Earthquake 8,3

Words to know: In Chile there seems to be different names for the degree of strength an earthquake has: (Note: they all translate into “earthquake” in English.)  1. temblor-  a little baby earthquake. One that doesn’t last long, usually only seconds. Most of the time you don’t really feel them 2. sismo- earthquake, one that doesn’t cause daño   (damage) to the area, but it is felt normally by people 3. terremoto- an earthquake that is really strong, and there is damage to the effected area. (Here’s an article about it in Spanish)

I experienced my first real earthquake last night. I am ok. Everything is fine. I am just taking a break from my Argentina post (That I have yet to publish) to write about this. It started a little before 8P.M last night. At first I felt a little tremor, like any other “temblor” ( we would call that a little baby earthquake in English) that has occurred in Santiago this past year. I first thought whoa that’s strong, and I wasn’t worried because the ones I have felt have only lasted 15-30 seconds at most. But then.. the trembling didn’t stop. I got a little worried/nervous/scared. The women I live with told me to come with her to stand in the doorway of the main door into the apartment. (Before this I was just sitting on my bed with a blank mind not knowing what to do). We stood there, my landlady holding her dog. Our neighbor came to stand in her door way too. Others were leaving to go outside.

As we were standing in the door way, the building kept shaking. It felt like forever! I didn’t know what to think. Finally, the shaking slowed down and stopped. (I read somewhere it was 5 minutes long… You don’t think about time when you’re scared) We stayed in the doorway for a few minutes more talking to our neighbor, and making sure the sismo was really over. 

We went back in and my landlady turned on the T.V. to see the news. The first reports from U de Chile:Centro sismológico nacional (University of Chile: National seismological center) said that it was a 7,4, and the epicenter was about 30 miles west of Illapel, Chile (about 180 miles away from Santigo).  As I checked out the map of where Illapel was I couldn’t believe that it was that far away and felt so strong here in Santiago. (At that moment I was thinking “I definitely don’t want to feel anything bigger than that).  

Little did I know they would end up rerating it to an 8,3 later in the night. They evacuated the coast line of all of the country. Over 1 million people moved inland. As far as I know now, no one has died due to a tsunami or the huge waves that crashed into the shore. (Compared to the 500 people that died in the 2010 earthquake due to the tsunami that resulted after.) Chile really stepped up their safety plans for evacuations, or so I have been reading ever since 2010.

All through last night I kept feeling the aftershock earthquakes (is this the right term?). One time, I woke up at 1 am to some more trembling. I thought it was my alarm on my phone vibrating at first telling me it was 6am (I had to run to the PDI and the Registro civil to get papers for my visa this morning), but it was just another temblor. And still today there have been more earthquakes around the area of the 8,3 one. I haven’t felt any in Santiago, but I don’t know how normal this is to have this many more earthquakes after a big one.

After experiencing this earthquake, I have gained more respect for Mother Nature and our world. This earthquake has shown me that we are only visitors on this planet, and can never really be certain when/where different natural disasters can occur. Yes, we have technology to help predict the oncoming of nature’s different phenomena, but in the end we can never truly know what is going to happen until it happens.

My hearts go out to all of those affected by the earthquake and to the 10 people who have lost their lives. I hope the death toll stops there.

With love from Santiago,

Leslie

    

Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America!

This last Saturday I traveled to Buenos, Aires! (Argentina... if you didn't know) I have always wanted to venture out there, but have never had the funds. It is an amazing city! I L-O-V-E-D it!!!! And I didn't want to leave, but I had a life in Santiago, and needed to come back. (Besides, it is the Fiestas Patrias this week, and what kind of Chilean at heart would I be if I didn't celebrate. It's only the most important celebrating of the year, if you don't count celebrating Chile winning the Copa America in July). Anyways, I'll get back to the blog. 

I traveled to Buenos Aires sola. This was actually my first time traveling internationally solo. I was really nervous, but I knew this trip would provide me a chance to work on my self-confidence (Which can be a little low sometimes). It didn’t hit me that I was traveling to another country until I landed, went through Argentinian customs, and made it to my hotel room. (I splurged a little. :) When I sat down on my bed I finally realized that I wasn’t in Chile anymore. I was in unknown territory, and it was time to explore.

Day 1

Right before I left for Buenos Aires I found out there was an old theater that was turned into a bookstore, El Ateneo. Since I love reading and bookstores are my second home, I could hardly contain my excitement to go and see this place. Plus, books are cheaper in Argentina. This meant that'd it be a great place to stock up on some Spanish novels. (or so I thought…)

My first afternoon in Buenos Aires was dedicated to going to this bookstore, A. It was a nice 25 minute walk from my apartment, and when I arrived it was AMAZINGLY beautiful. This was the second time I fell in love in Argentina. However, due to inflation, the prices of books were almost equivalent to Chilean prices…and my love slowly morphed into sadness.The place was still incredibly awesome though. Here are some pictures:

Day 2

In the morning I walked to the cemetery Recoleta. It was amazing! It is filled with elaborately designed tombs of families and people. Evita Peron is buried here as well. Some of these tombs go 2 floors underground. A lot of them had alters in them and places that family members could come to pray. It amazes me how different death is viewed here in Latin America compared to the States. Here are some pictures:

  After I walked around a while in the cemetery I went to a feria artisanal (just a local artisanal market) that was held in Plaza Francia (it is only on Sundays from 11am-7pmish, if you would like to go). Here I bought some gifts for my lovely friends/family back home.

About 1pm I walked back to my hotel. I rested for a bit and then headed out to my first official tour of the trip. “On the Trail of Pope Francis”, it was run by the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and free. Pope Francis has really fascinated me and I wanted to go and find out more about him. It he just an amazing leader and really practices what he preaches. To start the tour, I headed to the Basilica San José de Flores. At the Basilica I saw an artist painting a painting of one of the confessionals in the church. I wondered why he was painting that part of the church, but I didn’t ask because he was so concentrated on his work. (On the tour I found out that he was painting the confessional where Pop Francis had his first calling to become a clergy of the Church. I think it is supposed to be presented to him this year.)

The tour was on a bus, and in Spanish. It was my first real test of if I could understand argentine Spanish. The tour took you all over the city to see where Pope Francis spent his time and grew up before he became Pope. The tour guide was amazing too! He was very animated and made the topic very interesting. If you have time, and are interested in the Pope’s history, you should definitely do this!   

Well that is all I have time for writing now.. I have to go plan a private lesson. I will write about Day 3 and 4 tomorrow! Chao! 

SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW! SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!

I am happy to announce that the 2015 school year is about to commence for my school tomorrow... at least for teachers at my school! As much as I love summer vacation and relaxing... I am more than ready to go back to school and start organizing my classroom and getting things ready for the students.

This year I will be a homeroom/English teacher for 1st grade. Before moving to Santiago I never thought I would teach this young of an age. I am nervous, but excited to meet my new students.

On top of teaching this first semester I am taking 3 online courses. (1 geography, 1 geology, and 1 education class)... so I will have my work cut out for me this next 4 months... I also need to find time to fit my running into this schedule. Hmm. this should get interesting, but like my mom always said, "There are 24 hours in a day... Utilize them."

Well, I guess that's all I have to say right now.. Have to get back to the books.

Chao!
Leslie

I'm Back!

It's summer vacation right now in Santiago, and of course I decided to come home to visit my fam for a bit. I am also preping for the new school year. My school moved me to 1st grade English... I thought 2nd grade was young, but 1st grade... I'm excited, scared, nervous, and almost ready for the new school year to start. I have been working on making different things for the classroom. I'll probably post them in between working on my 3 online classes that I have (I am finishing them so I can jump right into the education program at UWM right when I get home from Chile in January) 

This weekend I worked on a Job Chart. My plan is to cut out the different jobs and assign them to different students. everyday or every week. In total I created 20 jobs for my students to do. There is also a vacation spot for students who don't need to do anything that day/week. I hope this helps build a sense of responsibility in them. Here's a preview (You can get the set if you'd like at my TPT store. :) 

Enjoy, 

Leslie 

The Emotions of Waiting for the Bus in Santiago.

Bus schedules are nonresistant in Santiago, Chile. It's more of a game of chance when you wait for the bus. Will it come in the next few minutes or half hour later. You just never know. So here is how the emotions of a person change as they wait for the bus in Santiago, Chile. 

Arrival at the Bus Stop (0 minutes waiting) 

If your a gringo your excited about exploring this city or going to see something new. You have some awesome music playing on your MP3 player. You think nothing can bring you down cause your levels too high. Google maps said your bus will arrive in about 5 minutes. 

Waiting (5 minutes waiting) 

Still feeling the excitement of  being in this amazing city. Level still too high to be brought down. 

Still Waiting (15 minutes waiting) 

Google maps lied, but maybe the bus is just stuck at a red light. Your optimism is still pretty high, but you start to doubt this bus is coming.  

Still Waiting (20 minutes waiting) 

Yes, Google definitely lied, but then if there's no official schedule of buses how can Google tell me a time. You realize your foolish ways of trusting Good Maps. Your optimism starts to fade, and you check the bus stop sign to make sure your actually at the right bus stop. The bench is open so you take a seat, and your excitement starting decrease. You just want the bus to come. 

Still Waiting (25 minutes waiting) 

You start to doubt the legitness of public transportation. You want to take a taxi, but you didn't bring cash only your card and your BIP (Buss pass). Excitement of trip is pretty much gone. All you want to do is to be at your destination. As you sit on your perch you look across the street and see 6 of the buses you want to take going in the opposite direction you need, and sigh to yourself. 

Still waiting (35 minutes waiting) 

What the H***. This bus should have been here by now you think. You have seen 3 more buses drive in the opposite direction and have given up all faith in Public transportation and humanity. You start to walk and think it will get you to your destination faster or at least you will get to the next bus stop before the bus comes.  

Walking (40 Minutes after waiting)

The bus passes you as you leave the bus stop. You feel nothing. 

Ok, so this is an exaggeration.. and it doesn't happen ALL the time, but some days it does. As long as you have some good music as a companion you can make it through this. 

Happy Hump Day! Have a good rest of the week!

~Leslie    

 

The Honey Moon is OVER

The honeymoon period of my time in Santiago is OVER. It has finally sunk in that I am here for a while, and the homesickness has come along with that. I've had a tough past week/week and a half, but I think it's starting to turn around.

My first incident happened when my dog back in The States had to be put down two weeks ago. She was old and when I left I know it could be a possibility that she would pass away. Still 14.5 years is a long time to have a pet. She was around for more than half of my life.

My second not good incident was when I got back from Puchilemu (where we spent the 18th of September I'll write about in another post) I discovered I had a horrible case of lice. Michan (Michelle) helped me for the first couple of days until the adults were gone. She also got a hold of my principal to see if I should stay home from school the next day. She said, 'No just put up your hair and come'... Lice are common down here, and they aren't dangerous.. Just a pain in the boooty and spread fast.

When I found out I had it I bought some huge garbage bags and out everything in them until I could wash them.. I actually still have my pillows and sleeping bag in one.. I haven't had time to take them out to shake them yet. After the first 2 days all of the adults were gone... now I'm just trying to make sure all the nits are out and babies.. (Yesterday I didn't find anything in my hair! :) hopefully I am on the way to being completely lice freee!)

You can say I am a kind of expert on the Lice topic now. I researched and looked up everything about them. I have no idea where I got it from... But I didn't realize I had them probably for a couple of weeks because the itching didn't start until then, which is normal. I also read that it can take up to 2-3 weeks until after they are gone for the itching to go away.. (GAH!) Oh, and the itching is an allergic reaction to the bites.

Yes, these have been trying weeks and all I wanted to do was go home. But last Friday was a good day. I led the 2nd grade class in Social Studies and taught them how to make paper snowflakes. They were too cute. (The students and the snowflakes). Just having a short day was nice too, and my friend Javi helped make my week better too!

I just need to focus on making me happy at the moment and not worry so much about everyone else.

Have a good Monday ya'll!

<3 Leslie

La Vega, El cemetario general, and Sunday Funday

Last Sunday's adventure began with Michelle and I going to  La Vega and El cementerio general. We needed to buy some veggies for this week because we are on vacation from school and needed to make lunches for the week (Forgot to say our school gives us lunch for free... So it saves us a ton of money on food). Before going to La Vega we went to the Cemetery. As far as I know it's the only one I've see in Santiago... I'm sure there are a others, but this is the main one. A lot of famous people are buried there. near where we entered we saw Violeta Parra's grave. She's a famous Chilean compose/artist.

 We were really on a mission to find Bernardo O'Higgin's grave (We heard it was there.. or at least Michelle heard it was there). He was a major leader in the Chilean Independence from Spain in the early 1800's, and was the first president of Chile from 1817-1823. It would have been pretty cool to see where he was buried.

On our hike through the HUGE cemetery, I noticed that people aren't buried underground in a traditional sense. Instead they have tombs where lots of people can be laid to rest. I don't really know how to describe them.. here's a picture.  Some of them are 2 or three stories high. (Note.. the organization to this cemetery is almost nonn existent.. Typical Chile you can say)

There are also family tombs where 6 or 8 family members are buried. Some were really fancy while others were more simpler. I failed to get pictures of these. I actually felt awkward taking these pictures as it is. People also take time to decorate their ancestor's burial sites. this one had a little garden around it.

 
 Other people it seemed like it were buried in a more of a traditional manner.

 
 After a little while of dealing with the chaos we decided to come back and do a tour. A night tour. So that we can understand better the how/why/who/what/where/when's of el cementerio general.

We went to La Vega and bought veggies and strawberries. We are going to make jam today.. or at some point before the strawberries go bad. After we didn't want to go home right away because it was such a beautiful day so we ate lunch at La Vega and then sat in a little island of grass across from the Mercado Central (essentially a fish market.. I've never been there.. Big tourist area) and relaxed.

Mercado Central (Central Market)

We then decided Bella Vista was calling our name for a drink. We walked there with out bags and sat outside and sipped a corona. While watching this amazing magician do card tricks.. He turned the old deck into the 7 of clubs and back into a regular deck... It was AMAZING! I couldn't figure out how he did it.

After a liter of corona we headed home and played cards. Carioca. I am definitely showing  everyone back in that states how to play it when I get home. It's kind of like phase ten in a way, but cooler. 

ANYWAYS.. that was the end of my weekend/beginning of my spring break here in Chile. Now I'm just trying to figure out what the plan is for the 18th of September. (Chilean independence day.. well actually not, but that'ss when we celebrate the independence... it's the day that the first government of Chile met and said we ain't apart of Spain no more.. then they fought for the next 8 years until they won.)

Suerte y feliz 18 de septiembre! 

Leslie