Chao for now!

It is so weird to think that I am leaving Chile today. I have been saying goodbye to friends for weeks. Many have gone back to the States already. They were going through the same feelings I am now, while I was thinking that I'm so lucky because I've got two weeks..one week...a few days more. Now it's my turn to think of the lasts. My last once with the family was last night. It was cool because my family already has taken in another gringa for the second semester of the Chilean school year. Her name is Christina. It feels oddly like a humongous cycle. She is new to the family and will soon be learning all of the things that I learned. Today will be my last lunch (we are having estofado, my favorite dish while I've been here!), then I head out to the airport with Lauren. We are some of the last spring ISA students to leave in Chile. Ahhhh, Chile.

I have learned so many things in Chile. I have improved my language skills. I can understand everything my family says, except for the rare occasional phrase. I can speak faster and more clearly. An Argentinian told me that I have a Chilean accent. That will be interesting when I get in the classroom this fall to teach, when I'm supposed to be instructing book Spanish, not Chilean slang. I've learned of another culture. I know of Chile's history, different regions, some politics, palate, music, and art. I know some of how Chileans think, how they act, and how they treat other people. I understand the Chile's idea of family. I have learned how to use pubic transportation, and I've walked, walked, walked. Because I have met so many new people in this small amount of time, I think I have a more open mind. I'm not consciously judgmental when I meet new people at all. I don't think I was very judgmental before, but now I am even less so. Also, I have learned how to travel. I have had the opportunity to visit Chile's capital Santiago a few times, Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine in Southern Chile, La Serena and Valle del Elqui, Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru, and Mendoza, Bariloche, and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Because I've been able to go so many places, first my bank account is hurting (haha!). Second, I know how travel can require extensive planning and work, while other times spur-of-the-moment attitudes are better. Third, I understand the confidence and determination it takes to travel. And fourth, I have asked many stupid questions, and I've learned how easy it is to do so. I've experienced the frustration when the questions are countered with hostility and the relief when they are accepted with kindness. Because of travel, my passport looks pretty sweet with so many different stamps! I experienced my ultimate lesson through a lightbulb moment at the bottom of Torres del Paine National Park. I can do anything in the world that I want to do. I will never forget that.

I will miss life in Chile. I will miss using Spanish everyday. I will miss kissing on the cheek when I meet up with my friends or when I meet new people. I will miss the carrete, partying sometimes until 5 am weekdays and 7am on weekends. I will miss taking the bus and metro and walking everywhere, especially the ten minutes up my hill to home that I complained about at the beginning. I will miss being cat called or hearing 'o Dios' when I pass in the streets because of my 'blonde' gringa-ness.  I will miss the slower, more relaxed pace of life. I will miss the old man in our neighborhood who always greeted me with a handshake and kiss on the cheek. Most of all in Chile, I will miss the people. In general, Chileans are warm, welcoming, and friendly. More than that, I will miss my loving, awesome family, Miguel, Vivi, Monse, and Matias, plus countless other Chilean family and friends I had the chance to meet and see often, like our nana Denise. I will miss my close ISA friends with whom I spent so much time.

Goodbyes suck. But alas, I'm not thinking of this as a goodbye. I'm thinking of it as a see-ya-later. I'll see you soon, ISA friends. Chile and family, I'll be back. Chao for now. Here I come, SD!