11/24/09

Happy Birthday Ryan Hutson!

: )

The swing of things...

Starting to get into the swing of things... Part of this process includes shedding my 90 year-old, anti-social hermit disguise, and forcing myself to have a good time every now and then. I've had a list of "Things to do when I'm not in school anymore" posted on my bulletin board at home for years. This same list is now posted on my closet door in Chile as a reminder that there are things I enjoy doing with my free time other than studying and working for free.

Let's be honest, I take life and myself way too seriously sometimes. Well, all of the time.

I have been stuck in this crazy frame of mind that says you can't have fun if you're busy setting goals and achieving them, because fun is distracting. This way of thinking also gave birth to my warped sense of what constitutes real life. I frequently talk about waiting for real life to start... as if what I'm doing right now isn't real life, simply because it's not a 9-to-5 job to support a family. However, I think I'm ready to accept the fact that every minute of the random path I've chosen has already been and will continue to be my version of real life. And moreover, I am kidding myself if I think I will ever be at a point in life where I'm not setting and achieving lofty goals or planning the next great adventure.

So, no more waiting to get back into things I love. Number 1 on the list... I'm going to start dancing again.

Santiago Runners Food for Thought

After months of thinking about meeting up with the Santiago Runners Club, I finally said "No more!" to the snooze button, got my butt out of bed early on Saturday morning, and did it. Let me tell you, it is the best social thing I've done since arriving in Chile. I miss running with a group. Team in Training and Tinley Track and Trail have been my go-to people the past 8 years of my 12 year running career. They are the reason I've achieved the status of "Crazy Runner." I think this new running group is going to help me keep my edge while out of the states, and hopefully help me improve so I can continue to kick butt once I'm home.

Aside from getting out to run, it was really nice to meet people on my own, whom are not associated with anything else I am doing here. They aren't people I work with, or friends of people I work with. They aren't other volunteers, interns, missioners, or people who receive services from any of the organizations I am involved with. They're just people who run. I love the volunteer world, but I really appreciate the break.

Victor, one of the Santiago Runners asked me what I think about Chile, Chilean culture etc... and what about living here is different from home. I couldn't think of anything to say, aside from the answer I didn't want to give, which is that most people seem rigid and unapproachable upon first (and sometimes repeated) encounter(s). This seems to be one of the only "cultural things" that pops into my head in response to a question like his.

The other reflective thought I had about this exchange was just that... I couldn't think of anything else to answer. And so it hit me... I think I've spent enough time here that I can't really say what I have at home that I go without here. (especially living in Santiago, which is just like living in any city in the USA) Aside from everyone speaking Spanish, and general cultural differences that I'm still getting accustomed to but don't really notice anymore, I can't really think of what is "different."

Weird.

Real Life Santiago

After reading an email from my mom this evening and realizing she isn't even sure of what I am up to these days, I think it's time for a "Real Life Santiago" update.

Right now, I am working with a public health organization called EPES (Educación Popular en Salud, which translates to Popular Education in Health). I wrote a little blurb about EPES back in October, outlining the basics as I knew them at the point, and posted a link to the website. I'll skip the reiteration of things I posted previously, and instead, give a rundown of what I've been up to in the past month, what's going on this week, and prospects for what may happen in the future.

The past month: I've spent a lot of time working on data bases (aka deciphering, fixing, adding and subtracting contact info) for various projects at EPES.

I attended the "Women, Health and Leadership" workshop for women living in the communities around EPES. This was an interesting opportunity to learn from the women what some of their community health concerns are and how their understanding of the social determinants of health can affect their ability to find feasible solutions for health related issues.

I have also been working with the health education team that is training rural health post paramedics in community organizing and assessment techniques. I have assisted with one of the 2-day workshops so far, and have been helping compile the information from the workshop into a formal document for review.

Right now: EPES is spearheading a smoking cessation project. We are holding a meeting next week to present the results of a survey that will summarize each presidential candidate's stand on current smoking policies and possible future changes. The meeting will also serve as the first attempt at forming a network of organizations working to provide smoking cessation resources.

This Wednesday, 11/25/09, there is a national mobilization to stop violence against women. EPES will be attending the rally, and we have spent the past few days making phone calls, dropping information off at health offices and passing out flyers to women in the markets and ferias. There is also an event being held this Saturday to present a mural in El Bosque supporting the end of violence against women.

Tomorrow morning, there is a meeting about the treatment and prevention of obesity and diabetes being held at EPES. Dr. Kuhn, from the CDC, will be present and will lead a major part of the dialogue session. Tomorrow evening, we are having "onces" with Karen's mother-in-law, a well-know human rights lawyer.

Future Prospects: The smoking cessation project will continue to provide opportunities for involvement, as will workshops with the health education team. I am hoping to get more involved with the violence against women projects. Karen has also asked us to assist with the international school being held January 3-14 in Santiago and Concepción. This will be a great way to learn more about EPES, its mission, work, and vision, as well as meet like-minded people from around the world.

There are probably a ton of things I'm forgetting, but this is most of what fills my days. Cheers to Real Life Santiago.

It's a long way back... from where you are...

It seems that finally settling into a routine here in Santiago has caused me to believe I have nothing interesting to write about. Somewhere in between feeling an urgency to get started with "real life" as it will be for the next year and finally starting it, I fell into the doldrums of the everyday. I suppose no matter where you're living or what you're doing, eventually it becomes the everyday. No one wants to read about the everyday! So, until I return to a state of poetic inspiration regarding the wonderful volunteer work we've started... I'll have to find other things to reflect on.

Today's effort to say "Screw you, doldrums!" is pointing me in the direction of last weekend's adventure across the border to Argentina. Aside from wanting to see as much of South America as possible while we're down here, we needed to address the upcoming 3 month anniversary of our love affair with Chile.

Upon entering the country back in August, Lia and I each became a lucky recipient of a three month tourist visa. To sidestep the formality of getting a more permanent visa, you simply have to leave the country before your 3 months are up. Upon reentry, you get a shiny, new stamp awarding you another 3 months as a visitor. What a great reason to go shake hands with our Argentinean neighbors! (Don't worry... no swine flu here. We use hand sanitizer.)

The six hour bus ride through the Andes was filled with stunning views... amazing mountain vistas, winding roads, fear-inducing switchbacks, a sad encounter with the aftermath of a head-on collision of two semi trucks, and a feeling of being just far enough away from civilization that if you were to start walking away from the highway, you might never make it back...

Mendoza has an incredibly laid back atmosphere. Tall trees line the streets, creating a beautiful canopy over sidewalk cafés and restaurants. The overlap of drum beats with folk music accompany you on your stroll through the feria de artesanías surrounding Plaza Independencia. The shady streets are surprisingly tranquil despite the constant buzz created by locals and travelers racing around with the day's events. Within a few blocks' walk, you'll happen upon bustling street markets, parks filled with children, and plazas adorned with beautiful spanish tile work, bubbling fountains and amazing floral landscapes.

Overall, the people of Mendoza have a much more relaxed demeanor than Chileans we've met. They seem to have more diversity in their physical appearance as well - a mix of light and dark skin, hair, and eyes versus the generally dark hair and dark eyes found in Chile. Clothing is much more casual and there are more travelers around than there are in Santiago. For the first time in months, we didn't stick out like the gringas that we are.

In rating our experience in Mendoza... we took into account the above mentioned factors, in addition to a few items we have found to be necessities to pass the time here. I'm going to work with a 5 star rating system for this, and will do the same in future posts.

1) French Fries - 3 stars

Sorry guys... this is one thing Chile has in the bag... best fries in the world can be found in Chillán, near the market.

2) Beer - 4 stars

Cheap liter bottles, great atmosphere to enjoy it in, lacking in variety... but I think America wins for having the most amazing amount of beer options in a single bar.

3) Pizza - 2.5 stars

Pizza in South America is subpar at best. But, hey, at least they have pizza.

4) Ice Cream - 5 stars

Gelato! See the picture below to understand my full enjoyment of Mendoza ice cream... what a lovely encounter with white chocolate and dulce de leche helado.

5) Coffee - 5 stars

There are sidewalk cafés everywhere in this city, and the coffee is enjoyable. We've gotten used to Nescafé instant coffee... which Chileans laughingly call "No es café." So, my standards may have dropped a little. But, I still give it 5 stars.

This gives Mendoza a rating of about a 4 on the 5 star scale. Taking into consideration the amazingly fun and relaxing time we had there, I say Mendoza wins the award for Best City I've Seen in South America So Far.

With that said... it's time to give my artistic brain parts a rest for the night. End scene.

...

I have no motivation to write. Hopefully this weekend's trip to Mendoza, Argentina will spark something. Every time I start to feel inspired... it's like someone comes and dumps a big bucket of water on my creativity fire. That's all for today.

Updated Address

If you would like my updated address, shoot me an email.

We live just beyond the two mid-rise apartment buildings in the foreground. The green space to the right, behind the tallest building in the foreground is Parque Bustamante, conveniently located at the end of our street.