I consider myself a morning person. While I don't necessarily bound out of bed at sunrise, I usually arise without too much grumbling a little later. I should have known, therefore, that something was wrong when I felt incredibly lethargic Monday morning. Stupidly, I ignored my pounding head ache and went running near Parque O'Higgins anyways. By the time I returned home after one of the most miserable runs of my life, it was evident that I was pretty sick. I barely managed to shower before returning to the comfort of my bed for a twenty hour "nap."
Not too exciting. Actually, I was pretty miserable. However, it did provide some insight into the health system in Chile. As my symptoms clearly suggested some sort of virus, I chose not to go to the doctor against my host parents' advice. A trip simply seemed excessive; I was actually surprised that they even suggested it.
After further thought, however, I've realized that Chileans tend to seek medical advice for very minor ailments. Although we have only been in Chile for about two months, several Tufts-in-Chile students have visited doctors for seemingly mild diseases. Why? Could Chileans simply be more concerned with sickness and disease? Or, conversely, could their internationally-envied health system know as FONASA somehow encourage too many doctor visits?
By Tuesday, I was ready to return to classes and the academic week continued as expected with lots of classes and work, much of which I completed in the library at La Universidad Catolica Campus Oriente - AKA Hogwarts. Tisch just doesn't capture the magic of this castle and its stunning library facilities.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the academic week included various culinary discoveries. When trekking home through pouring rain on Wednesday, my companions and I searched for a cafe in which to grab a quick snack. Nothing, unfortunately, looked promising, so we eventually decided to stop at a somewhat uninviting barbeque spot. Consequently, we were pleasantly surprised when served some of the best pevre that we have eaten thus far in Chile. The meal itself didn't disappoint either. Similarly, the next day included some excellant treats when a Chilean friend invited me and another friend to his favorite bakery. Located only a few blocks from campus, it served some absolutely amazing cookies. As they say ALL THE TIME in Chile, "Que Rico!" (A phrase that applies to food, weather, and just about anything imaginable. Whenever confused, just say it since it's almost definately an appropriate response).
Friday, fortunately, signaled the start of another weekend of whirlwind touring and dancing. On Friday, a few friends and I ventured to the Comuna of Vitacura to visit El Museo de la Moda. Seeing such classic and stunning attire from throughout the twentieth century inspired us to follow the trip with a little shopping spree of our own in Patronato after recharging with an amazing lunch in the adjoining cafe.
Patronato, however, doesn't exactly boast the refined and elegant gowns highlighted in the museum. The neighborhood consists of several blocks overflowing with cheap and often tacky attire near the river. Among other things, it sells an extensive collection of spandex in amazing colors and prints. Shopping spree before returning to the US?
Exhausted, I eventually returned home. Before I collapsed in my bed, I attended my Chilean mother's birthday party, which lasted until after midnight. Not only did I have a few pieces of torta (Que rica!), but I realized I can finally understand my extended family. Okay. That's an exaggeration. I understand about half of it which is significantly more than the first day at the Baptism.
The next morning, I was up at sunrise once again for the Tufts-in-Chile whirlwind trip of the week called Litoral de los Poetas. We journeyed to Cartagena and Isla Negra to enjoy stunning, albeit stormy, ocean views and view the houses and tombs of several famous poets including Pablo Neruda, Vincente Huidobro, and Adolfe Cuove. It proved to be another interesting, wet, and tiring day.
After napping during the bus ride home, several of my friends and I somehow found the energy (AKA a couple HUGE cups of coffee) to watch the Chile v. Venezuela world cup qualifier soccer game. As previously noted, soccer is a very BIG deal in Chile and this game had big implications. A win meant a world cup birth in 2010; a loss, on the other hand, meant that Chile had to somehow defeat Brazil in order to earn a trip to South Africa. Given the strength of the Brazilian squad, the game was pretty much must win.
La Universidad Catolica, one of the two universities that we attend in Santiago, organized a giant viewing of the game of a big screen TV ala Tufts Election Night in the CC '08. Hundreds of people packed into the room to cheer on their team. While it would have been nice to find tickets to the actual game, it was definately an interesting experience to watch with lots of other students, even if it was significantly more sedate than I expected. Chile, widely considered the underdogs, ultimately tied Venezuela, so I'm not sure the ultimate world cup implications of the game.
Afterwards, dance party. Insanity. Pandemonium. Crazyness. I love how they only play a couple minutes of each song, so no one ever bores of the music. And if that somehow fails to keep everyone dancing until 4 in the morning, they also have occasional live acts interspersed throughout the show. Que rico!
Pictures from Cartagena and Isla Negra soon!
Ciao!
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