all she wrote

December 22nd. wow. At times, I thought this day would never come. At others, I couldn't believe how fast life was passing by! The reality is, it's here. It's time to pick up and leave Chile. Tomorrow. crazy. In some ways this is reminiscent of the end of college. Everyone is going in different directions, I don't know what lies in front of me, I'm broke...On the other hand, it's different because Chile will continue to chug along. My host mother will still buy bread each afternoon, go to church on Sunday nights and worry about every aspect of her son's lives. Chile will elect a new president, the students will continue to protest, vendors will continue to sell used pens, pirated CDs, band-aids and peaches from the same cart.

In this sense, it's comforting to think that when and if I come back (I'd love to come back and travel more in the south of Chile), not much will have changed. I know that Sunday will involve a huge lunch followed by coffee and dessert and the standard conversation bouncing from weather to family gossip with silly humor mixed in. In Chile, family is the highest priority.

Not money, fame, possessions--as much as American influence is trying to change that. Life moves a tad bit slower here. People complete one or two tasks a day instead of trying to "fit" or "squeeze" everything in over the lunch hour. Lines are standard. The bank, grocery store, pharmacy, bus. Waiting is a way of life and Chileans learn from a young age that impatience will get you no where here. I've definitely taken away the virtue of patience here. I'm guessing it'll take me a second to get used to drive through, self-checkout and driving my own car.

In the end, all things must come to and end. And this is yet another end in my life. I'm blessed and fortunate enough to have experiences many only dream of and for that I am endlessly thankful and humbled. Nonetheless, goodbyes are difficult. My host family has been a rock for me this year and without the stability of my host mother, I don't know what I would've done. (I even managed to make a peanut butter addict out of her!) I learned a lot through my first year of teaching and I've been able to travel to the top and bottom of Chile. When I write it all down, I've done a lot. At times, I've been bored, cold, frustrated and lonely. At others, (like now!), I've been energized, inspired and surrounded by loving people.

This is a super random post but I think I'm going to keep it as such. Such is life in Chile. RANDOM. así no más. :)

Off to pack while pumpin' the reggatón beats.

Chao pescaooooo.