Little moments today… where I was exactly right where I was.
This morning around 8:30am:
Gretch and I began our (almost) daily hour long trek across the city to EPES. This requires us to hop (which is a term I use very loosely, considering most of the time its more like- take a deep breath, squeeze on and try to avoid as much contact as possible) on the Green metro line, which is only a short walk from our apartment. A few stops later, we then switch to the Yellow line, which we take all the way to its final stop, La Cisterna. Once at La Cisterna, which a huge maze of a hub, we find our way out to La Gran Avenida, where we are able to catch a bus (I am not intending to make that sound so easy, but it is getting better). A 10 minute bus ride takes us to our final destination, Paradero 30, which is only a short walk to EPES. And, after about an hour of all this, we arrive! I do enjoy this morning travel, and though it may not seem like it, it can be a good opportunity to do some reading.
Had someone told me before I came here that I would have to take two metros and a bus just to get to work, I probably would have run off scarred. But I really do love public transportation and its nice when Chileans ask about certain stops or directions, and I am able to answer.
This morning, around 11am:
Gretch, Kimberly (an intern at EPES from the US) and I joined a group of women in Barrio San Bernardo, a neighborhood south of El Bosque, where EPES is located. We accompanied them to the local market where we spread awareness about violence against women and informed them about a National March that is happening next Wednesday. Though I would say we were very successful in our purpose for going there, we passed out many flyers and posters, it was still amazing how many of the women did simply blow us off. I am sure the same thing could happen to any other group, spreading awareness about any other subject, in any other country, but it was frustrating to witness. Do they not want to see change in their own country, in their own communities? The machismo culture is so alive here, it is present in every aspect of society! Do they not want to see that change!?
I am really looking forward to the march next week! It will be great to see women out on the street fighting for the rights they have as citizens, as persons, as women.
Around 4pm:
I sent out about 100 emails to different organizations and individuals, inviting them to attend a meeting on smoking cessation. This was quite the task, and although it was a little frustrating at first, it did end up going pretty smoothly. While I was working on this, Terri, the secretary, stayed in the office and we had a nice conversation.
Many people have asked about my Spanish and how communication is going. I have found that I can have a conversation about almost anything. It definitely is getting better and better. Of course, there are times where I can’t say things the way I want to say them and sometimes I am simply unable to express myself, but there is always another way to say it, even if that means stuttering, butchering pronunciation and using words in the wrong context. If this happens, and without much success, they will just blankly look at me and I will continue, in my round about way, to explain my thoughts. Eventually, the point is made and everyone carries on just fine. But, Chilean Spanish is very difficult, so I am okay with taking longer than hoped to communicate smoothly and with confidence.
About three hours ago:
I started a load of laundry; why is it that laundry can get out of control so easily? I need to get better about doing it more often. Plus, since Gretch and I seem to be encountering more and more of our little friends, “las cucarachas,” I really do not want to continue to have a full hamper all the time (especially because I keep it in my closet). That would be my luck, to dive into my dirty clothes only to discover they have become infested with creepy-crawly critters. Where is the Raid, again?
About an hour ago:
Sat down to my desk. Sent a couple of e-mails, wrote on a couple of friends’ Facebook walls, and decided to start blogging (took a minute to find some inspiration). All the while, I indulged in way too much candy (thank you Aunt Mary for contributing to my bad junk food eating habits ;-) Happy Halloween, I guess hehe).
Right now:
My tummy aches. Note to self: just because you have an entire bag of candy, does not mean that you have to eat it all.
My ankle hurts. From yesterday. Note to self: do not try to read while walking along the sidewalk. Doing this makes you miss the curb, roll your ankle and nearly fall on your face. Good thing Gretch was with me so I could just laugh it off, it was pretty hilarious. I just hope I won’t not be running for too long.
Right here, right now. In this moment. What is on my mind? Friends and family, of course. I miss you, all of you. If you are reading this, I miss you. If you are not reading this, I miss you, too. I just want you to know that. I miss home, sometimes a lot. But I am happy, very happy.
I am also thinking of our wistful, although not completely without purpose, weekend trip to Mendoza, Ar (visa issues were the main reason for the visit to our neighboring country, but I can’t say we did not have ulterior desires) Oh, what a good weekend we had there! It was wonderful! The city is so peaceful and has a very “laid back” feel which you can sense right when you get off the bus. All of the streets are lined with beautiful, old trees, which provide refreshing shade while walking along the sidewalks or sitting at one of the many street cafes and restaurants. The city also has many different plazas and parks, each with their own touch of uniqueness and charm. The neighborhoods were quiet and had very beautiful homes, but at the same time, it was easy to fall upon bustling activity which offered calmness, without the sense of disconnectedness. As we strolled along in the warm sun, I thought to myself, this would be a nice place to live one day, permanently. But, our stay was only for the weekend, which we spent it in Hostel Independencia.
I had never experienced the hostel setting before and I really enjoyed it. The thought of staying in a room with 9 other people, complete strangers, was a bit “strange” for at me at first, but it wasn’t an unpleasant experience at all. There were actually several pros: meeting people from different parts of the world and hanging out with a few locals, sharing interesting conversation with a few interesting characters and saving some money, which is always a good thing, especially considering our tight budget. Note: A big thank you to Aunt Debbie for Lonely Planet: South America, it was how we discovered Hostel Independencia and many other things; it will continue to be our guide in our future travels! Our sacred text of travel…
Staying in the hostel has been on my mind mostly because of a picture that was painted on the wall. It said, “In this moment you are exactly right here.” I am sure we can all recognize the truth that speaks. We are only right where we are, so let us enjoy it. Treasure it. Love it.
A second, A minute, An hour, or 10 years from now….
Obviously I can’t go beyond the right now. All I can say, I will be exactly right where I will be….
…as will you….
