"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new
experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly
changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -Chris
McCandless
It's been yet another 3 weeks! Wow, it seems overwhelming to
think of how to put the last weeks into words. In biggest news, my friends and
I went on vacation to San Pedro de Atacama, the driest desert in the world in
the very northern part of Chile 🌵
We fit so many adventures into 6 days, whether it was hiking or swimming in
lakes saltier than the Dead Sea or bike-riding to the "Devil's
throat" for the sunrise! I'm currently on a 10-day streak of hours spent
laying on the beach and swimming in the ocean, thanks to the gorgeous weather
we've had 🏖 (sorry Montanans who are roughing out the first snow, I hear)! I'm planning to
go surfing this weekend and most definitely make the most of my 2 months I have
left 🏄🏻. It may
come as a surprise, but I'm also fitting some school in between my adventuring.
All of my classes are going really well and teaching me so much not only about
the actual subjects, but about the Chilean school system too! 🤓
A close friend of mine who just began her 2 years serving as
a Peace Corps ambassador in Cameroon wrote in her blog last week, "[This
country] is a place of dichotomy. It can not be described by a single story
just as America can not be described by a single story. I can only tell my
perspective of [the country] as I see it and that is the one true weakness of
every story. A single story is just that, a single story. A single perspective.
A single vision. My story is one colored by my perspective and my goals."
Oh, how this rang true for me and my experience in Chile! It'd be impossible to
give you the full picture of this unique country and of the study abroad
experience. But, like she said, I can sure try to tell my perspective, as
tainted as it may be by my goals and desires and experiences.
👂🏼
If I was asked what Chile sounds like, I would reply that the relentless
honking of the bus and taxi drivers interrupts the sound of reggatone music
blaring from the discos all hours of the day. All the while, soccer fanatics
are hollering at the TV and sidewalk vendors and ice cream guys on the beach
are shouting at passerbys.
👀 If I was asked what Chile looks like, I would
say the waves are rolling in on the beach in front of you. Turn to the left and
some local artisans are selling drums and jewelry on the sidewalk; on the right
is a group of friends leaning against a graffitied wall sharing a beer and
kicking a soccer ball. Behind you, the Andes mountains create a stunning
backdrop for the dozens of skyscrapers.
👅
If I was asked what Chile tastes like, I would say it's a salad doused in salt and
lemon juice, an appetizer of fresh ceviche with sea bass, an entree of
empanadas with cheese and meat and olives and, of course, alfajores to satisfy
your sweet tooth.
🖐🏼
If I was asked what Chile feels like, I
would say it's the feeling of bodies surrounding you as you show your moves on
the dance floor late at night in the discos or the sand between your toes as
you walk along the beach.
👃🏼
If I was asked what Chile smells like, I would say it's the hot oil from vendors
frying sopaipillas (Indian frybread) on the street or the smell of sweet
fermented wine mixed with pineapple ice cream in a terremoto, one of Chile's
most famous drinks.
Any of you who know me know my love for food and sweet
treats. But more importantly, I believe that food is one of the best insights
into a culture. And so, I've listed some of the most popular Chilean dishes
below. You'll either have to come here yourself to try them out (this seems
like a recurrent plead in all my posts) or concede to me making you some
typical Chilean food when I get back, like I know my boyfriend and friends and
family have planned!
Drinks 🍹
Mote con huesillo: cooked dried peaches and stewed corn made
into a drink
Terremoto: sweet fermented wine made of apples or grapes
mixed with pineapple ice cream
Sides
Sopaipilla: Indian frybread, savory with garlic
sauce/guacamole or sweet with manjar and powdered sugar
Empanadas: fried or baked pastries various fillings: queso
(cheese), pino (meat, onions, olives, eggs), napolitana (cheese, tomatoes, ham,
olives)
Entrees
Lentejas con arroz: lentil and rice stew
Cazuela de ave: chicken soup with potatoes, peas and noodles
Pastel de choclo: Shepherd's pie filled with corn, beef,
onions, eggs and olives
Choripan: chorizo sausage on a bun with typical bratwurst
toppings
Chorrillana: french fries topped with meat slices and fried
eggs (party platter)
Ceviche: minced fish in lemon juice
Baked fish: various baked fish (reineta, merluza, salmon)
seasoned with lemon and salt
Desserts 🍪
Alfajores: cookie sandwich filled with dulce de leche and
covered in chocolate
Manjar: Chilean dulce de leche (similar to a mix of Nutella
and caramel)
If you're mouth isn't watering now, you're just plain loco!
As always, miss you all and please stay in touch! Enjoy the fall weather and
first snow!
Love from Chile,
Kerri 💕
