Well as someone told me, my life is not normal here. It's a little more crazy, highly memorable and in the end always funny. So buckle up ladies and gentlemen. The funny stories are about to roll like wheels on a bus.
It starts with the other day, in which I thought my Chilean host, Lorena, was asking to use my balsamic vinegar that I had brought back from Argentina. I thought she wanted to use it to cook with, so I gave it to her. She looked at the bottle for a moment, then at me. She seemed a tad confused and asked again for "balsamo" to which I said "Si" with assurance. I was a little too confident. Needless to say, I thought she wanted the balsamic or "balsamico" which is very similar to hair conditioner or "balsamo." Yep, I tried to give her balsamic vinegar for hair conditioner. If you didn't know it works wonders for the scalp. So embarrassing, but definitely funny after the fact.
Hopefully I haven't bored you to death, but if you are. You can join me for a nap on the bus ride home. It's a great place to snooze after you pulled an all-nighter to finish papers, projects and presentations. It was a rough night and a full day of classes. I tried so hard to keep my eyes open all day long, but I just couldn't help it at times. Finally the time came where I was able to head home to eat and sleep. I slept a little too soon. The consequence of falling asleep on the bus ride home was that I missed my bus stop. When I woke up I had no clue where I was in relation to my house. I tried to play it cool, thinking the bus would surely double-back at my stop, so I'd just wait patiently.
Little did I know, this was the last run for my bus driver. As we pulled into the bus depot, he asked me where I needed to go. After telling him that Miraflores was my stop and I missed it because I was sleeping, he couldn't stop the laughter. Thankfully there was another bus driver about to start his route, but I definitely had to make the walk of shame out of the bus and across the way to the new bus. Along the way, I received several whistles, laughs and cheers for my humiliating situation.
The jokes kept coming once I waited for the new bus driver to get the heck out of there, which I didn't even know where the heck out of there was. My new bus driver was laughing as well and asked if any of his buddies standing outside wanted to ride with the "gringa" or wanted my number. Let's just say I am infamous there now. So what usually is a 25-30 minute bus ride to get home, it took me a whopping one and a half hours. Not kidding you, when I got home and they opened the door I collapsed on the floor in relief and laughter. I was scared spit less when I woke up with no clue as to where I was, changed buses in the sketchiest of places and frustrated with an hour and half bus ride home, but I can laugh about it all now. Certainly funny after the fact.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Long time, no post.
Sorry, I am not good at the blogging thing unfortunately. I think I have a lot of ground to cover, but I will try and address it all little by little. Let's start with Fiestas Patrias which was a way, long time ago.
I have never eaten so many empanadas and grilled meat in my life! It was delicious and I had a blast with the whole family. We watched two great fireworks shows over the bay and enjoed time with the whole family. It started with Diego's school program where they danced the traditional dances of Chile. It was precious! On the actual day we went to the Botanical Gardens here with the entire family. We had 4 grills for all the meat and empanadas we could eat. We played traditional Chilean games, which are the same as in the states like 3-legged races, sack races and tug-of-war. I flew a kite for the first time in ages as well! Here are a few random sampling of pictures from the day.
This would be the men's sack race. I love it! There are the cheaters in the background pushing and shoving, and then Ariel, a cousin, taking the lead!
The little guys trying to do the three-legged-race.
Vicente, my cousin's son, in his precious "huaso" or Chilean cowboy outfit.
At the Botanical Gardens and people everywhere.
The tons of meat and grills we had.
Also to note there was a lot of Cueca, their national dance. Many people were wearing the traditional "country" or fockloric get-up for the celebrations, but even if you weren't everyone danced it practically. I did try my hand at the Cueca as well. It was quite hilarious and embarrassing, as I had no idea what my cousin was doing. He had no clue how to dance the Cueca making it harder for me. My uncle the second time round did know and it went a lot better. He joked that everyone had to dance with the "gringa" but thankfully that didn't happen.
Two days later we watched the Naval Review, which is a neat tradition where all of the naval fleets pass through the bay for inspection. Even the navy ships from other countries participated.
After all the festivities we rested and ate nothing. I couldn't even look at another piece of meat after everything was said and done. However, it was fun to experience their Independence day(s) here. They definitely went all out for their Bicentennial year and certainly know how to celebrate with the family. A good time had by all.
I have never eaten so many empanadas and grilled meat in my life! It was delicious and I had a blast with the whole family. We watched two great fireworks shows over the bay and enjoed time with the whole family. It started with Diego's school program where they danced the traditional dances of Chile. It was precious! On the actual day we went to the Botanical Gardens here with the entire family. We had 4 grills for all the meat and empanadas we could eat. We played traditional Chilean games, which are the same as in the states like 3-legged races, sack races and tug-of-war. I flew a kite for the first time in ages as well! Here are a few random sampling of pictures from the day.
This would be the men's sack race. I love it! There are the cheaters in the background pushing and shoving, and then Ariel, a cousin, taking the lead!
The little guys trying to do the three-legged-race.
Vicente, my cousin's son, in his precious "huaso" or Chilean cowboy outfit.
At the Botanical Gardens and people everywhere.
The tons of meat and grills we had.
Also to note there was a lot of Cueca, their national dance. Many people were wearing the traditional "country" or fockloric get-up for the celebrations, but even if you weren't everyone danced it practically. I did try my hand at the Cueca as well. It was quite hilarious and embarrassing, as I had no idea what my cousin was doing. He had no clue how to dance the Cueca making it harder for me. My uncle the second time round did know and it went a lot better. He joked that everyone had to dance with the "gringa" but thankfully that didn't happen.
Two days later we watched the Naval Review, which is a neat tradition where all of the naval fleets pass through the bay for inspection. Even the navy ships from other countries participated.
After all the festivities we rested and ate nothing. I couldn't even look at another piece of meat after everything was said and done. However, it was fun to experience their Independence day(s) here. They definitely went all out for their Bicentennial year and certainly know how to celebrate with the family. A good time had by all.
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