Today we had to take the Metro to school, like real chileans. It was fun, exciting and even thrilling at times. I shan't soon forget they way my heart pitter-pattered as I realized the woman seated to my left was indeed holding a (live, mind you) puppy in a plastic shopping bag. I couldn't help watching it doze to sleep. I'm sure it was easy to do, as the metro was roughly 97 million degrees. In fact, I'm not even sure if that puppy was as much dozing off, as he was passing out from heat-stroke.
My pal Katelyn and I had been warned previously of the 'high traffic hours' on the metro, but this was more than I could ever have imagined. Picture this-me and Katelyn, the easily 5'11" blond bombshell packed into a normally spacious passageway with little room to breathe let alone move. Everyone around us is coming from work, the market, or perhaps even at work *ahem*. We were packed tighter than Victoria's Secret's dressing rooms on the first day of the 'semi annual sale. I believe at one point I looked down and realized that there was a little boy squished between me and the wall. At that point I asked myself, was this what it was like in the last minutes of Pompeii?
In truth, it was a fun ride in and out of the city, and has already proved itself to be a promising people-watching venue. I couldn't help but giggle at the mullets that seem to be taking the city by storm. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the she-mullet to the businessman mullet that is cleverly tied back so as to avoid any of the "party in the back" to get in the way of their power-lunching. I believe Katelyn spotted a mullet that was normal in the front, and then braided in the back. It was sweet.
I really am learning stuff while I'm here, I promise. In fact today we visited La Moneda, the site of the infamous coup d'etat on September 11, 1973. The presidential palace has since been skillfully restored. It stands on the other side of Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins, a beautifully manicured lawn and peaceful looking place, it makes it hard to believe it had been so violently stormed with bombs and bullets.
In other news, my host mom has made something that isn't beef for dinner: lasagna tonight with white sauce,red sauce and ground beef. I was lying. I've never eaten so much beef in my life. I bet I'll be a champ at donating blood when I return. I won't even have to take the blood protein test. They'll be able to see it in my eyes. Of course by then, it is quite possible that my circulatory system will have turned solid.
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5 comments:
I think I will name my child Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins. But only if it's a boy. That would be a silly name for a girl!
Sometimes when I'm done reading your blog I like to click the 'Next Blog' button and see what comes up. It's great fun. I saw one today that was all in Espanol, and another one (in English, regrettably) that detailed the mysterious properties of the number 7, as laid out by the Bible and other teachings of Jesus. The beauty is that it's different every time!
Can you tell I have a paper due tomorrow? Ha ha.
woah.
dood, i feel like i was there.
if i gift you a homelessman puppy will you let me get a brullet, a braided-mullet?? pleeease???
Is it only coincidence that a squirrel-lover such as yourself be so taken with and underground transit system? I think not!! In most big cities there are plenty of nuts to be found down there! Go get 'em!
Your stories of being 'chilled out' by the lack of heat remind me alot of my winter in France (1975) where it seemed any form of domestic heating was not just undesireable, but maybe illegal too.
I would always dress in layers and stuff crumpled newspapers in my sleeves and pantlegs. It was much better when Spring came along.
Sally!
Betsy sent me your last blog from Santiago. I really enjoyed it. I hope you don't mind. Loved the part about the mullets. It gives quite a visual. Also, the Neruda house description was fun. Ann Kelly
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