Its now almost September, been in Santiago for over 2 months and have learned more about the city and the countries social beliefs. When I first arrived I was enthralled with the city, everything was new and exciting, no matter where I went I would encounter something new to understand. In the more recent weeks the filter has dissolved and I've realized that this will be the place I will spend the next year of my life, like everything theres always the pro and con list, but I'm not going to bother writing that out. However, the one aspect of chilean life that I have recently discovered is their social belief-I'm living in my parents generation, or what I assume it would have been like. In regard to chilean history they have only recently accomplished a major social revolution, kicking out the militaristic dictatorship of Pinochet in the late 80's. So it makes sense that the santiaguinos (chilean name for people who live in Santiago) are still in their post-revolutionary stage. However, in comparison with the US social rights movement, which I know is impossible to compare because they're different countries in regards to their political, social, economic beliefs however I would have expected a more vocal activism from the population, especially the youth. I have some friends who go to my school but to a different campus (in chilean universities if you study medicine to become a doctor you will only be attending the science campus, like wise for history majors at the humanities campus and so forth-which keeps the university a bit segregated in terms of who you can meet on campus, and without a central area where all of the students can meet and interact) and have been tear-gassed by the carabineros (chilean law enforcement). However when I talk to other friends about politics or elections they simply say they don't vote because it won't change anything. This is unbelievable to me, a 19 who was born just after the end of a dictatorship, in the hope of a better place to live, and actualized by social protest, he doesn't feel the need to vote or understand that his actions can have an affect and create change if he would only realized what those have done before him. Now this could be a biased opinion considering on my campus at home its quite common to see people protesting against the way, rape of women, or the schools affiliation with nuclear weapons, however we're even skeptical of the results that will arise, but nonetheless we try. Like I've stated before I feel as though Santiago is a few decades behind, behind in their fashion, transportation, pollution control, and what I've recently realized their social beliefs. It's stated in posters all through out Santiago that less than 60% of the population don't respect the gay population, something around 75% don't respect the indigenous or poor populations-having grown up in California where yes there are those who don't respect minorities or the marginalized, for the most part Californians are pretty accepting and aware that a human being is a human being and that we all deserve common respect.
Likewise, if you try to tell a chilean something that's different from their country to that of your own they generally have a hard time believing it-food I have realized is a rather touchy subject and its best to leave undiscussed. I've been told several times as I'm making dinner at my new house that I'm making rice wrong from my landlord (dueño). I know he doesn't mean for it to come across that I'm doing it incorrectly, but at the same time I feel as though the way I should be cooking should be chilean, which is impossible because I grew up cooking in the states and its one of those customs thats so second nature I don't even think about what I'm doing (although it would be fun to pick up some chilean recipes, if I can find some foods I really dig on).
Anyway, these past three days have been SUNNY and warm in Santiago, the first time since I've been here-I forgot the joys of wearing just a tee-shirt, and walking around a city, everyone seems so much more approachable (there's a public act that's noticeable in the buses that promotes a Santiago that smile, where signs ask: Have you smiled today? or Don't forget to smile! to promote a happier population, or atleast happier looking, but with everyone dressed in black it has its challenges). Earlier in the month I was kinda bumming on Santiago, the city had lost is luster, I was falling into a routine I didn't really like, and felt that I could be doing a lot more than I was, but once the sun came out these past few days all of that angst has quickly been replaced with a new found rejuvenation for the city which is in perfect timing with Natalie, a friend from high school who I haven't seen in about 3 years coming to visit this weekend and my mom's visit next wednesday. I'm excited to play guide and show them around where I've been living the past few months, something totally different but still excited nonetheless.
Oh, and school...yea it's going. We just finished week 5, insane, and I have found out that my classes end the 17th of November, which means I have a four months summer! God I really can't wait to just backpack around Patagonia, find my way to Buenos Aires and Rio, hopefully the salt flats of Bolivia, and of course the beaches of Chile. But yes, school is good; I'm taking a Pablo Neruda & Gabriel Mistral class two famous Nobel winners who are influential in Chilean culture; a class on Latin American Politics, which is interesting but difficult at 8:30 in the morning when a man is spewing out information every minute; a mandatory class through my program about the social and political history of Chile which is interesting; and I found a way to take a modern class with some of the dance majors here. I have yet to go see the national company, who practices upstairs from the dance majors, rehears but one day I'll make it up there.
Alright, enough for now, pictures to come later-hope all is well!
Paz
