With time, I grow to like Santiago more and more.
When I woke up this morning after a rainy night, the cordillera of the Andes was blanketed with snow and the mountaintops were bright and clearly visible from my casa chilena. Despite my 8-AM-wake-up-call, despite my growing frustration with my seemingly endless commute, despite my weariness of the Spanish language, despite missing the familiarity and ease with which I am used to navigating the States, despite all of that, the Andes reassured me that all is not lost.
I thought I was so above the idea of culture shock, I thought I had this down, but I was overconfident. I've definitely been up and down in the week that I've been here, sometimes exhilarated by the newness of it all, sometimes exhausted by it, sometimes ready to take a year off and move to Latin America, sometimes ready to hop a flight back to the States right now. But being surrounded by the beautiful Andes is a constant, and it's the constant that's keeping me sane.
Today we visited one of Pablo Neruda's houses in Barrio Bella Vista, a neat, funkier part of Santiago. Afterwards we wandered for a bit through the artisan markets and cafes, finding ourselves in front of one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen. Just as the sun was dipping below the frosty tips of the Andes, the sky a bright orange and pink, I realized that I can really come to love Santiago. It might take me more time than I had anticipated, but it will come...
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3 comments:
Going from a third world country like Guatemala and Honduras to a modernized metropolis like Santiago is a huge difference. One is populated by indigenous peoples who are still very much in touch with their cultural heritages and traditions. The other is a polygot of cultures that blend into a more homogenous whole. The latter takes more time and understanding- to see the cultural oddities and differences that are present in Sanitago- it is not as easily presented as it is in Guate. You are going to have to seek it out and be more patient. But stumbling upon a fascinating neighborhood is just as exciting as trekking to an Andean village. And- remember what is just outside the confines of the city- a whole unexplored country.
You have seen a part of latino culture from the bottom up. Now view it from the top down to see what the differentiators are.
xxoo Mom-
I love your mother.
Yeah wow. Thanks, Jody's mom! The rest of us might take your advice as well.
Jody, I feel you on thinking you were over culture shock. Ive been experiencing a similar rude awakening.
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