VICTOR JARA - THIS SONG SO BEAUTIFUL

VICTOR JARA, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHILEAN MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME. HE REMINDS ME A LOT OF SIMON AND GARFUNKEL AND CAT STEVENS. HE WAS A COMMUNIST AND  MUCHO OF HE SONGS SPOKE ABOUT THE HARDSHIPS OF HIS ERA AND LOVE. AFTER THE COUP DE ESADO IN 1973,  HE WAS TAKEN TO JAIL AND KILLED. IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THEY CUT OFF BOTH HIS HANDS AND TOLD HIM HE " WOULD NEVER PLAY THE GUITAR AGAIN". HE BLED TO DEATH AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 41.


ON A LIGHTER NOTE..... I SUGGEST YOU LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG (AT LEAST TWICE). I FIND IT VERY ROMANTIC..... IT EXPRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF 5 MINUTES AND HOW SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME COMO AMOR.

Training and Earthquakes

I currently am still in Santiago at a freaky hostel. The last few days we where staying at a sweet hotel down town, but now we are in the hands of the government... things have changed a little. Today we had teaching workshops all day... We have these all week and on Saturday we all move to our towns. Everyone is placed all over the country, so no two people will be in the same town. This kinda stinks because I have made some new friends, however it will be fun to visit them on the weekends.


I will have more information about school, grade ect. hopefully soon! 


BESOS

EARTHQUAKE
Oh and how could I forget!! Since I have been here we have had two pretty big earthquakes.... a 5.8 and 7.2! The 5.8 was Friday around 4:30 am, woke me from my slumber! The other one was yesterday, I was having a beer, and all of a sudden everything started shaking, pretty scary, but no one was hurt. They say that because of the big earthquake in 2010 the plates are "slipping" back into place, so its not that strange they happen often. 


tranquilla they say

Placement!!!!!!

I got my placement!!! I will be living in Cartagena with a family of four! Attached is some info I have received from el gobierno and a letter from my new hermano

Pablo Neruda

Yesterday (SATURDAY) I had a wonderful day. We went to la casa de Pablo Neruda. If you don't know who Pablo Neruda is... you should... he is one of Chiles most prized possessions.  He is most famous for his poetry but also was known for his role in politics during the twentieth century. He rolled deep with legends such as Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera and other artist del mundo. These abroad friendships is how he became so popular in the literary world and contributed to his success.

Useful sayings....

Friday was an eventful day..... We took a chilean spanish class where we learned IMPORTANT spanish sayings como


1. apagarse la tele ( literal translation: turn off the television) = TO BLACK OUT
2. arriba de la pelota ( above the ball) = TO BE TIPSY
3. Andar a lo gringo  ( walk like a walk person)= TO GO COMMANDO
4. bacán= cool


Yesterday we also explored the city, and learned a lot about Sanitago's past....como the Mapuche and how the fight against the imperial Spain, los conquistadores.  I have taken many classes on Latin American history and it very much interest me. I find it fascinating to be here and see what/how this country came to be....however dissatisfaction still lingers today in society...... muy interesante and triste. 

HOLA HOLA! Estoy aqui

Hola Amigos!
Here I'am again embarking on another adventure abroad, however this time in CHILE! I am currently in  Santiago for my teaching seminar and will be here for about two weeks. I have only been en la ciudad for about 4 hours... but I already feel comfortable and I dig the vibe.


After 30 hours of travel it was time for my first Chilean meal experience...