God is Bigger than Your Problem

La Chascona

After being in Chile for about two weeks, I can definitively say that my Spanish is predictably pathetic. I understand enough to get by but it is not easy. I'm spending the first few weeks of my time here taking language classes in Santiago before I head off to Valparaiso for my semester.

Yesterday, I volunteered at an animal shelter, playing with and feeding rescued dogs that are up for adoption. When I told a friendly teenager and fellow volunteer that I was American, she immediately switched into English and started telling me all about how she moved from Florida when she was 10 and has lived in Santiago for 6 years and it definitely gets easier, so don't worry. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I should be practicing Spanish as she prattled on.

La Chascona

About a week ago, I saw a bumper sticker that said "God is Bigger than Your Problem." It sounds a little better in Spanish, but you get the idea. I'm trying to keep things in perspective and know that even if I have no idea what's going on half the time, that's kind of okay. In fact, confusion and disorientation is part of the objective. If you're uncomfortable, you're doing it right.

Without a doubt, I'm also having fun. I'm super enjoying the summer weather, cultural tourism, incredibly cheap fruit (avocados are everywhere here) and the opportunity to not take my life so seriously.

I also visited Pablo Neruda's Santiago house, La Chascona. The photos I took don't do the place justice, but it was pretty magical. He has three houses, scattered throughout Central Chile. My goal is to see them all. And then perhaps to learn something about Chile's culture, history, social problems, etc. But, for now, I'm taking things one day at a time.