Some days are better than others. Some days I wake with intentions on moving mountains, walking around like I'm a true Chilean, adventuring far past my comfort zone for the sake of a better Allison, and others -- I wake with an oddly uncomfortable feeling; a feeling one can only get from waking in a bed that isn't their own. Those days are the challenging days where I really just want Olive Garden, a Dr. Pepper, and for the Office to be on my Netflix (three things Chile doesn't have). Those are the days where I really want to talk to my mom in person or cuddle my dogs or just eat horrible, American, junk food. Those are the days where I don't want to speak Spanish before 8:00 AM or run down the street the catch a bus or commute 40 minutes to school. Those days are tough. But luckily, today wasn't one of those days.
I got a mass email over the weekend from a professor at my school looking to hone in her English and practice with native English speakers. Thinking it would be a good opportunity for me to squeeze in some Spanish practice as well, I made an appointment with her for today. I left the house a little late and though in Latin America, 5 - 10 minutes late is nothing to sweat, I didn't want to make her wait. Knowing I would be much later if I waited for a bus or a train, I treated myself to an Uber and off I went. The driver was instantly kind and warm, as most Chileans seem to be. He told me my Spanish was good and that he could understand me well. He asked me where I was from, what I was doing in Chile, and everyone is always surprised when I tell them I'm studying Spanish (Chilean Spanish is notoriously quick, casual, and filled with slang / profanities) but I'm always happy to tell them that I love Chile and its beautiful people. Just in time, he rolled up to my school and let me off at the front door, a sweet treat after using any sort of public transit combined with walking. I could see a sweet looking lady standing on the stairs, I instantly knew she was the person I was looking for. "Alleeson?" She asked, as I approached her. She greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and ushered me inside the building. After a shorter meeting than I had planned for with her, I went to the cafe inside my school where my friends and I often sit. I've come to know the cashiers well. I frequently request a "coca cola normal", to which they happily give me with a smile. Today, I felt extra adventurous and ordered a sandwich with yummy melted cheese, on top of shredded beef, tucked in a toasted bun. Not at all what I meant to order, but I'll surely order a barros locos again! While waiting, I saw a familiar face.
A few weeks ago I had a project to complete for my conversation class. My task was to ask 20 Chileans a series of questions about the minimum wage in Chile (a difficult topic to say the least). Chileans earning minimum wage make about $500 dollars a month, in a country that already has a higher cost of living than most Latin American countries. Three sweet girls had taken extra care to share with me some nuances about Chilean society and culture that further complicated the issue of minimum wage and passionately shared with me how they thought it could be better. Though I sadly can't remember all of their names, I did remember sweet Coni, whom I saw in the cafe this morning. She warmly greeted me, kissed me on the cheek like we'd known each other forever, and saw that I had Instagram open on my phone. I had been messaging with two other Chilean friends I met over the weekend. She told me if I needed anything or had any more questions that I could message her on Instagram and she's be happy to help. She also told me that her conversation with me about my project had made her day and that of her friends, which in turn, made mine! Coni grabbed her sandwich and bid me farewell, I grabbed mine too and had a seat in my favorite corner with the intentions of doing homework. But after talking to an American friend about the weekend, and then another, and then our Chilean friend Sebastian, my homework was put aside and talks of cultural nuances began, accompanied by talks of the Avengers (which is being released on Friday, to mine and Sebastian's excitement). He also likes to practice his English on me, but I always like when I can trip him up with an American expression he hasn't heard yet. Those are often the times that I get to explain in Spanish and sometimes, I just respond to his English questions with Spanish because, well, I can, and he understands (which is so exciting)!
As I walked to the train station today, I couldn't help but feel loved and welcome, and somewhat like a real Chilean. Since I arrived here, I've heard many times "Chileans son cariñoso", they're affectionate. In my experience, this is absolutely true. I'm so happy to be here.
A few weeks ago I had a project to complete for my conversation class. My task was to ask 20 Chileans a series of questions about the minimum wage in Chile (a difficult topic to say the least). Chileans earning minimum wage make about $500 dollars a month, in a country that already has a higher cost of living than most Latin American countries. Three sweet girls had taken extra care to share with me some nuances about Chilean society and culture that further complicated the issue of minimum wage and passionately shared with me how they thought it could be better. Though I sadly can't remember all of their names, I did remember sweet Coni, whom I saw in the cafe this morning. She warmly greeted me, kissed me on the cheek like we'd known each other forever, and saw that I had Instagram open on my phone. I had been messaging with two other Chilean friends I met over the weekend. She told me if I needed anything or had any more questions that I could message her on Instagram and she's be happy to help. She also told me that her conversation with me about my project had made her day and that of her friends, which in turn, made mine! Coni grabbed her sandwich and bid me farewell, I grabbed mine too and had a seat in my favorite corner with the intentions of doing homework. But after talking to an American friend about the weekend, and then another, and then our Chilean friend Sebastian, my homework was put aside and talks of cultural nuances began, accompanied by talks of the Avengers (which is being released on Friday, to mine and Sebastian's excitement). He also likes to practice his English on me, but I always like when I can trip him up with an American expression he hasn't heard yet. Those are often the times that I get to explain in Spanish and sometimes, I just respond to his English questions with Spanish because, well, I can, and he understands (which is so exciting)!
As I walked to the train station today, I couldn't help but feel loved and welcome, and somewhat like a real Chilean. Since I arrived here, I've heard many times "Chileans son cariñoso", they're affectionate. In my experience, this is absolutely true. I'm so happy to be here.