Ambivalence

We're back from three days in the Andes, hiking up a beautiful and rugged canyon and sleeping in a cave to escape the rains. There is a first for everything. 

Continuing with our short blog posts, I wanted to note a difference between Chile and the US. Like Zack's previous and more profound statements, this also touches at the basis of human civilizations. Nearly all cultures have integrated a basic carbohydrate into their cultural cuisine. In Chile, like the US, this basic carb comes in the form of Bread. In Chile it is common to buy inexpensive loaves of bread each day, baked fresh with fine, bleached flour. In the states, we have access to delicious gourmet breads made with whole-grains, flax seed, you-name-it-specialties but these are generally reserved for special occasions. Our 'everyday' bread lasts for many days and comes pre-sliced in plastic wrapping. I am still ambivalent about which life-style I prefer.

11 days until we fly out.

Orden y la Patria

As I sit here typing, the sounds of a far-off demonstration - cheering, honking of horns, etc... - filters into our apartment. Such sounds are a common thing here and with the constant social dialogue through demonstration, the relationship between the common Chilean and his/her government is often on display in a way that is less frequently seen in the U.S. (although the occupy movement seems to be changing that, at least temporarily).

This train of thought brings me to tonight's observation: The motto of U.S. police is "Serve and Protect". The motto of the Chilean police is "Orden y la Patria", which translates to "Order and Country". UCD pepper spray incident aside, I think this is an appropriate foil for the different obligations of law enforcement in the two countries and the different relationship each country's police forces have with their citizenry.

We're BACK and the Countdown has begun

So, we have no good excuses for our total absence from this blog. Just apologies if you've checked it in the last three months and wondered what in the world happened to us. We're fine - actually we've settled in quite well to our lifestyle in Santiago. Which lead to our lackadaisical blog updating, I think. Here is an overview of what we've done since September, incase you want to know: 1) Worked - mainly with a focus on Chile's wineries, Chile's near-shore fisheries, and California's Sacramento Delta, and 2) Played - experiencing many wonderful things, such as a weekend at a friend's family friends' dairy, traveling to the Pisco Valley, seeing volcan Osorno and Chiloe Island, NOT seeing penguins but enjoying a furious Pacific storm, and many memorable times with friends in Santiago. Truely a shame that we will not be able to post about all these things, but that brings me to my next point.

We are coming home to California in 18 days. So Strange. So if you remember who we are and want to have something to talk about when we get home, feel free to ask about any of the above things that we've done since we last posted! We promise we will be able to tell you some good stories, and they will likely be much better in person than if we were to try and write about them all here.

Our imminent departure also brings up a resolution that we have made...tonight...we'll see how long we can stick to it. Everyday a fellow fulbrighter has been recording something she will miss about Santiago and something she is looking forward to when she returns home. We've modified that, and will try to post something everyday that we recognize as unique about our life here in Santiago. And hopefully how that specific thing will be different (for better or worse) when we get home. So today's thought (from Anna, after a few beers with close friends):

I live on the 20th floor - when I ride the elevator up to my apartment, my ears usually pop. It has been awesome to have such a great view of Santiago, but it will be great to be home and have dirt and grass outside my window again.

Much love to everyone, and we look forward to being home in 2012!

PS:  Zack notes that we will be wandering through the Andes for a few weekends before we fly home, so posting a thought 'everyday' is not really feasible. But we will get online every time we have internet and share a reflection with you all!