La Mesa de Los Niños - The Kid's Table

Sometimes I feel very sophisticated and mature, and then I travel to another country and realize that I am truly a babe lost in the woods.  With our relocation to Santiago, Chile this past week, I have had the opportunity to feel completely incompetent and utterly dependent on others - the real adults - as I take up a place at the kid's table on the side.

For example, we went to the bank this week to pay rent, and it was almost as if it happened for the first time in a magical way. Somehow, we were able to withdraw enough money to cover our first month's rent and successfully deposit it into our landlord's account. Of course, we had to be driven there by our friend Claudio and seemingly held by the hand as we tried to accomplish this adult task. At one time, I even had the bank president trying to assist me, but luckily Sarah, being more of an adult that me, had figured out this modern thing we call finances and big bank business.

It gets worse before it gets better, I mean I tried to remove a light bulb, a task I do effortlessly at home, but was somehow unsure if it went left or right here in South America.  Or, trying to make change at the feria, looking helplessly into the coins in my hand until some kind adult reached into my palm and took the correct amount from me.  I almost waited to be patted on the head, but I settled for a paternal smile from the vendor.

I am sure it will get easier, and there have been moments where we both have achieved adult success, albeit fleeting and for only a few precious moments.  In some ways, it is kind of fun to experience it all brand new and it does provide a valuable perspective on working with others who may be new to a location or country themselves.  I believe this is part of the learning process, the transformation to becoming more fluid in habits and language here in Santiago, and I look forward to moving to the adult's table, but always having the memory and experience of growth as a child.