Santiago, Marzo 20, 2013

Santiago, Marzo 20, 2013

I now have settled in, connected with the school, have attended my first class. And, I have moved in with my family, Marcela and Walter, little by little find the same song, learning the melody of new friends, earning my way as a son, friend, hermano.  And bonus bucks of another couple from California, both retired as I, with somewhat similar teaching and state government backgrounds, but much more traveled and bilingual than I, good for my transition.

Early impression of Santiago is very positive. It is by far the cleanest city I have visited in S. America, possibly the partial result of economic success, and more progressive attitude. There certainly is the presence of national pride as everywhere else in S.A., but not to the exclusion of adopting foreign influence or idea. Downside is the high cost. It is expensive here, relative to my previous travels, and prices for many things parallel those in the states. It looks like the expense will change some of my grander plans. But, I think I will still find ways to visit many places.

In fact, my first Saturday, I did trek into the mountains nearby, perhaps a 30-50 mile distance away. We left the city in two minibuses, 20 pasenjeros total, to view volcano and glacier. About a ten-mile round trip into a glacial setting, but not quite sure how much the ascent was. I do know that several of the youth slowly dropped back, stringing like ants behind. Despite my grandfatherly status in the group of kids, I outmatched most, and equaled all, but that was unimportant. The joy was the ability to climb, to view the beautiful valley between the multiple colors in the mineral laden walls of the mountains surrounding us. Little vegetation on those lateral slopes, but reflections and display of dripping stains from iron, magnesium, copper, gypsum and other deposits. So, there were reds, yellows, greens and blues to attract the many mining activities found in Chile. Though I did not knowingly see any, Chile is one of only two countries that have deposits of lapis (Afghanistan is the second).

A few of us tried to get close to the peak of Mt. Morado, but had not sufficient time to succeed. We did get to the saddle ridge where the glacier begins. Rewarded with an excellent view of the valley below toward Bano, the small hamlet where the trail began. Jackie, our guide, called us down, to return to our buses and Santiago.

Thus, in my first full weekend I have experienced both city and country setting, a great beginning. I am not sure what I will encounter this first full week that comes, but it appears there are numerous opportunities. And so the potential influence and impact of other cultures, people, and landscape surrounds me, impossible to predict. I welcome that.

New strangers on other paths await

New places that have never seen you
Every time you leave home
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.

When you travel, you find yourself

Alone in a different way
More attractive now
To the self you bring along,
Your more subtle eye watching
You abroad; and how what meets you
Touches that part of the heart
That lies low at home.

A journey can become a sacred thing

Make sure before you go to note the time
To bless your going forth
So that the compass of your soul
Might direct you toward
The territories of spirit
Where you will discover
More of your hidden life. (J. O´Donahue)