Ditch the B--! Chile Journals Dec 8-10th

December 8TH (Continued)

HOT WATER! We have to buy a gas cannister from these trucks that drive up and down the hills. Then we hook the gas to the hose downstairs. Then we go upstairs and turn on the pilot light and push this button until it lights up. And poof, HOT WATER!

Today felt more normal. More and more like a home.

DECEMBER 9TH

Today I climbed the HOP 3 times! Once drunk mind you.

My friend took me out to supper. It was so freaking nice to go out at night.

One thing about Valparaiso is that it’s not safe after dark, especially for a white girl. At first it didn’t bother me. But by the 3rd night I started to really get irritated. I was even having dreams about “I Am Legend” where they are waiting outside my door every night.


This wasn’t what I had expected… and since I just got away from feeling trapped in the states I do not appreciate feeling it again and so soon! I would’ve gone out by myself anyway but so many people had warned me not too and I promised my family that I would be safe or at least not intentionally put my life in jeopardy.


Oh! We have a gas leak. I did not realize this, at all. My roommate came home to find the whole apartment reeking of rotten eggs. Apparently I spent the night breathing in gas and honestly I felt fine. No headache. I’m a champ. Sylvia Plath look out!

Anyway when we got back from supper I took out my crotchet hook and my roommate his book and like an old married couple we ignored each other. Me at the table, him by the open window. Suddenly, he slams the book shut and crouches out the window. He yells for me to come over!

He hears English!


I dropped my hook and ran over to the window. Sure enough! English! There were people speaking English! I proudly admit that we eavesdropped on them all night long! It was great. Like television. Oh, cause we have no television.

At one point I wanted to fly a paper airplane down on their heads with “Hi” written on it.

I hear the dogs howl every night. Some times just painful screams—barking for food or over territories. One dog gives a high pitched whine—he’s either lost his food or a limb.

DECEMBER 10, 2009

I gazed at Valparaiso from the streets up high—standing on some crumbled stairs. There are cobblestone and dirt streets, steep ceros, crazy winding roads, collectivo’s whizzing up, down and all around, and I saw an old man sitting on a lawn chair on the sidewalk watching the world pass by. I smiled. He did too.


I watched where the ocean does meet the sky. And yes Rod Stewart, I’ll be sailing. Some day.


Gloomy sort of day but I find it beautiful and calming. Not every day should be sunny.

I really do wonder what the heck I am doing here… breathe.

We will see what happens. Come what may—but no more “I am Legend” BS. I mean, if I’m that afraid, go back to the States.

P.S.
Grocery shopping is hard… I can only carry 3 bags up the HOP without having a heart attack and that includes water, soda or milk… plus something is missing at the grocery store—actually maybe lots of things.

I can’t put my finger on it… the trail mix bars do taste funny—either they are stale soggy or overly crispy with no flavor.

The milk comes in a sealed, cardboard box that can last for over 2 years if unopened—BUT IT’S NOT DRIED OR POWDERED! It’s liquid.

I don’t get it, but I try not to ask questions cause no one understands what the F I’m saying anyway and even if they did, they would respond in Chilean Spanish and I would feel that awful sinking sensation of complete confusion and not understanding WTF IS GOING ON!

That’s my new thing—WTF! Since I’ve been saying it a lot, I thought it best to take the shortened route.

I can’t understand Chilean Spanish. Am I that stupid?