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