#21
¡¡ Feliz cumpleaños a la Quinciniera, Natalie !!
¡¡ 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¨). 
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.
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.
posted by McAuley - International at 10:35 AM
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