didn't even know it!
Apparently there were 7000+ people at what is called Plaza Italia in Santiago, which is right above the metro stop I was at when I felt the burning. They were protesting the announcement that the president had just made to build 5 dams in the southern part of the country. From what I can tell, one side of the issue is that dams provide clean, hydroelectric power which is something this highly polluted and running low on power country needs. On the other side, dams have great ecological effects on their surrounding environment, not to mention the thousands of people's homes that would be flooded out to make the lakes. I am not taking sides, but these people at the protests were not happy. I could not understand all the chants but one of them is "Patagonia sin represas," which is what most of the signs say as well. This means Patagonia (the southern area of the country) without dams.
I am not sure how protests in Chile usually go but the police were ready for this one to get out of hand. They brought out their riot buses, had on their riot gear and began to spray the crowds with huge water trucks. When this was not enough, they threw tear gas into the crowds. This explains the burning in my throat, does it not?
I tried to find a good video to show you what happened. I do not think anyone was attempting to be too violent at first because they seem to just be chanting and waving signs and stuff, but with 7000 people in a small area, things can get out of hand fast. I guess this is why the spraying and tear gas began, to break up the crowds. Do not feel the need to watch the whole thing, but if you do, when they throw the tear gas and people run down some stairs and try to get down, that's me below there, in the metro.
It was quite an experience and really funny that I did not even know what was happening until after the fact, but it might not have been as funny if I had been above ground when all of that was happening. I asked my tutor how we are supposed to know these things are happening and he just said to watch the news. Maybe I'll do that when I have a real TV.
Well I am way behind on blogging and I don't really like going back but I did want to share about my first birthday in Chile. In April I turned 27! Can you believe that? I think I am officially into my late 20s and that is scary.
I was a little nervous about my birthday just being in a new culture and thinking that I would feel sad and homesick, but all of the people I love made sure I had a wonderful, sweet, special day and for that I am thankful. Here are all the great things that happened.
I received the bday package from my parents ON my actual birthday. It could not have been more perfect. It was delivered during my Spanish tutoring and I opened it after class. They gave me some nice gifts and some wonderful Easter treats. They also made a cute video of people from home saying happy birthday. It was so fun to watch.
Another sweet friend thought of me all the way in Abilene and had my teammates buy me flowers from her and give them to me. You are so thoughtful Laura. That surprise was wonderful.
I got more Facebook messages than I ever have before, I got to talk to my parents, my brother and s-law, the BFF and a few other loved ones. My teammates did a wonderful job throwing me a party. We had a yummy meal of sandwiches that I love, every chip and dip combo you can think of and the classic Deanna birthday cookie cake. We played games and continued our new birthday tradition of sharing what we love and appreciate about the birthday girl/boy.
I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to hear my church family at Falls Church sing Happy Birthday to me which was so special. They broadcast their service online on Wednesday nights and they always sing happy birthday to people. I got tipped off so I signed on and got to see all my wonderful people there singing to me. I loved it.
I also received some post-bday gifts from my sweet friend Kaylynn who sent me a very thoughtful package of things I greatly miss from the US. And recently I was given this beautiful scarf that has already done a good job of keeping me warm in this cool Chilean fall weather.
Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so sweet and wonderful. I felt special and did not feel too homesick. It was a great way to start my 27th year of life!
I have lived in Chile for 3 months now. That is a pretty big marker for us! In some ways it has flown by because I feel like I have accomplished so much in such a little time. In some ways though I feel like "really, its only been 3 months? It sure feels longer." Either way, this is an amazing country with wonderful people and I am enjoying getting into the culture and people's lives more and more.
The move to Concepcion will happen at the end of May/beginning of June so please be in prayer for that transition. It is exciting that we are so close to being in Conce but there is so much to get done, mainly finding a place to live. The Lord will provide.
This past weekend my team and I took a short vacation from language and cultural learning in Santiago, to visit the beautiful city of Mendoza, Argentina which is just across the Andes. We had a few days of fun and relaxation in a new city and a slightly different culture. I did a lot of walking around the city, saw some sites, did some shopping, and had a few adventures. The highlights include eating a lot of yummy food, taking a few tours, and zip lining through the Andes. It was a nice break from my daily life, an opportunity to refresh and recharge, and a good chance to have a lot of fun together. The Andes were amazing and I got a really good look at them when we rode a bus home through them. They are intense!
Enjoy a few pictures from the trip:
Beautiful Mendoza
Argentina is known for its steaks so I had to have one
It is also known for its leather so I had to buy my first pair of leather boots here. They will come in hand for the cold, wet weather in Concepcion. Sara got a leather purse.
Enjoying the moment of zip lining through the Andes- know I did scream a little but it was a blast
Don't we look hardcore with our helmets and harnesses. We have so much fun together.
I saw the president of Chile on Friday! I know a few months ago I joked about seeing President Obama when I really didn't but this time I really did. I saw Presidente Sebastian Piñera.
That's him. I think he is waving at me.
So here is the story. After class on Friday I headed to our local office supply store that is in Plaza de Armas which is the center plaza of the city where Santiago was founded. Located in this plaza is the post office and Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago.
As I was walking across the plaza I noticed some of the areas were roped off and there were large crowds of people standing around them looking across the roped off areas. Being the curious girl I am I went and joined the crowd to see what they were looking at. They were looking at the entrance to the church where a few people passed through security and entered the church.
When one lady appeared and headed towards the church all of these camera men rushed around her with cameras and microphones. The surrounded her for a few moments and then she was free. The lady in front of me yelled out her name and she turned around, smiled, waved and the crowd cheered. This happened a few more times with a few more people.
I paid attention to the people around me and what they were saying to figure out what was happening. I knew there must be some special mass occurring and some well known people were attending but I don't really know any well known Chileans so I didn't know if they were celebrities, athletes, government officials or what. My guess was government officials.
I was thinking about moving on when I heard someone in Spanish say, "no the president has not arrived yet." My ears perked up at this. The president! How exciting! I knew I had to stay. Not too much longer a car pulled up on the side of the church and sure enough, out stepped the president of Chile. He went to the crowed and kissed a baby and then walked towards the church. The crowed cheered for him and he waved at me and went inside. It was short and sweet but pretty cool!
I asked the lady next to me what was happening and she said she had no idea. I almost laughed. She didn't know either! I just had to find out though so I asked another group of ladies and they said they were not sure but that they think it was a memorial mass for a senator who had died a few years ago. That was sufficient for me. I did a little research when I got home and I think they were right. Either way, it was exciting and fun to be a part of something like that.
This is just zoomed in. You may recognize him if you watched the Chilean miners being rescued. He was there to greet all of them.
I love to laugh. I wish it could be my job, but my job is pretty cool too. I am a missionary joining in on what God is doing in Chile. I try my best to love God and love others.
That's right. I got 16 of them. They were sold individually.
Mmmm, first Dr. Pepper in months!
