Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Santiago Week One

                                     

Day one:  Hugging Maria Ignacia after four years!    Day one:  Right off the plane and celebrating 
                                                                                              Alejandra's birthday
Warm greetings from Santiago! I am pleased to finally sit down to write an entry. I have been here for a week, and what a whirlwind it has been! The last time that I visited Chile was in 2007. Since then, practically upon getting off the plane, I note substantial changes—from more bicycle riders to Great Value peanut butter in Líder (the supermarket chain that was purchased by “guess who”). This past week has been filled with details: how to maneuver the subway (there is a new red-green system implemented during rush hour—extremely helpful but I literally thought I was losing my mind the first night when it “skipped” my station), interlibrary loans and bank glitches.



The University is great and I have been welcomed by a host of renowned scholars who are eager to dialogue and share materials. A couple pictures of my office space:
Friday was my birthday—quite the unforgettable one. I spend the day having breakfast, lunch and running around town with one of my favorite writers, whom I respect deeply. I then had a wonderful diner later that night with a group of dear friends at a Peruvian restaurant.

Students, I must say that I have thought of you much this week. So many adaptations must occur when living abroad. A mix of emotions often floods and weighs upon the unexpected of the day. Yet, once one wades through the uncertainty--often laced with excitement--something truly magical occurs and a sort of satisfying peace takes over.
 
 











Photos:  San Cristobal,Taken by DVN


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Panama

Last spring break I co-lead a service trip to the island of Ustupu, Panama.  While visiting the Kuna Yala we learned many valued life lessons:  how to sleep in hammocks, how to rock a nose tattoo, how to keep a sarong up (sometimes--thanks, Suzy, for catching that one for me), and how to appreciate a beautiful, proud culture.
Don't hit me! A sign from the Panama City zoo. 
The students and I were on command form watch during our travels.
 This is the albino alligator's plea.
Why pick on the poor albino?


Sleeping quarters.  The ocean's tide just outside the window.


For Kuna women the nose is to be accented and a straight one is a sign of beauty.  They paint theirs with the pulp of a seed that supposedly comes off in a couple of days.  The girls and I underwent some major scrubbing after this was not the case.  And yes, that hair is about a day away from dreads.

                                           Top:  Sara and Candace Bottom:  Suzy
These pictures are my favorite.  They were such great sports when trying new food. 
Our farewell dinner --caught the night by the bare hands of a spunky fisherman-- still included the animalitos' little faces.
Girls, your open-mindedness deserves many random tyrannosaurus impressions--una promesa!

Crafting a mola, a complex tapestry that requires months of stitching by hand. 
 A front and a back panel form the typical Kuna female attire.

With Sara, Candace and Karen in the market in Panama City. 
Hope dear Karen comes to stay with me soon!




                             Last night in Panama--a welcomed shower and delicious food.
A special experience that I'm blessed to have shared with this energetic group.

Puerto Rico

No, you are not mistaken.  The subject of this blog is Chile.  However, since it has taken me a mere six months to upload these pictures, I thought that I might share them.  Last fall a dear friend and colleague, Elena Aldea, and I attended a terrific conference in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  The top picture is an ode to my students in a graffiti-motiv restroom.  Viva Capital!