Channel the Yoda

Saturday, September 3, 2011

"HOODLUMS and HEADLESS STATUES" Chile Journals Tues-Dec.16th

TUESDAY
I walked around the cemetery in Valparaiso today. Alone! It’s so old and beautiful. On the top of a hill. Old tombs. Families live together forever or at least their bodies do…

Beautiful but WTF is up with all the headless statues? Apparently no matter the country; kids, hoodlums, whoever still feel the need to kick a head off.

DECEMBER 15TH
Today, I feel old. I’m not old but I am not 21 either.

Last night we drank. Oh did we drink! Beer. Amaretto Sours…MY FAVORITE and it was good, until, tequila. 3 shots, closely in a row, and I remember some intense discussion—not even sure what it was about—wait, Progressive Movement? I wonder what I was saying? Was I winning the discussion? I don’t know anything about the Progressive Movement!


Anyway, I suddenly stood up, cleared off the nearest comfy silla and curled up. And eventually wobbled and weaved down the stairs and crashed in my bed.


I know I threw up at some point and passed out. Splat—end of night.

DECEMBER 16TH
We leave for the South of Chile’ today.


It’s an impromptu trip in a way—no plans of where to stay or where to go. Apparently the bussing system makes it easy. I don’t know I’ve never done this before. I’m not even sure where we are going.


My roommate and new travel friend K throw around names but I don’t remember them. It’s a jumble of Spanish and I admittedly feel overwhelmed.

LATER
They broke in—or tried to break in to our apartment. We came home from buying our bus tickets to find the metal door covering ripped open and a piece of waded up cardboard shoved into our 2nd door with crowbar marks etched into the door and door wall.

My passport and all my money were in the apartment.


We are packing up everything. One suitcase goes to the South of Chile (Sur) and everything else worth money or meaning is being shoved into leftover suitcases and given to our friend R for safe keeping while we are gone.


The rest they can steal for all I care.


R showed up. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her. It would’ve been nice to talk to her.


My roommate is shaken up. He needed a hug. I don’t want to be touched.


Whatever. Time to go to the South.

LATER
It’s a 9 hour bus ride from Santiago to Puerto Vares. K’s friend is picking us up from the bus station and is letting us stay at his cabin for free in Rio Sur. I don’t know him but K assures he is nice.


It’s nice to be on the bus. There are around 20 people. The curtains are closed and all that is heard is the purr of the road. There is an attendant—a cute attendant but I’m pretty sure he’s around 18.

They said that we get a supper since it’s an overnight bus. He gave me the package and inside was a large crunchy cookie, a fruit cup and a two SPRIM juice boxes. SPRIM…haha.


K and my roommate are sprawled out ahead of me. The seats are huge. It’s comfortable. It’s safe here.

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