¡Casi un mes aquí!: My life so far...

2/7/2023

¡Qué lindo! Una frase típica chilena. But in reality, my experience so far has indeed been lindo (lovely as we English speakers say).

It has been about three weeks here in Santiago. Although it feels like much more time has passed by- thanks to the presence I have been able to maintain.

I have been thinking a lot about cities, centralization, capitalism, and urbanization. I grew up in the most opposite of circumstances. Rural, and monotonous demographics. It is hard for me to tell if people actually like living in a city or not. It is stressful, especially when the media has drilled into our minds that these places are dangerous. People are dangerous.

I guess it is true to a certain extent. That the world is a dangerous place. Everyone is mostly just afraid. Afraid people are around more afraid people without realizing it.

I love being immersed in a new language. It is an immense challenge. But an enjoyable one nonetheless. It is very humbling to be a full grown adult speaking with the grammar and depth of a small child. I can tell I am being judged for my North American, English-speaking ways. However I am okay with it. Everyone has been very kind, although I wish I had a bit more confidence to chat with the locals. For me, one of the most interesting parts has been learning how to efficiently use the public transit system and get a sense of direction in this massive city. Also a fun challenge, just a bit more stressful when you don't know where you're going all the time.

I hiked up a mountain last Friday. The tallest peak part of the Andes closest to Santiago. It was a spontaneous hiking trip and I came equipped with little to no gear simply because I left it all home. We began our ascent to 10,600 feet at about 9 in the morning. After hours of desert-like heat, loose rubble, scrambling up boulders, and several breaks for recovery, we summited the monster of a mountain at 7 p.m. Just enough time to witness one of the most astounding sunsets I have seen in my life. For a large part of the journey, I wanted to quit. Or take more breaks. I was with people I didn't know quite well and didn't want to upset the flow, so I sucked it up and kept moving forward. As I was sweating and feeling sorry for myself, I thought of all the people who have walked hundreds of thousands of miles, probably in more treacherous conditions. Some people by choice or lack of better transportation, others were forced to. I think of the Holocaust and also of the indigenous communities.

In many of my classes we have been learning about current events and ideas about the Mapuche indigenous presence in Chile and indigenous presence in all of Latin America. It is hard for me to comprehend how people who once lived caring for the planet and leaving little trace, guided by Mother Earth, are now experiencing extreme loss of their way of life along with the environment. Cities are condensed, capitalized, depredating mega-hubs that call for an existential crisis, all for the sake of a "stronger economy."

Not all is bad however. People make it better and community makes it better. As a dancer, I have already met incredible people and artists who I share commonalities with. Arts have immense power. You cannot walk anywhere in Santiago (well, except maybe Las Condes, the rich and secure area) without seeing graffiti and street art. Powerful words and statements displayed across the corporate office building and all over the McDonald's walls. "Meat is Murder" they say. "ACAB" they say. A way to protest and stand up to capitalism and the greedy beneficiaries.

I am learning to many new things and I am curious to see how this experience of existing in a different plane of reality shapes my return to the U.S. where we more comfortably rest inside the core of the global economy, where those inside unknowingly indulge in delights stripped from the opposite part of the globe.