Un Servicio en una Iglesia – A Church Service

I have written in the past of the fact that I like to attend chruch (la iglesia) and that when I am home in the US, whether I am in El Paso, where I currently live or visiting family and friends (familia y amigos) in other parts of the country, both Sarah and I like to attend a church service. I have done this since my youth (mi juventud), and currenly consider myself a nondenominational Christian, but I have my roots in Methodist and Episcopalian churches. I think the fellowship that one can get from thiese public displays and gatherings of worship are both important and necesssary in life, especially in my life.

When I travel, I often like to see historic churches (iglesias históricas) that were founded by missionaires and came to be established as centers in communities (las comunidades) that often are still operating and in many cases thriving. While travleing one summer throughout the Baja California, we visitied a number of historic churches established on mission trips by the Spanish. These churches were beautifully designed and often sit at the north end (el lado norte) of the plaza, and can be found not only in Mexico, but throughout the United states, including the great mission churches along the California coast, the old churches established in the 1600s in Santa Fe, NM and even mission style chruches in El Paso. There are of course a number of beutiful chruches here in Santiago, many which have their roots from the mission times associated with the Spanish Conquistadors (los conquistadores españoles), but none more exquisite and hisoric than the San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco) near downtown.

I also like to see and atttend churches that are not merely historical, but actually up and running and serving a local community. Often these churches are not only the moral and spiritual centers (los centros morales y espirituales) of a city or town, but also the backbone for local aid in dealing with concerns like substance abuse, homelessnes and violence against women and children. Provding support, especially financial aid, to these local churches is one great way to contribute to a city, even a great and huge city like Santiago. With its great size and expanse, there is not only need everywhere you turn (en todos los partes), but also a local sense in the various sectors of town, whether it be here in Nunoa or elsewhere in places such as the Quinta Normal.

Recenly, Sarah and I took the time ot visit a local church, Calvary Chapel Santiago, which we found on the Internet, as it has a connection to the network (un red) of churches we attend at home and have attended for many years in New Mexcio and Calfornia. The style back home is “come as you are”, and is not built on pomp and circumstance or symbols of wealth and prosperity, but is often a small local community based church that mearely preaches from the Bible (la Biblia) and sings songs of worship. What we found here was a wonderful loving congregation who welcomed 2 strangers (extranjeros) into their service.

Once we found seats, we opened the book of songs (los himnos), and read the lyrics in Spanish, recogniing the tunes and ultimatley the songs, as they were translated versions of things we sing back home. Once we got into that rhythm, we could also feel the love in the room, and when a paritioner lent us a Spanish Bible we were able to follow along with the message (el mensaje). As the pastor spoke, he taguht in an open, relateable style that was not accuing or condescending, it was purposeful teachign that was applicalbe to life, even for foreigners in Santiago. Located in a rough part of town, you can see the light (la luz) that this church provides, and the service that it provides, not only in a spritiual sense, but also as a tangible center for outreach in the community. Yes, there is need everywhere, but it is often important to recognize (importante para reconocer) that support can come from anywhere as well.

Elvis Está en el Edificio – Elvis is in the Building

There are some classic icons that transcend time and space, such as Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevarra, Jim Morrison and of course, Elvis Presley. The thing that really makes Elvis different and in many ways, the largest icon (el icono grande) of modern times, is that his music and his manner were unique and timeless. From his early days in Nashville and Memphis to his final days in Las Vegas, Elvis in many ways epitomized the transcendence (la transcendencia) of the wide-eyed hungry youth to the catatonic overweight middle-aged man. Yet, whenever he opened his voice to sing, the appearances were not important and what really mattered and still matters is the music (la música).

Well, I can tell you that the spirit and the music of Elvis Presley is alive and well here in Santiago. Recently, we went with our friends Claudio and Selma to see their son, Claudito, perform as part of an Elvis tribute show. We eagerly signed on for the evening (la noche), and were joined by Taty and Juan and others and made our way to the show one evening in Ñuñoa. What I did not realize is that not only would I be taken back by the event (el evento), I would in effect be propelled forward.

Upon arrival at the show, about 10 PM, Claudito, who is a great guy and a tall one too (un buen hombre y también muy alto), greeted us at the Elvis table (la mesa de Elvis). We talked a bit about the night and said we were looking forward to the show as well. What we did not expect was the transformation (una transformación) that would be made before our eyes and ears as well. He came out with his band dressed as a youthful Elvis, harkening the early days, singing in a tone that not only recalled Elvis, but one in appearance as well. His voice (su voz) was crisp and melodic, hitting all the notes and making all the moves, shimmying and shaking much to the delight of the crowd.

Later, he emerged as an older Elvis, more black leather that jumpsuit, but the transition was effective, and he continued, along with his tight backing band, to rock the joint like they did back in Nashville and Las Vegas. I was really impressed, and it goes further, because all the songs (las canciones) were done in English in perfect pitch and tone. I can’t imagine singing even one song in another language (un otro idioma), let alone a 2-hour set of classics that everyone knows.

And everyone knew all the lyrics, especially all the patrons of the club, who sang along in English to many a tune, some that I knew and others I had difficulty recalling all the lyrics. Now this may have been an Elvis-crazy crowd, a group of fanatic fans, but it was not something average or normal, it was exceptional and brilliant (excepcional y brillante). Needless to say, when someone asks me if I have seen Elvis, I can honestly say, he is alive and well and living in Santiago.

Amigos Como Familia – Friends Like Family

Each time I think I have something down, things get turned around, and I am humbly reminded that there is still a lot to learn. In addition to the ever-present need to learn and communicate more clearly in Spanish (el castellano), there is also a number of life lessons which come as regularly, but in a more subtle and thought provoking manner. Luckily, Sarah and I have great friends here who are more like family, and this is never more evident in the ways in which they treat us. We have been invited to lunches, dinners, included in family outings, and become part of the circle of friends (un grupo de amigos) that will extend not only for our visit, but throughout our lives (nuestras vidas).

Case in point is something that happened last week (la semana pasada), we were supposed to go and see a series of movies in which our friend Taty's son, Nacho, had a film as well. Well, we waited too long to get a ticket and the event was sold out early in the afternoon. Without missing a beat, Juan and Taty decided to invite us to a dinner (una cena) of traditional Chilean food in a rustic and authentic setting. Even in this casual setting among friends like family the cultural lessons continue (las lecciones culturales continúan).

We head out for dinner around 9 PM, which still takes some getting used to for us. We are usually closer to heading to bed around that time, even on a weekend, than we are to getting ready to eat dinner. Dinner back home is a big meal around 6 PM, and usually dinner here in Santiago is something smaller in size, but always later in the evening. During the day, there is usually a small breakfast, a mid-morning break, a large lunch (un almuerzo). Later in the day, traditionally there was a late afternoon snack (once) that most people just call dinner these days. As well, the traditional dinner is served later.

Anyway, we left around 9 PM and made it to a wonderful restaurant that specialized in authentic Chilean foods, especially roasted meats. We started the evening with the national drinks of Chile - pisco sours and of course, we added red wine (vino tinto) during the main course. We were then served a salad consisting of tomatoes, onions and chili (ají), as well as freshly baked bread (pan asado). What followed as the main course was a platter of with all kinds of sizzling meat with hot coals underneath set down on the center of the table. The meat skillet (parrillada) included beef (carne), chicken (pollo), sausage (salchicha) and even cow’s stomach, which I ate with a little hot sauce. It was all cooked to perfection and continued to roast right in front of us throughout our evening meal.

Yet, it is not just a “dine and dash”, “hit and run”, “eat and greet” function. No, it is a more relaxed event that includes conversation, catching up on events, actually listening to one another and sharing each others company, like family. Being so far from home, this is a welcomed feeling, but also a subtle reminder of the type of effort we need to have with friends back home as well. Our friends treat us like family (la familia), but they are also constant mentors in how we should be as human beings (seres humanos). Our dinner rolls into desert and a nightcap, and once we leave the restaurant, it is nearly 1 AM. We get home around 1:30 AM, and have a bit of time to reflect on such another different experience (una experiencia diferente) this time for dinner, which was more of an event than a meal. Yet, it was also another time to learn from our hosts and friends, and to see the blessings that are in our daily lives.

Los Juegos Olímpicos – The Olympic Games

I have always been a big fan of the Olympics and can remember a number of great moments in the past that were important and motivational to me as a kid and as an adult. For example, I remember (recuerdo) seeing the US Olympic hockey team beat the Russians for a unfathomable gold medal. I also remember the great track and field efforts of Edwin Moses, Carl Lewis and Bruce Jenner. In more recent times, there was the world domination by the Dream Team in US basketball (baloncesto), which included such sports icons as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

The Olympics are a great source of national pride for every country (por todos los países) and countryman and country woman who participate in these storied events. This summer, the Olympic Games (los Juegos Olímpicos) were held with great fanfare and public display in Beijing, China and the amount of coverage and promotion was seemingly limitless throughout the world. At least that is what I read, as I had a limited connection to the coverage to the Olympics here in Chile, not because it is not available (disponible), but because I did not purchase the coverage as part of my TV package (paquete). This is not a huge problem, but I did not think it would be something extra, I merely thought I could turn to NBC or ABC (or whoever was broadcasting the O-games) and kick back and watch.

Well, I was wrong, and I struggled to even find highlights on the news, in English or in Spanish. I could read things on the Internet, and also see clips from record performances, such as Michael Phelp’s unprecedented 8 Gold medals in swimming or Usain Bolt (great name) flying down the track to be crowned the Fastest Man in the World in Grand Style. Sure, I got to see lots on the progress of the fine Chilean athletes, many of who medaled in sports (deportes) such as Fernando Gonzalez who won a silver medal in Men’s tennis, yet I was not getting much of anything else for the longest time. In fact, I never saw any live action (acción en vivo) throughout the entire games, not the opening ceremonies or the closing ceremonies. Well, I can’t say that I did not see anything live, as I did catch one final, and it turned out to be a great one for this American (norte americano) in Chile.

I went to bed one night near the end of the games with the TV on and I woke up a little while later, and could have swore I was seeing the beginning of the US/Spain Men’s Basketball Game live. I knew that this game was going to come on and of all the events that I most desperately wanted to see, this was the one. Coach K from Duke is the coach (el entrenador) and the team (el equipo) includes a modern day dream team (dubbed the Redeem Team to take the US b-ball back to the top). The roster had arguably the best players in the world, including Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Well, I thought I was dreaming and cut off the TV and went back to sleep.

I awoke some time later and it was 4 AM in the morning (en la mañana), and I suddenly was wide awake. I quickly remembered seeing the basketball game and cut on the TV to see if I had been dreaming or what was going on. I was sure I had missed it and my one chance to see live action was long gone. But, suddenly I was redeemed as well, as the game (el partido) was entering the fourth quarter and the US team help off a talented Spanish team to win the gold in great style. With the volume turned down to 0 so as not to disturb a sleeping Sarah, I silently chanted “USA! USA!” and probably (problamente) was the only one in Chile making such a silent spectacle, but for a brief moment, I was living the dream along with the team.

Que Fue Extraña Es Ahora Familiar – That Which Was Strange Is Now Familiar

The other day I passed a milestone of sorts here in Santiago and also had a profound, at least to me, realization that things were definitely improving little by little (poco a poco).  In many ways, life here is settling in to a regular rhythm that includes life and work, but also has many elements of surprise along the way.  I imagine that it is the same back home, if I were there, it’s just that at times, we settle into routines in our lives that are just that, routines. We in effect (I am using the British royal “we” which really means “me”) settle into patterns that we just go through without really paying attention to the little things, the things that in reality have the biggest impacts on our lives.

Here in Santiago, I am always looking for the familiar, and have struggled to see it except in the faces of my friends and colleagues and the places (los lugares) in the neighborhood and around the university.  Yet, this past week, I started to see things clearly in the sea of Santiago, to see the details along the road (la calle), to see the faces in the crowd.  In some ways, it seemed that time started to slow down and that my frantic glances from side to side (lado a lado) on the Metro or on the street were replaced with a more gentle observational manner, like learning how to see the trees with the forest, to see the animals in the park and not just the park itself. For example, I got on the Metro, made it to the Plaza de Armas and popped out on the street.  Looking around, I could see familiar sites and buildings (edificios), and knew that by going right, I would be on the plaza, not lost, but right where I wanted to be.  In fact, as I emerged on the street, the throng that had once been a rushing sea of people without an end in sight, now slowed down to be a crowd of faces, not all recognizable as people I actually know, but as individuals living in the city, as fellow Santiaguinos. 

Later, I got back on the Metro and made my way over to Providencia.  While on the train (el tren), I was able to look around and see the faces of the people on the subway, not as threats or possible thieves (los ladrones) that I had read about in books and magazines, but actually people (la gente) just going about their daily business.  I could see the mother and her child going to do some shopping, and I could see the young men going to play some soccer (futbol), each glance brought a story and a person, not a situation of conflict or potential danger. I also made my way to a store, where I purchased a coat, much like the ones I have been seeing other guys wearing, a sort of stylish San Francisco Warf style that has a cool urban feel and is functionally warm as well. The fear that once almost gripped me to a state of being unfunctional is starting to diminish, and what was once strange (extraña) has now become familiar.

I have also taken to wearing a scarf (una bufanda) here in Santiago, as it really does a good job keeping the neck (el cuello) warm, which is very important, especially in the month of August (agosto).  Anyway, I often wrap it around my neck in much the way one ties up a package or a bundle of sticks, not in the stylish way that people do here on the streets.  Yet on the Metro, I was able to slow down and observe a man, close to my age and appearance, put his own by looping it around his neck and fitting it under his jacket in an effortless way. It was like being taught how to tie a necktie for the first time, but from a distance and without any real contact with the individual.  I have taken to using this method to put my scarf on comfortable and correctly and have even shown Sarah this fashion tip as well.  With my new jacket (mi chaqueta nueva) and a little help from my ability to actually fit my scarf around my neck, I have become more of a familiar site myself, no longer the misfit adolescent, but Chile Billy, resident of the great city of Santiago.

La Manera que Cosas Sirven – The Way Things Work

I have mentioned in the past how the schedules (los horarios) of the day anchor me and that I often make a plan to start each day with some routine and go on from there.  In Santiago, this is also important, as things do work differently (cosas sirven diferentemente) and examining these differences is an important part of my learning experience here at la UMCE.  In fact, I am in no way able to really make any tangible connections, as I am just beginning to understand how things work here. I know I am a practitioner and here to teach and demonstrate educational concepts and ideas, but I am also an observer, and I am using this time to be quick to listen (escuchar) and slow to speak (hablar), as the world around me has a lot to say and offer to me.

For example, the organization of the day at the university (la universidad) is set around 90 minute blocks of time, with the first block (I) beginning at 8 AM and the last block (VII) ending at 8 PM or 20:00 hours (horas). The 90-minute block periods have a regimented 15-minute break (un descanso) between the blocks, and classes in science education (educación de ciencia) typically covering 2 of these blocks.  The students and the professors usually take a break in the mid-morning to have a coffee (un café) or some juice (unos jugos), and there is usually an extended lunch (un almuerzo) beginning at 1 PM (13:00 horas) which is a longer break of around 90 minutes and is usually the biggest meal of the day.  Later in the day, there is another late afternoon break with more relaxed conversation and coffee or tea and then a final push until people head out for the day.

It appears that the students (los estudiantes) and the professors (los profesores) actually spend more time in class than we do in the US. It also seems that the students and the faculty actually spend more time on campus, typically coming in each day in the morning and staying throughout the day, at least until 6 PM (18:00 horas).  I have found that I am expected to be on campus regularly and I get there to the office each day by 9 AM.  When I try and comment that I am going to work at home (trabajo en casa), the other professors snicker and laugh, as “working at home” to them really means going shopping or heading out to the pub for a happy hour. 

The pace of the workday (el día laboral), although quite regimented in its operation and organization, is actually quite relaxed and facilitated in a more laid back manner than the hectic manner I am used to back in the US.  My usual manner is to run from my home to my office at UTEP to my class in order to meet my students who are running to class (están corriendo a clase) from the extreme outskirts of the campus where they have to park.  In fact, most of my work life can be seen as running from one place to another, trying to keep up with the pace of the day and all the time running, and in effect, missing a lot of quality moments.  I think what I need to do is not only live in the moment, but be available in all the moments, and that is where my mentors here in Santiago have me beat.

Los Perros – The Dogs

I miss my dogs!  I have 2 dogs, Judah and Brodie, which are back at home in El Paso, who could not or would not make the trip to Santiago for 5 months.  I don’t blame them, as they have it made, with a big backyard, all the food they need, bones and regular walks (thanks to our house sitter Chris). They also have each other, and that is a big reason why they are at home, it is a safe place (un lugar seguro) and they do their job in making it safer.  If you don’t know our dogs (nuestros perros), they are big barking beasts that are also among the most spoiled dogs on the planet.  You see, Sarah and I don’t have kids, so we make up for it by really going overboard with our dogs.

Judah is a large 90-pound cinnamon colored Lab-Mastiff mix with a bit of a drooling problem and a deep ferocious bark. He is also prone to getting in the grass on his back and barking, looking coyly at whoever is on the porch, to beacon them to come and scratch his tummy. Brodie is a large 75-pound black colored Irish Wolfhound who has wild hair like a Rastafarian and a bit of a digging problem in the flowerbeds.  Both were pound puppies we “rescued” from the Animal Shelter in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Or, should I say, that the two of them coming to our home in many ways rescued both Sarah and I, and hence, we spoil them.

Yet, they are living large in El Paso, and we are living small in our apartment (nuestro departamento) and we always have a dog-Jones that causes us to look for friendly dog faces wherever we go. On a trip to El Ingenio, you can meet up with a number of dogs who roam from home to home, but none more famous than “Chamelo” (pictured above), who is the ruler of the town (el pueblo), the mayor (el alcalde) if you will. 

There are also street dogs here in Santiago, and of course, many dogs that are not street dogs, but more apartment dogs or housedogs.  You can readily tell the difference (la diferencia) by which are wearing little sweaters, home dogs have them, and street dogs don’t.  In fact, the street dogs aren’t mangy mutts; many of them are beautiful full bred dogs, such as German Shephards, Rotweilers and others.  These street dogs are smart and will follow you across the street or stick close to you for a few blocks to see if you will offer them some food (alguna comida).  I’m not looking for new pets, but I have gone to carrying dog bones in my coat pocket and sharing them to buy some temporary allegiance and some general dog/Bill bonding time.

But, at the end of the day, I miss my dogs.  Sure, I get to see them each week on Skype, thanks to Chris and we do have their photos on our computers as screen savers (along with Condorito).  I know they are well taken care of and hopefully they will remember us, but in the meantime, I guess I will keep walking the streets with dog bones in my pocket (mis bolsillos).

Menos es Más – Less is More

A fundamental idea that permeates my approach to teaching and learning can be found in the tenets of constructivism and in the phrase “Less is more” (“Menos es Más”). In an educational sense following the constructivist method (el método constructivista), this idea is put forward to classroom curriculum and interactions, in that schools need to focus on fewer topics, but in greater depth. The push in this sense is for learning to go deeper to activate critical thinking strategies (estrategias de pensamiento critico) including analysis and synthesis of ideas. What really happens in schools today, at least as it seems to me, is that the emphasis is on the breadth of topics without going too depth on anything. Researchers have called this approach to curriculum “a mile wide and an inch deep”, implying that although a lot is covered, it is only done in a superficial way (una manera superficial).

This is also relevant in life, as we often are besieged with information, especially in this day of the Internet, and we tend to know a little about a lot, rather than knowing how things are connected, how things work, and taking what we have learned in one context and applying it anew. I find that I have to consciously challenge myself to go deeper, not only in an academic sense, but within the scope of my daily life (mi vida diaria). Often, I do try and cover a lot of ground, and feel that the wealth of my experiences, the expanse of my journeys, is enough to qualify me as a wise and knowledge-filled individual.

One strategy for doing this is to not only visit another country, but actually live in it and see how that strategy of less is more can be applied in a daily sense. For example, we had a problem with the toilet (inodoro) in our apartment (never a lot of fun) and since we only have 1 toilet (we have 4 at home), I knew I had to address the problem directly. At home, such a problem would have resulted in a call to a plumber (el plomero) or in the least, a trip to the local Home Depot for a bag of plumbing parts in the hopes that one would help to solve the problem. The solution would be more of a cost of money than time, and would inherently produce extra parts and materials in the home, in fact, the opposite of a “less is more” approach.

Yet, here in Santiago, I had to take my time, not only because I do not have the resources, financial or logistical, to take care of any problem (alguno problema) in one fell swoop. No, here I have to look at the problem to make sure I truly understand it, not only in the terminology, but also the root cause of the issue, before I ever can venture out and purchase anything or communicate effectively to anyone about this issue. In fact, I studied this problem for days, much to the chagrin and displeasure of my wife, as I was found often sticking my hands (mis manos) into the toilet to see what might be the cause and effect of different strategies to fixing it. This “hands-on” approach ultimately lead me to discover the root cause of the problem and to hypothesize a solution that resulted in my fixing the toilet with a twist tie from the supermarket.

To me, this is a good and practical example (un ejemplo práctico y bueno) of the idea of “less is more” in application and the use of critical thinking in order to solve a unique problem. I thought my solution was creative and seems to work, and I did learn from my friend Claudio that people here in Chile often joke about fixing things with twist ties, such as their automobiles or home appliances. In some ways, maybe I am becoming more Chilean than I realize, and by slowing down and being in the moment, rather than looking past it or avoiding it altogether, I am less skimming across the surface and more diving deeper in life.

El Primer Día en la Escuela – The First Day of School

The first day of school is always a contradiction in that it represents both new beginnings and unfinished business. For the new beginnings, each semester is a fresh start for students and teachers alike, a chance to learn something new (algo nuevo) , enhance existing directions of study and if desired, change directions towards something else. In the opposite way, it represents unfinished business, as it is a step along the academic path, another marker along the way (el camino), and can be a source of anxiety and nervousness in which the uncertainty of the future can lead to a belief that new things just bring new problems and concerns.

When I was a full time student, this new beginning meant putting on my best tie dyed t-shirt and heading to class to look for friends or like minded new people who might become friends (amigos) in the future. I also wanted to size up my competition, to see who I might have to “beat” in order to get an A. I was a competitive student who put on an air of disinterest and aloofness, which came across as an attitude that I didn’t care, but deep down I was driven to both learn and compete.

As a teacher, my motive has transformed and become distinctly different, as I want know to get to know my students, to have them see themselves as part of a new community of learners. I have worked hard (he trabajado duro) to master techniques for learning peoples names right away, to help create a climate that fosters participation, inquiry and self discovery. I also want to create a safe environment which affords students the opportunity (la oportunidad) to take risks and go into ambiguous territory, as that is the palace where real learning occurs.

I revisited this yesterday at la UMCE, where I participated in the first day of class for the second semester in my colleague Claudio’s class. I watched as the fresh faced, motivated and excited students came into the class and filled the desks in the classroom (la aula). This group of about 50 students is studying to become science teachers here in Chile, and the smiles, laughter, animated apprehension and uncertainly exhibited by the students surely was familiar. In fact, this scene has been played our many times in my own classrooms, and as the students made their ways to their seats and class was ready to begin, they all looked around to see who was also in attendance, and the joy and anticipation bubbled to the top.

I’ve been here at la UMCE long enough to recognize some of the students and for some of them to recognize me, to share hellos (holas) with one another and to catch up on events in our daily lives (nuestras días de las vidas). The laughter among the students as I gave my greetings in Spanish was familiar and attractive, a welcomed invitation to a new beginning. With that realization, I know that I have come to a new place. Although I am in a new location, in a new country and with brand new students (estudiantes nuevos), I am engaged in a familiar experience and perspective, a chance to help students learn and grow as future educators.

Un Mes en Santiago – A Month in Santiago

This past weekend brought forth a milestone in my journey toward adulthood here in Santiago, as now a complete month has past since we first arrived here in Chile. Along the way, I have experienced life as a child (un niño), seemingly landing as an infant incapable of the smallest of normal life tasks and have grown into an adolescent (un joven), complete with false bravado and without a true sense of accountability and responsibility. I have also tried to make my way out of that painful period, it was hard enough going through life as a teenager the first time, and establish myself as an adult and contribute to the well being of my fellow citizens of Santiago (los Santiaguinos).

Yet, I am still in many ways stuck in a period of young adulthood n my personal growth here in Chile. While I can contribute to conversations and participate in both social and professional events, I am still lacking in my overall ability to communicate effectively, especially when I speak. Like in the United States, my accent gives me away, although it is not the Southern Drawl of Virginia that people pick up on here, it is the lack of the way I roll my Rs or my RRs, sounding at times like a gringo from North America (un Norte Americano) or at best, a visitor from Brazil. I am not completely independent nor can I contribute in any real and substantial way in regular conversations and interactions, seemingly gangly and awkward, all arms and legs, with no real sense of self or overall direction. Whatever the reasons, I am not a local, I am not a grown up, and I still have a long way to go and a short time to get there.

Yet, upon reflection, this is not a moment to be cause for alarm or to be overtly critical of my seeming lack of progress, as there have been a number of relatively great accomplishments that I must take stock in and see as a foundation from which to build my future growth. For example, this past weekend on Saturday, I was able to make my way, along with Sarah, to the bus and then to the Metro station, get on the correct line to the downtown (el centro) and make my way across the beautiful Plaza de Armas and find the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. I paid our fees and understood the directions to the exhibits and read the accounts in Spanish and enjoyed the wonderful artifacts from throughout native history.

We then took a leisurely stroll down Paseo Huérfanos and found a nice spot for lunch (un almuerzo), just like the locals we saw on the street. Afterwards, we found our way back to the Metro without asking for directions, made it to the correct bus, got off at the supermarket, got money out of the ATM (Cajero Automático), bought groceries, and walked directly back to our apartment without getting lost or needing assistance. In many ways, this is a lot of progress, and does demonstrate some substantial growth towards independence, in an intrinsic and personal sense.

Although this journey is about contributing to an educational project, it is as much about understanding the perspective of others and using this experience in order to grown and in fact to transform into something new. This is often much harder as we grown older, but with the innocence of a child, the confidence of an adolescent, the work ethic of a young adult and the wisdom of a lifetime of experiences already pursued, this might be the very foundation from which to build on for the future. In that sense, I am more excited today about what is still to come.

Una Presentación en un Taller – A Workshop Presentation

Spanish is not my first language, but in Chile it has to be, as all the interactions, information and investigations are in Spanish first and foremost. I can certainly watch CNN at home in English, read a newspaper online in English or talk in English at home even here in Santiago, but if I want to interact with anyone in a real and substantial way, it has to be in Spanish.

In the sense of my academic work here, I am part of the Faculty in the College of Science that includes professors in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. So, in the sense that I am interacting with all of these professionals in Spanish is an understatement, as there is also a technical language, a scientific vocabulary that is also part of my learning process. This has also come with its own unique challenges, both in content and context, both in terminology and meaning, in sending and receiving information that needs to be contextualized, clear and concise.

This week, I took part in a series of workshops that were based on inquiry science (ciencia de indagación) that was similar in scope and sequence to things I have done back in the US. In fact, the workshop part I was asked to lead for my colleagues was on movement and design (movimiento y diseño) that was to be done in a hands-on discovery format within a small group. Well, the night before the workshop, I was gripped with anxiety, unsure of how I could make my colleagues not only learn from me, but respect me as an educator and a valued contributor to the education of Chileans.

Luckily, my colleagues here took all the fear and anxiety out of the workshop by participating with great enjoyment and enthusiasm, despite my shortcomings in terminology. In fact, I did a pretty good job, as soon as I relaxed and recognized that this is something that I do know how to do. The process was the emphasis here, as it should be in science education, and the idea of investigating and leading students to discover concepts and make connections transcends language at any level. There is always something to learn and that in any setting, there is an opportunity for improvement and growth, and little by little (poco a poco) I am making my transformation as an educator and a human being.

Cedula de Identidad – Identification Card

This week I reached a milestone in my progression toward adulthood here in Chile, taking on the responsibility and accountability of an adult, being recognized as a full-fledged citizen (un ciudadano) in the grand city of Santiago. Yes, this week I finally got my identification card (cedula de identidad) and I now registered and legal as a (albeit foreign) resident of Chile.

This marks the culmination of a process that began almost a month ago, not withstanding all the previous issues I had to go through to get a temporary visa for working here in Chile. This time, the process went really smooth, as all the requirements had been met, all the fees had been paid and all background checks had been accomplished. Yes, on a brisk and cold morning here in Santiago, I waltzed down to the local government building, stood in line for a half hour (not too bad) and then was let in to get my card. I even understood the directions of the gatekeeper, when he asked what I was doing and directed me to the information desk to pick up my ID card.

After that, I got my card, and admired it as a sixteen-year old admires his or her first driver’s license. I examined the card to make sure my name was spelled correctly, and looked over the photo that sits beneath the shiny glossy and transparent front of the ID card. It has my signature, my birth date and the date it expires (fecha de vencimiento) as well, I mean, I am a foreigner (un extranjero), what do you expect? It also has my number, in that I am one of over 22 million people who have registered for this service, or at least that is what I think it means.

Although it is merely a temporary ID, it does make me feel like I belong, that I am really part of the city, foreign visitor or not. I have put away my driver’s license and my passport, they are set aside in a safe and secure spot, as I won’t need them for quite some time. If someone needs to see my ID, well, I just open my wallet and BAM! There it is, the real deal, the real McCoy, the legal proof that I belong. Maybe I‘ll even go open a bank account…

Una Cena Especial – A Special Dinner

Last weekend, on a spur of the moment invitation from some colleagues at the US Embassy here in Santiago, Sarah and I went to a special dinner that featured the cultural sights, sounds and tastes of an area in Chile known as Chiloé. The purpose of the dinner was a fundraiser to help students from the towns in Chiloé who are in Santiago studying and attending local schools and universities.

Chiloé itself is the largest island in Chile, and is located in the northern part of Patagonia. The area has a rich fishing history with an established industry of fisherman, craftsman and farmers. The area is known for its wonderful seafood dishes, its warm wooly and handmade clothes and handicrafts and well as its friendly inhabitants. It is also an area rich in its own mythology, fueled in part by its interactions with sea going travelers and its attention to sea monsters, ghost ships and trolls within the art and stories of the region.

During the evening, we were treated to a wonderful dinner that consisted of different clams, mussels, sausage, pork, chicken and potato like cakes that were presented in a large, steaming bowl. The food was quite delicious, but at first glance, I did not have any idea what it was or exactly how to eat it. The food was accompanied by a local drink, which seemed part orange juice and warm red wine, which also was quite enjoyable and flavorful as well. We also were picked for a number of activities as we were placed in the front row, and Sarah and I had to join in and attempt to do one of the regional dances from Chiloé, which I am sure a shock to the rest of the diners - but hey, when in Chiloé.....

We made our way home thanks to the kindness of members of our group and reflected on the great evening we had experienced in sight, sounds and tastes, and savored the memories as well of our special dinner, una cena especial, in the heart of Santiago with the flavor and influence of Chiloé.

Un Viaje a la Viña – A Trip to the Winery

There are a large number of wineries here in Chile, and the wine they produce is some of the best in the world. There are all types of wines, the spectrum of whites and reds, but for me, the best are the reds (los vinos tintos). I am rather fond of the Cabernet Sauvignon style wines, but there is also a unique red here called Camerere that is a bit smoother and not as dry. The wineries stretch from north to south, but a large number are located, like most of the people in Chile, around the Santiago area.

We set out to check out the winery, Concha y Toro, which lies at the southern end of Santiago, just past the Metro Stop to Puente Alta and a short bus ride to the winery itself. This in itself was a big step for us as we got directions from an instructor at Sarah’s Spanish class, and with a plan to see the winery and a reservation for an afternoon tour; we embarked on what would (or could) be a journey to the far reaches of our known environment. You see, I have been around the city, but going to the outskirts of the city was something that I had not done, at least not without a native guide or some local friends who know the streets, paths and areas throughout Santiago. This was not a “being lead by the hand” experience, we were on our own, free falling if you will into the big wide-open spaces, stretching our limits, and looking for adventure.

Well, we found it, and as I am often fond of noting, without ambiguity and risk, no real learning takes place. This trip was filled with ambiguity, which metro line do you take? How do you get to the bus? How do you know you are going in the right direction? At which stop do you get off? How much does it cost? How will I get back home? Well, we found risk and ambiguity, and I think I know I learned a lot as well. Yet, we made it out and back, through some interesting and scenic areas that are all around the city. We rode the Metro underground and over ground, took buses out and back and even negotiated the these tasks in the day and in the evening amidst the throngs of people making their ways to and from the city.

I think the transition to adulthood is beginning here in Santiago, and this is one example of the change that is occurring as I make my way from infant to adolescent and hopefully, back to an adult. I didn’t think this was a big deal until I related it to an acquaintance who was impressed with the journey we had undertaken. I guess that is something to really pay attention to as well and a good reminder that even though there is still a long way to go, some good and solid ground has already been covered.

Mi Camino de la Mañana – My Morning Walk

I am a morning person, and like to get up early in the day and have some quiet time to myself, spend a little time in the gym, get ready for the day, have breakfast and then make my way out the door to work. This is my routine back in the US, and for the most part, this has been my routine here in Santiago. The setting and circumstances may be uniquely different, but the routine in some ways helps to ground me in an ever-changing and challenging set of circumstances that some may vary daily in Chile.

One of the really nice benefits to working here in Santiago, and especially here in Ñuñoa, I have the luxury of being able to walk to work on most days. Without a car and being in close proximity to UMCE, this is a comfortable 15-20 minute stroll that now takes me past relatively familiar sights and sounds. What once was a labyrinth with strange and exotic markers is now part of a comfortable and enjoyable part of my morning routine.

I come out of my apartment building and head down the street, past the Theater and the Government offices, and see the ever-present fountain sending its magnificent plume of water into the air. I come to the main street, Irarrazaval, and make sure that the traffic lets me cross, as I wait for the green light to show my way. Safely across, I head adjacent to the plaza, past Las Lanzas y other restaurants near the plaza. I then walk past a school, where the sounds of young students laughing, playing and conversing fill the crisp morning air. Making my way across the street and away from the plaza, I head down a street called Dr. Joho, and go past La Tecla, and then make my way toward the university.

Right now, in the dead of winter (el invierno), I feel the hint of cold (el frio) in the air, but also witness the signs of spring (la primavera) as I move down the street. The trees are sprouting leaves, buds readying to burst and small flowers, some white, some yellow, greet me a new each day. I imagine this is also a scene that will be at all times familiar and full of changes, not only in the flora and fauna, but in the ever present numbers of people all around. As spring moves forward, people’s stares turn to smiles and their bundled existence leads to freedom in movement, and this to me signals that indeed, the times are changing.

En el Profundo – Into the Deep

Last December, I went on a trip to Antarctica that proved to be a once in a lifetime experience.  Form El Paso, Texas, Sarah and I traveled with a group of students and fellow professors to Ushuaia, Argentina where we boarded a ship, a Russian icebreaker named the Orlova and set sail south for the Last Great Frontier.

As we set sail, we moved away from the southern stretches of land in Argentina, and were guided through part of the Beagle Channel toward the open ocean.  The area s so narrow and travel so specialized, that a guide (un piloto) is needed in order to reach open water. If that person, the pilot, does not guide the huge ship through the channel, the possibility that the ship could run aground or be damaged in some way is quite high.  The goal is to exit the channel safely and head out into the high and mighty seas.

Once the ship reached the edge of the coastline and the channel, what remains in front of you in open water and in the case of traveling to Antarctica, this means crossing the Drake Passage, considered historically the roughest seas in the world.  At the moment the pilot returned to his home vessel to return back to port, we were free to move into the open ocean, to head forward in a seemingly open and potentially expansive environment.  Yet, what came upon me at that moment was a hushed fear of entering a space to which I had never been, an open sea fraught with potential danger, an abyss of great depth and breadth with only a horizon on which to point.

This trip has become a true and physical metaphor in my life once and again, every time I have the feeling of leaving a familiar shore to head for open waters.  Having been here in Santiago for some 3 weeks, I do recognize things as familiar which were once foreign, but also see the open water to come, and approach this opportunity with respect and trepidation, as I set my face toward the horizon and prepare for a life-changing journey once again.

El Gimnasio – The Gymnasium

I like to work out and often being my morning with a trip to the gymnasium in order to stretch out my old bones, lift some weights and log a few aerobic miles on a stationary bike or elliptical machine. In El Paso, I have a membership to the Wellness Center, and enjoy not only working out for the health benefits that are produced (lower heart rate, stronger muscles, increased aerobic capacity), but also for the reduction of stress that comes as a result as well. I find if I beat myself up a bit early in the day, I am more likely to be able to enjoy the ups and downs of the workday as well as the interactions with others.

I promised myself that I would continue that rhythm wile in Chile, as I wanted to be fit and ready, flexible in boy and spirit, able to endure and overcome. My physical fitness, I believe, is a microcosm of my mental fitness, and being in god shape translates for me into greater productivity and enjoyment in work. In my new apartment building, there is a small gym located on the first floor, to which I travel, along with Sarah, very early in the morning (muy temprano por la mañana) and cut on the lights and get to work. I stretch out my old bones, lift some weights and log a few aerobic miles on a stationary bike or elliptical machine.

Yet, here in Santiago, the physical exercise in the gymnasium also becomes a metaphor for the type of effort that is needed both mentally and physically throughout the day. As a non-native Spanish speaker and a foreigner (extranjero) in Chile, my exercise begins in the morning and continues all day. I often come home and collapse in my apartment, a seemingly spent human specimen who is giving an effort, but continually needing to push forward and keep going.

When I was nineteen years old (I am now forty-five), I trained for a marathon with my brother Gordon, and we logged hundreds of miles on the road, on the track, up hills and around streams. We trained to push ourselves to a great distance, to accomplish a feat that required sustained effort and a seemingly compulsive commitment in order to reach an elevated goal. Along the way, in the Marathon race itself, around mile 20 or so, you hit a wall (un pared) that you have to push through, not go around or climb over, but push through in order to reach the other side so that you can make it to the finish line. While I haven’t reached the wall yet, I can see it on the horizon, and each day as I train in the gym, I reflect on the need to give it my best each and every day, not only here in Santiago, but wherever I may be.

La Cultura Nacional – The National Culture

Often it is said that Chile is an amazingly unified country for one that is spread out over such a large distance. Chile itself pans over 4,000 Km (2,500 miles) and roughly covers the length from Canada to Mexico across the United States. Although it is limited in width by the Andes Mountains to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the Wes, it maintains a seemingly well connected national culture and identity which binds Chileans from the North to the South.

Chile has a national Ballet Folklórico, which performs traditional dances (bailes tradicionales) and regional songs (canciones regionales) that reflect a strong cultural and historical perspective. The male and female dancers are arrayed in traditional costumes of the various regions, including Valparaíso. The pride and knowledge that Chileans hold about this national culture was demonstrated greatly to me, in that while visiting with our friends Claudio and Selma we viewed videos of these beautiful dances and wonderful songs. Our hosts sang along with the tunes and kept to the beats, presenting a heartfelt enjoyment along with a displayed national pride.

Often in the US, we struggle with such a display and I believe it is due to the diversity of the US that is so often at the forefront of the national identity. Sure, we have a National Anthem and unifying symbols, like the flag (The Stars and Stripes), the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument to name a few, but a national and cultural display seems to be missing.

From my own perspective, if pressed to display something uniquely cultural and American, I might sing out “Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet” or even worse, if asked to show videos of classic American culture, I might resort to the Original Caddyshack with Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield or put on a clip of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock doing the Star Spangled Banner. I am definitely proud to be an American and truly believe that the USA is a great and wonderful county of opportunity and progress. Yet, I am a bit envious of the Chileans ability to articulate and demonstrate their national culture.

En las Montañas- In the Mountains

It is often said that you have to climb mountains in life in order to succeed, and that life has peaks and valleys that you must find your way through all the time. This implies that there are challenges that require a sustained effort, but also in order to gain perspective in life, you often have to elevate your physical and mental approaches in order to clear your mind and focus on things from a higher level. With the Andes as a backdrop here in Santiago, the landscape of the mountains is a perfect metaphor for this perspective.

This past weekend, Sarah and I escaped the throngs of the city to the gentle recesses of El Ingenio, a small pueblo sitting at the foot of the Andes, where our friends Claudio and Selma have a cabin (una cabaña) to which they retreat almost every weekend and for extended periods in the summer. We left on Saturday to venture to this magical place, taking the time to visit wonderful towns along the way including Vertientes, San Juan del Maipo and Melacotón, and to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes (yes, we had to have another delicious empanada de pino).

Yet, once we arrived in El Ingenio, time seemed to stop. The air was crystal clear and the people in the town friendly and approachable. We enjoyed a delicious lunch (un almuerzo) with friends, partaking in a time honored tradition, but also slowing down to live in the moment, to see, smell and taste life without calculated purpose, but with a sense of ease and enjoyment. The nights were the same way, taking the time to not only look up at the mountains, but also at the vast sky and stars. I could see the Milky Way easily, as well as was able to see the Southern Cross for the first time in my life. This was quite a sight to behold.

With its fresh air and snowcapped peaks all around, the landscape beaconed me to lift my head and keep on moving forward. The days in Santiago are different than I am used to and the crowds of people also quite a unique event for someone like me, but the mountains encouraged me to not focus on the things in my direct path, but the things also on the horizon, to live in the moment and be in the moment, but also to get a perspective on the heights to come. It reminds me to set my sights on things above, not on things of this Earth. That perspective, I believe, is important in order to achieve anything in life, because without some guidance and perspective; the journey may not produce all the impacts that were possible.

El Centro de la Ciudad - Downtown in the City

With upwards of 5 million inhabitants (and much more if you count regualted and unreguated visitors), Santiago is a bustling metropolis that is nestled with the snow capped Andes to the East and the Pacific Coast to the West. Founded by the conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541, the city has enjoyed periods of growth and succession which have brought a rich and approachable culture and economy. With a visit to Cerro Santa Lucia, we could see not only the pint at which de Valdivia proclaimed the city to be established, but also a beautiful park with rocky paths and stairs to follow to the top. From the observation area, you can see all of Santiago, including the Cerro San Cristobal I wrote about previously. On a sunny day, the progress and shear size of the city are impressive to behold.

Making my way down to the Plaza de Armas, you see an area teeming with people, coming and going, sitting and laughing, discussing and listening, moving and shaking. The beautiful Catedral Metropolitana sits nearby and is an impressive site to behold as well as the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile's Presidential palace. Yet, the place is buzzing with people everywhere, and as the afternoon moves forward, the stream of individuals continues to move and sway, a river of population moving through the downtown channels. Making our way over to Paseo Huefanos, which is an impressive walking mall of shops and of course, people, lining the street for blocks on end. It reminded me of the 16th Street Mall in Denver, but much larger and with a seemingly endless supply of specialty shops, restaurants, cafes, and department stores. Oh, and did I mention that there are people everywhere? Well, on this sunny day in the capital city, the people were out in full force, enjoying the sunshine and coming and going, sitting and laughing, discussing and listening, moving and shaking.

After making our way out of the downtown by going past the Merced Church, considered the oldest (or one of the oldest) buildings in all of Santiago, we made our way back to the Metro for the Rush hour rush. So, we made our way to the station and in line for the train, with throngs of students, workers, business people and general travelers like us all crammed into a confined space that was made smaller and smaller with each stop along the line. I felt like I was at a Who concert.

Anyway, after that close encounter of a personal kind, we made our wa to the bus and got an even closer inspection of our fellow "Santiaguinos" as the bus swelled with more and more people as we moved closer to the plaza in Nunoa. Much of this increased use is due to the high price of gasoline and the ease of moving around the city without a car using the public transportation, but it also is a way of life here that will take some getting used to as well. In the western US, we are used to a large sense of personal space, but things tighten up here in Santiago, as the space between points in shortened with the connections and interactions with an increased number of people.