#24

~~ HOME !! ~~

The last ring of the school bell and tears started to flow.



The girls got as many e-mail addresses and last-minute photos that they could from their new friends.













At the airport it was just families, and once our flight was called, tears again. Sad to leave our new families and friends behind us. Last sight of Santiago was just a blur of nighttime lights.

There were tears off and on well into the flight … which was very very long. About 18 hours in all.

Our first sight of Portland was sun and clear skies and the ocean shore. At the terminal it was a quick group-hug “see ya later” then off to find our families. Tears again, of joy and “so glad to be home!”

Maine. A perfect, beautiful summer day. A perfect welcome home.

During our trip home we talked about many mixed feelings. Realizing that part of each of us will always now be in Santiago, and part of Santiago will always be in us. We are now forever slightly different from those around us, changed, subliminally unique. Enriched.

Our next step is to organize the accounts our journey in order to share it with others. Hopefully this will create a ripple effect of experiences so that others will catch the vision and be moved to become involved as well.

Here are some of the girls comments after a few days at home in Maine.

LEO:
So yesterday we came into portland at 12:30. As we were landing, i could see a familiar place that did not look so familiar anymore. I had made a new home in a new country with new friends and a new family...I was not ready to leave all that but i had no choice. I got off the plane, saw my dad and was thankful to have made it home. But it was very weird hearing only english in the airport.

The first thing i did was i went to subway. When the guy asked if american cheese is what i wanted i say “Sí” (with the accent but we dont have it here). Also on my new cell phone that i got right after, i changed the set up for my date to the way they do it in chile on the food products. dd, mm, yy....:( to remind me of my other home). I kept saying ‘cómo’, ‘qué’ and ‘sí’ yesterday when i hung out with my friends.

When i stepped into my house, it felt a little weird. The heat was getting to me. It must have seemed like it was 100 because coming back from a cold climate makes the weather seem hotter than it actually is. I went into my room and saw everything basically the way i left it. I showed my dad the gifts my family had gotten him and my mom...

i KEPT and still, call my chilean parents mom and dad, too, because i feel like they are. I miss them all very much, all my pictures are hanging in my room. It feels so weird being home, i wish i could have stayed longer...They are my other family that i love...

I received an email from my little brother today, and it almost made my cry because he told me how sometimes he sees people that remind him of me and images me there...

well i am home and i will have to face reality now, but in my car i only listen to reggaton and right now i am watching “Ray” in spanish..
Exchange student number 1, Chile summer of 05'
...first crew to go..right girls? lol


NAT:
Being home and going to Wendys was great. Seeing my family and my friends was also soo fantastic, but i find myself having Chile withdrawal. Showering in my shower, sleeping in my bed an typing on an english-speaking keyboard felt completely new.

I'm getting back into my routine and it feels good to have my own life back. But I have cried a lot since yesterday because I tried to explain to my mom, about all of my friends and inside jokes. I have gone to Wal Mart to develop pictures and i think that I ordered 350!!!.

I still wish I was back in Chile, I miss my friends and I miss school so much. I think about going back to McAuley on Thursday, and I wish that i went to Colegio de los Andes.

I love and Miss you all, (thats another thing, i miss seeing all of us Gringas everyday) and i will see you soon!!!!
xo MUAH xo, ciao,
Natalie



MARISSA:

Yeah, it's still a little bit weird for me. I drove for the first time today, and it was so strange. Ha. But it's nice to be back and breathe in fresh air! And it's odd to go from wearing layers and my winter coat to shorts and a T-shirt!

We drove by McAuley and I'm amazed at how the Field of Dreams is coming along. And how looking at McAuley makes me forget I've been 5,000 miles away from it and everything I call home. But, it is good to be back and catch up on everything I missed here. I have enjoyed educating my friends and family about the politics, culture, and lifestyle that is Chile.

#23
* heading home ... it´s gonna be a loooong day *

We`re at CPH-CJA (school) today ... enjoying a BEAUTIFUL Andes morning here ... clear and sunny ... spending our last moments with all the new friends we´ve made. Classes end at 2 today, so we´ll all head to our own homes here, grab our luggage, then off to be at the airport by 6 for a 8:30 pm flight... we´ll be in Portland in about 25 hours. (the photo to the left is what is directly behind the school, the right is the school ... beautiful, no?)

Girls are busy saying good-byes and taking last-minute photos of all their friends. It´s becoming increasingly emotional ... but wonderful! I´m so pleased to see the impact of this trip on the lives of these young ladies! And I also know that their enthusiasm will spread to others so they will catch the vision of this great¨"intercambio" with Chile ... and any country.

I had a meeting with the founders and directors of the school today. They have been so generous and helpful ... there work here over the last 25 years has been amazing. And, as we all agree: The world is getting "smaller" as we move toward the future so international relations are becoming increasingly vital.

See you all soon!

Blessings from Chile ... for now ...

"Hasta luego, Chile"

And in the final words of Padre Hurtado

(soon to be Saint Alberto Hurtado):

"Contento, Señor, contento."

#22
* we fly out tomorrow *

It´s hard to believe that our final day in Chile is nearly upon us. There have already been some tears shed and everyone has been trying to cram everything they bought into their suitcases. We will be at CPH-CJA school tomorrow ... all the girls wanted to come for a last bit of time with their new friends here. We´re torn between wanting to stay and being ready to come home.

It has been an amazing experience, this month. Yesterday we cooked our "breakfast" - cranberry or blueberry coffee bread and hot chocolate with marshmallows - for the directors, English teachers and chilean siblings and friends. Ms. Dubi and Leonora had a meeting with the Directors of the whole school and the directors of the Exchange program. We reviewed the objectives, expectations, and initial evaluation of the present Exchange. We also analyzed some possibilities for the future ... including a common web page for shared language activities between the classes! Many ideas to be considered and worked out.

Leo: So today is our next to last day :( At the beginning of the month, I really thought this would go by slowly, but as the month progressed on, I felt like one of the family and I understood more Spanish. I really do not want to leave because I have made new friends and a new family. A family that i have never had and always dreamed of having. Now i have two great familes in two great places.

Today, FIRST period, i got to teach my little brother, Benja, in english class. He is in third grade and the teacher is awesome. The class is so sweet and they all were asking wonderful questions. I got to spend time with my little bro and took many many pics. The teacher told me that the kids will never forget this day or me. That made me feel wonderful....I love them.

This month has been so life changing, I have seen so many different places in Chile. I am definitly going to come back. I hope many other girls at McAuley get to experience this wonderful journey like the 6 of us did. I know all of us in a way want to go home but in another way don`t want to go ... But memories have been made and they can never be erased.

Some times in life you have to leave a familiar place to go to an unfamiliar place to find out where you came from. Everyone here has taught me something about this place that i will cherish forever. Tomorrow will be sad, but it will not be goodbye...It will be a thank you and cya later...I am looking forward to sharing all my memories and talk about my great new friends with my family back home...`

Peace 1
::Leo::

Nat:
So I started packing last night and I was amazed to find how much I have bought. I decided to separate all of my gifts from they´re massive bags, into smaller packages. Each one, made me smile and hope that the person recieving it loves it. During this trip, I have spent money, ate food, had fun, and grown as a person. I had my 15th birthday here, and that day, I learned who my real friends, that I have made here, are.

The hardest part about leaving this wonderful place, is that I have grown attached to Chile, its people, my family, the customs, and my new found Chilean friends. I have been going out with the other Gringas all weekend long, and the most repeated thing, that we all agree on is this: "I am ready to go home, but I am not ready to part with Chile". I think about getting on that plane, and I shed a tear at the thought, of leaving this chapter in my life, behind me.

Chile holds a special place in my heart, and I will never, truely, leave it behind. This is not "goodbye" its just a "hasta luego" and we will meet again.....someday!

Corinne:

July 27, 2005 seems like a whole lifetime away. I cant believe that it has been 4 whole weeks simce we left Maine and tomorrow we will be on the last leg of our trip. Thinking of it now it is all i can do to try and think of all the happy memories i will leave with instead of all the people i will be leaving behind. Packing last night and seeing all of the things i had bought brought both tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. Everyone here has been so welcoming especially all the families that opened up their homes to us, and all of the new friends we have made here.

The phrase that best describes the felling in all of us is "We are ready to go home, but we are not ready to leave Chile." It will be one of those bitter sweet moments when the best way to say good-bye is not good-bye but simply "ciao" for now, until we meet again!

Marissa:

In an English class today, I was asked whether or not I'd recommend this exchange experience to other people. I thought about it, and realized that I would try to convince others to go to another country, because it's more than I ever anticipated. It's not just what I thought it would be, which was studying and improving my knowledge of Spanish. It's been completely educational, in that I've learned more than I think I ever have in just one month.

I've discovered the universal things between people, that no matter what language they are speaking, the goofy moments and the showing of one's love to another is the same here, as I realize it must be worldwide. And it's necessary to be taken out of your country, to gain a whole new perspective. I know now with certainty how the Chileans, as a whole, feel about President Bush and Americans (or United Staters, as it is more politcally correct to Chileans but grammatically incorrect to us.)

And while the language is most obviously an element to being an exchange student, it's only a small part of the whole experience. Yes, I understand Spanish more, and yes I've got the verb tenses drilled in my brain, but it's almost negligible to the entire point. To learn about a whole culture, country, and more about my own country, is something that can only be done on a trip like this.

Daphne:

The day before we left Maine to come here to Chile, I was upset. I was disappointed to leave home, and I really thought the timing was wrong. I just didn't want to go. And now, the day before we leave Chile for Maine, I am distraught. I feel the same as I did before we came here, only it is more poignant.

I really, REALLY, do not want to leave here. I have met so many amazing people, and had so many great times, that I don't want any of it to end. My family and I went out on a limb to send me here for the experience, and I can safely say that I realize now that I have only lived because I came here. I am going to miss my 'family' here, the Mendias. They were always there for me, making sure I was comfortable, and treated me as a part of the family. Sure, they spoke in a different language some of the time, but that made it all the more interesting.

Everything I did here challenged me, tried to make me step out of the box that living in one environment has created for me. I feel that I HAVE stepped out of the box, maybe even jumped out. All the people I met at school, out of school, just everybody, helped me do this. Being here in Chile for a month has changed who I am, in a way, for the better. I am still me, but I have a different outlook on life and on just living. There is so much out there for me, and I can not wait to explore it all and find out what life has in store for me.

I want to thank everybody for making this such an experience for me, and I can assure you, I promise everybody that I am coming back. I don't know when and I don't know how, but I want to do it and I feel I need to. That is one of the things I learned here...

... if you want to do something, and you feel that you should, do it. Chances are, it's the only chance you'll have, so take adantage of it!

#21
¡¡ Feliz cumpleaños a la Quinciniera, Natalie !!

Today, August 19th, is Natalie´s 15th birthday. In Latin American countries this is a BIG deal. She has some big plans for tonight to celebrate ... along with 3 other Chilean girls who are celebrating too. FELIZ CUMPLEÑOS, Natalie!

Yesterday we spent the day going to the mountains and skiing! The ski resort we went to was El Colorado. It took about 2 hours to get there, up crazy mountain roads with hairpin turns, between mountains dotted with brush and cliffs and a few cows or horses and tiny homes. One spot had a delicate waterfall in the distance near Las Manzanitas (¨little apples¨).

Once we hit the higher elevations, near the snow line, we could see Santiago and the surburbs in the cistance, blanketed in smog between tiny hills.

Most of the day was cloudy until the afternoon when the sun broke through and made all things beautiful! The skiing was great, the temperature like Spring Skiing in Maine. Two or three of the girls and Miss Sonia (who was the Chilean teacher at McAuley last spring) took an hour lesson. Others of us split up according to abilities. Everyone was with a group and we had a great time. I must say that Leonora improved tremendously! She went from a basic beginner lesson in the morning to near intermediate by the afternoon! It was beautiful.

Today is a session at the school where many other school groups from Santiago are joining in to celebrate the canonization of Chile´s own Padre Hurtado. The boys side of our school here is named for him. He was an extremely hard-working, loving, and giving man who, during the first half of the 1900s brough great relief to the youth and impoverished of Chile. Many areas of Santiago are named in his honor. He will soon be Chile´s Saint.

The girls and I spent the afternoon Wednesday doing some gift shopping at the Artisanía of Santa Lucía. We were trying to focus on Chile-made specialties, but did get distracted by so many other items. After an ice cream we headed home. The Metro (subway) here is very modern and clean and efficient. It only costs about 75cents and you can ride to most of the city. From where I leave the girls with their parents, metro exit La Escuela Militar, to my home in Las Cisternas, it takes me just about 45 minutes. And, believe me, Santiago is a huge sprawling city.

One of our blog readers wrote and asked me if everything is old here .. no! But it is quite a mix of old and new. Alot of what I have posted on the Blog are historical buildings and such. But there are major areas in Santiago that are experiencing a building boom and expansion. The major roadways are being updated to be more efficient. When driving on one, your car is automatically tallied by a toll counter. There are buildings that are beautifully modern and well-designed. Technologically the country is very up-to-date with Web Cafés and most families from middle income up have computers, laptops, cellphones, and internet links. Certain central areas of the city have advertising with huge TV screens, like Time Square. When the days are clear and sunny (like today) the city is beautiful.

They country is working on modernizing in many ways. Pollution control and litter laws are underway, but some of these things take years to experience the trickle-down effect to everyone. Some habits are hard to change. I remember it took a couple decades in the US to notice the effect of the litter and anti-pollution laws. It´s beginning to happen here, too. Some areas of town are spotless, others need work.

Santiago is more like a city-state than a city. 5 million people in this one valley, spread into every nook and crany, yet there are still areas of untouched land and some beautiful parks within the hugely developed segments. New trees are planted everywhere along the streets to help clean the air. The youth of Santiago, especially those who attend schools like CPH/CJA, are far-seeing and consciencious of caring for their country for the future. The Spirit of Padre Hurtado infuses the city with Charity for those in more need than oneself. Their pride in their soon-to-be-Saint is awakening and even greater love for their fellow beings here in Santiago.

#20

7 days ... count them …1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... until we leave.

Natalie & Corinne:

When we first arrived I was kind of counting the days until we would be returning home but now I wish we were staying here for another 4 weeks! (sorry, mom). It’s been such a wonderful experience and one that I will always remember. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye to the people who opened up their homes to us and treated us like we were a part of the family.

Enough of the depressing thoughts of leaving ... probably one of the major things that we (by "we" I mean Corinne and Natalie) are going to miss is the friends we´ve made, especially some boys! The main reason why is because they are easier to talk to, they´re friendlier. When we walk into a room to attend class, it’s not the girls to say ¨hola¨ first, its the boys. (Only some of the girls that we have met have been totally open to getting to know us better.) They take interest in knowing about aspects in our lives. We laugh more, have more fun, and enjoy ourselves more ... also, they make us feel like royalty, telling us that we are beautiful. Here, we feel special, and in the U.S., we know that we wont get this attention.

Having the time of our lives, in Chile!!!

Ciao, Natalie and Corrine

#19

Fotos from the "El Centro" field trip

*La Moneda - the Presidental offices and site of the 1973 Military Coup.


*Statue of President Allende who was killed during the coup.


*Monument on the Hill of Santa Lucia, where the founder of Santiago first viewed the valley.



*Some of the McAuley girls after climbing to the top of Santa Lucia.



*El Correo - the post office.




*Inside the ancient church of San Francisco.




*Some of the McAuley girls, Chilean students, Ms.Dubi, and an exchange student from California at lunch.


*Leigh trying on some sunglasses!

#18

from a parent: These youngsters are indeed very resilient. My daughter has handled all sorts of changes while she has been there and been able to get beyond anything overly trying. Thanks to you for being there for them. I heard that the first power point presentation went well (we all get a case of nerves doing oral presentations -- I can't imagine doing one in a foreign language where the audience gets to ask questions!) I hear the softball demonstration was a big success too. The phone cards are working fine. Thanks for everything you are doing.

Dubi: We had a great field trip today to the Center of Santiago -- a beautiful hill from which we could see most parts of the city, the National Library that had a great exhibition about creating Dialogues of Peace in the World, areas of colonial and famous buildings of the city, and La Moneda which has an amazing history in the country, including being the site of the Military Coupe of 1973. It was facinating and emotional. It was there, in ´73, that the popularly elected Socialist President Allende was killed by the soon-to-be Military Dictator Pinochet. The dictatorship lasted about 15 years and now Chile has a strong history of democratically elected presidents. At this point the country is in the process of elections in December for the next president, and the forerunner is a woman! A few of the Chilean students came with us on the field trip and had prepared some tri-fold brochures with photos for us .. they were bilingual, written and illustrated by the students themselves. There was good interaction between all the students ... a great day to solidfy the relationships created in the exchange. (I will get more photos up as soon as I can.)

#17

** Thursday, August 11th, 2005 **

Yesterday we passed our half-way mark of our month here in Chile. At lunch yesterday a few of the girls mentioned how they don´t want to leave and 2 weeks is coming way too quickly. It´s been a very busy week with their PowerPoint presentations to the school and two field trips.

Tuesday we went to the coast to visit the home of the famous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda - the house was amazingly creative and individualized. It is on a hill overlooking the ocean - a beautiful panoramic view. His bedroom had huge wall-sized windows overlooking the shore and he always tilted his bed diagonally in the room so that no matter how he and his wife woke up, they could see the sea. The home was filled with amazing collections, from ship-prow figureheads, bizarre insects, to African sculptures, Asian masks, seashells and a narwhal tusk. We could touch the desks he actually wrote on for a bit of creative inspiration.

Then to another costal town, Valparaiso, where the Congress is located. The countrside between was filled with vineyards everywhere. Valparaiso is built amongst hills, and every tiny bit of space seems filled with layer upon layer of colorful houses, situated precariously on the hillsides. We toured el Congreso building, but neither the Congress nor the Senate were in session. The building itself was beautiful. One aspect is a huge marble relief of the Chilean shield - it is designed to split into twelve separate parts in the case of an earthquake. That way none of it gets damaged! I would love to know the engineering mechanics of that.

Yesterday after classes, we all went to the Feria de los Dominicos. where I went last weekend. It´s a quaint artisan area behind a beautiful church. It´s not so much of a tourist trap, but more for artists and artisans to create and sell their artworks in small studios and shops that altogether resemble a small town. I would love to have a studio there myself!

Tomorrow we´re off to tour the Center of Santiago, to the famous La Moneda (combo Presidential offices and Capitol building with lots of history - especially during the Military Coup of 1973) and other aspects of the city. I HOPE it´s a nice day. Lately it HAS been very nice. Rather warm and sunny (which is great for photos). Maybe about 70 degrees. Some days the smog is worse than others, too, but we are learning to live with that.

# 16
* Monday the 8th *

Another weekend apart, so this morning at school was the talk, talk, talk syndrome. It was a bit of a trick to get the girls off to their classes. A couple were having a bit of a hard time this weekend or today, but they are overcoming all and doing well. I am soooo proud of them!

Tomorrow we´re off to a field trip in Valparaiso near the coast. If the weather stays clear and warm like today and yesterday we should have a wonderful time and get some beautiful photos.

Last Friday was a Reception for the Intercambio at one of the host families´homes. All the families of the McAuley girls and the Directors of the school (CPH/CJA) were there. It was a very nice welcome for us. The girls also had another chance to get together and share their separate experiences.

This last weekend I went to some wonderful artesan markets with "my" family. Some of the girls have gone around to awesome places, too. So, here, I´m putting up some photos.