Beatles Cover band at Cafe Gringas.

Last night August 27, 2010 I went to a coffee shop in Valdivia that has brewed coffee surprisingly enough, and listened to a group of 4 Chilean guys sing Beatles songs. They were really good! Granted they lip synced, but were still really good at it and even dressed like them. When the Chileans in the pub started singing the words to the songs, I realized music is what ties people together. Even if you don't speak the same language, music is as true everywhere as emotions. We all cry, laugh, get angry and smile the same. This is a universal language everyone understands, and a hug is never over rated. After the concert we talked with some of the band members in a mix of Spanish and English. It was neat for me to hear their stories and how they started getting into the band and playing their instruments. One of the guys who was George Harrison (in the band) took out his guitar and we all started singing songs he played. Some Beatles songs, but some other bands too. It was  a great night, and my first one out late, but we were having a lovely time just sitting outside on the curb of our quiet city. I am jazzed to have more experiences like this one.

Food Blog and More.

So, what I'm especially liking about living in Chile is all the new food I get to eat. I figured if anyone would enjoy this Siri Berg would, so Siri here is a tribute to you and what I've been eating here. I've had a beef stew with vegetables, this cooked spinach thing with turkey, shrimp pasta with cheese, tacos, and lots of new spreads for bread. The patterns of food here is as follows...Breakfast consists of coffee, bread/butter and other spreads. Lunch is the big meal of the day consisting of a main dish like the above foods, a side, and a dessert. Dinner is similar to breakfast but sometimes there is lunch meat or sandwiches. Interesting huh? My favorite thing I've had here was a chicken empanada. It was quite delicious, but the one I had on the street was not very good. But then again...It was mashed meat and different spices. Oh Nathan James, here in Chile I'm having to make myself like cilantro because it is in everything! I can't even believe it. lol

Oh today, I was eating lunch with my host family and they were talking about me... I think they thought I didn't understand, but I did. They said I drink a lot coffee and don't eat enough food. On the contrary, while the coffee thing is true, since I'm kind of addicted and it's been cold, I eat quite a bit. They give really big portions of food at lunch, and everything is delicious, but often I don't eat it all. Then they assume I don't like it. Lately I've been saying at each meal, I like this alot it's really good, but it's a lot of food and I'm full. I think they understand, but it's hard culturally to adapt to that. I don't know how I would have been able to maintain my vegetarian diet here, without seeming rude.

I'm kind of in a funk right now. It's been really rainy and dreary. I was thinking about exploring today my city because it wasn't raining really, but the rain picked up again, but it stopped again. Crazy weather just like Western Washington. Well I miss you all, keep sending those positive thoughts my way.

Chile Blog Numero 1

Well I´ve been here almost a week. I can´t believe how fast time flys. I´m living in a small city called Valdivia  which is 10 hours south of Santiago the capital. I´m almost on the tip of South America, how cool is that? Oh and fyi I´m using a Spanish keyboard, so if I make a mistake please don´t correct me, you know what I mean. In a week I´ve improved so much with my comprehension. :) I can understand the Chilean  Spanish fairly well when it´s not spoken too fast. However, it´s harder at meal times to share in the conversation, but within a month, I´m excited to see where I am. My host family is really nice and outgoing. We are starting to get really comfortable with eachother, and are even able to joke with eachother. My family here includes Gustavo who is 22 and Celia my mom. Christian her other son is visiting now, and he is really nice and fun to chat with. It´s been really cold and wet here. It is their Spring, but it´s more like winter in the Northwest. Since I´ve been here I´ve figured out the public transport, where I live in relation to my university and how to enjoy instant coffee. That is what they drink here, and it´s not that bad. I actually enjoy it, and the milk here is better than the milk in the United States. I started my classes this week, and they are tough! So much Spanish all the time, my brain is on overload and my goldfish attention span doesn´t help either, but I´m figuring it out. To get to school I ride the Micro which is comparable to a miniature, sketchy/ghetto school bus where I pay 170 pesos a trip or a little under $0.25 USD. I also can ride the collectivo to the city for 400 pesos or $1.50 USD. These are comparable to taxis, but they are the driver´s own cars. Interesting fact about Chilean culture...They kiss on the cheek when ever greeted. And, no one talks to eachother on the bus in the morning. I really miss home and electric heat, and hot chocolate, but I´m making do. I love you all so much and hope things are going well for you. That`s about all I´ve been up to this week, getting adjusted and getting my bearings. Tomorrow, Christian and I are going to go to a book store and the market so I can look at some books in Spanish to read, and see the people of Valdivia selling thier hand made items. As we say in Chile, Ciao!