Paro (Strike, in Spanish)

It´s difficult to put into such few words everything that has happened here so far. It often takes only seconds to make first impressions, and then one sometimes feels that the rest of the time is spent either trying to confrom to those impressions or to defy them.

The school has been an interesting experience thus far. After completing the ´observation´period, i was finally given my own classes and classroom - let´s just pretend my class has enough desks for each student. I have two 4th years, one 3rd, two 2nd and two 1st classes, all with varying ability and desire for english. One 1st class was removed from my schedule due to the fact that as i was teaching kids were swearing at me in english and spanish (yes i do understand that stuff now), yelling obsenities at one another, throwing things, leaving class, on their cellphones and mp3s, and simply a general disregard for anyone but themselves. My co-teacher, Pamela, decided that they were not worth it for me - bless her! Not all my students are like those ones though. My favourite class so far, 4C, has hardworking students who love to have fun in the classroom. Conversations of music and sports are usually the basis, but it is clear that english related to their interests is what will motivate them to learn. I too have also now become an avid soccer (i will forever call it soccer) fan and watch whenever possible! Although i say much about teaching, my time in the classroom has been cut short as of date. After a lovely illness kept me from school last Thursday, i have been feeling worlds better, yet have not returned to class as the teachers have been on strike for this entire week - for the second time since my arrival. The education system throughout Chile is ... lacking, in a few areas. Vianna and Kelsey´s schools have been kept in relative order this week, but fellow volunteers and friends, Steph and Colin, have had a week of vacation along with me. Rumours say that we might have to work through our supposed winter vacation, but let´s just hope that remains a rumour, as San Pedro sandboarding calls my name loudly and frequently.

As school is not an option at the moment, my home is becoming a much more familiar place. Kahel, Cameron and Stacy are now frequenting my room as much as I am, but it is hard to tell them to leave for they are rather cute, and i lack the vocabularly to tell them nicely.

(Stacy and Kahel playing with Disney cards.. how fun!!)

Alexis and Alejandra continue to make me feel like their house is my own, including the revolving door for visitors, which primarily include missionaries from their church. Religion remains a nightly conversation for me. Through all of this though, I have learned much of the Mormon religion including interesting things such as why they are not allowed to drink coffee or tea because of caffeine, yet coca-cola frequents the house just as the stray dogs frequent the streets - oh yeah, those lovely beasts gave me fleas, that sucked, but they´re gone now. Nightly conversations touch on religion, food, race, culture, and beliefs of every sort. The bluntness of this culture will forever astound me as 9 years old are blatantly talked about as ´the fat kid´ as they delve deeper into the common meals of white bread, sugar, salt, oil, and butter. Oh yeah, we cannot forget about the ´milk fat candies´ I found in my house the other day. However, I do generalize, the food is great, just different. Kelsey´s house and family is like a second home for me here, calling me not by name but by ´hija´, or their new favourite, Lumpy.

Weekends generally are spent as a clan. Kelsey, Vianna, Steph and I have had some adventures here so far, mainly alongside Kelsey´s sisters and their every-loving, fun-seeking friend Priscilla. We´ve done the boat tour of the Coquimbo harbour to see the sea lions. Last weekend took us to our second night óut´thus far in Chile.. yeah, we party hard. The Spanish Karaoke almost puts our ´Blondie´experience in Santiago to shame. This Lovely gentleman was dancing for us at the Karaoke bar. How Lucky!

Saturday i faced one of my biggest fears. The circus. Oh how i hate clowns. I´m not entirely sure whose idea it was, but we all agreed, and ended up at the dingiest, dirtiest, horrorshow ever. Some family run circus with clown-esque things will haunt my dreams forever. Try everything once, right??? Following the lovely time we had at the circus, we head for the soccer game - La Serena vs Universidad de Chile. The game was amazing to watch and numbingly cold, but the U fans and constant cheering (despite the 3-1 loss) made it all worthwhile. As Sunday was father´s day, Kelsey´s family took us to a Campo (somewhat like a public camping ground) where we had a beautiful day in the Valley with blue skies and more food than i could congure in a dream.

Beautiful sunset at the Campo on Father´s Day.

I now await the fate of my school, and further adventure.
Hope you all are well, wherever you may be.
Love,

Lump.