from Saturday, April 14, 2007

So, I had a though the other day….whoa, let me start over.

Good morning. How are you? It's Dave again, and I'm doing well too, thanks for asking. OK. Begin.

So, I had a thought the other day and I didn't know where to go from there. I asked a friend if these general "this is my life" emails were lame, boring or otherwise. He replied, "Well, kinda." He also commented that if I didn't do it, he wouldn't have a reason to read anything. So, I pondered not sending another one out. I mean, what makes my experience so special that I ought to share it so freely. Nothing, and that is exactly the point. What I do by wandering around and making a little money from time to time is nothing special at all. What it does do, however, is drive my folks crazy, because I show up from time to time and begs to sleep in mom's office until the next thing pops up. Fortunately, they are happy to save me and watch me save up both time and energy to get going again. (Thanks!).

But the point of the matter is that my experience isn't special. It's just that I am addicted to writing, so I have to write about it. I also have discovered, that in the process of sharing, I end up getting a lot back. Furthermore, it turns into a free education, as I learn from the first-hand experience of all sorts of folks who are doing amazing things. Some of those amazing things including just staying put! I wish I were able to stay in one spot for a while, but that is not the destiny that has befallen me.

What is my point with this not-so-traveling-normal-fun introduction? It's that I am just a normal dude, who likes writing and has a traveling problem. And I am inspired by all of my amazing friends- uhh, you! You work cool jobs. Live in great places- occasionally letting me invade your couch and floor space. And many of you, as it turns out are also graduating from excellent academic programs. Some of you even just got accepted to other ones.

Again, I wasn't going to do this again, but I just got the feeling that I had to. I have been getting a ton of emails about others' happenings, and it just made me smile and get fired up to write. From the couple I met in El Calafate for those brief bird-watching moments (who, I of course, remember!) to those friends that have known for far too long (and who still put up with my madness!) I am inspired to share stories about my life. Again, for me this is normal. So, who am I to write about it? Just another one of your friends who happens to talk a lot!

Whoa, now that that's out of the way. Here's the scoop.

It was about 3 weeks ago when I wrote you from Gus and Lucy's. That whole ordeal was amazing and ended up on that couch in their apartment for nearly all 10 days I was there. I spent time with Martin as well and we shared a laugh like always! Thanks for putting up with me, y'all. After getting robbed again in the NCAA tournament I think it is safe to say that I still know the Bruins are amazing. I don't find it a coincidence that Florida and Ohio State were in the finals of another college sporting event. After all, both programs have been very well funded recently (Sports Illustrated, March), in academics and athletics (we know which one probably receives more money). Where did this money come from? Rich alumni who are giving back? I don't know… all I can share is my "conspiracy theory" that both of those states were pivotal in two recent presidential elections… and with the new fools running for office, all we hear is about how much money their spending. Suffice to say that other elections might have been influenced by the almighty dollar and that the associated monies could have found their way the "publicly-funded" state university programs… I don't know, I'm just saying it. But what I really am saying is that I am a Bruin till the end and I just don't take losing in basketball very lightly.

Took a flight to Santiago, Chile on April 2nd. This is my third time in Chile and I love this place. This 2 months that I am currently enjoying down here is the extension of a vacation that I started in December. I was originally going to be here for 4 months, but I left after 2… hence the other two are now… cachai? I went home to see friends and family, and for a job interview. Me, job? Yes. And, I just finished all the paperwork today, so I feel as if it is time to share. The job is still not guaranteed, but I can only hope that everything gets in on time and that I clear my background checks and so forth… but if all goes according to plan, I am off to Japan at the end of July. To teach English abroad for a year. Not a bad idea.

The travel addiction had gotten me again, and I have to work like everyone else, so I applied 4 months ago to this program. The short of it is that I have been through a lengthy interview process and I am now waiting as the final checks occur. I don't know any Japanese, but I am looking forward to learning it! And, as I tell you this via email I am reminded that I have a grandmother who doesn't have Internet access. Her name is Lilian and I haven't been able to tell her that I am planning to go to Japan in July. So, if you feel so inclined, please call (not during Perry Mason though) and tell her that I'm going.

Back to here and now, the most important part of all of this madness anyhow… that was an example that I too, get caught in the future. But, it's better for me if I just take care of it all in this present moment, not months from now. I am in Santiago. This is a great place. Very international, as the Chilean capital hosts many different representatives from all over the world who are interested in business and trade. I hear English somewhere on the streets nearly everyday and see all sorts of folks. I've eaten Turkish and Korean foods recently and been lifting weights with a German friend too. But, I did get to eat Pastel de Choclo today, so I am not forgetting about the traditional Chilean lifestyle.

I am renting a small studio in Providencia, a "Cuico" area of the city- yeah it's nicer here, but it's central, so it let's me get around a lot easier. I'll be here writing and I have a lot of work to do! And of course, my hitchhiking addiction just kicked in again, so I am thinking about heading to the north of Chile soon… to the deserts that will be all too familiar, even though I hail from a coastal desert. I'll make sure to write about it and tell you all of the haps.

The latest Passover is the first one in 25 years that I haven't spent with my family. We've held Seders in San Diego, Hawaii and even in Florence when I lived there, but this time I fled the country before Pesach began. (Coincidentally, my airplane dessert was unleavened!) So, I shared the holiday with my bro Dave and his family here. The food was exquisite and I got to recall the story of the Israelites in the desert… in Castellano! And, Castellano is the same thing as Spanish. But that is just what the language is called down here… with the exception of many (ok, tons) of colloquialisms and accents (Argentine and Chilean differences, among other local dialects.) OK, so maybe they are not the same language, but "Castellano" is how "Spanish" is referred to as the "native" language here. Did I make matters too complicated? Probably. Sorry about that.

I'll be in Santiago until the middle of June. The back to my parents' house (YES!) to recharge for a month while I prepare for Japan. I am backpacking this summer, so here's another reminder to folks who may be interested… Utah deserts and/or Sierra Nevada mountains (other ideas are welcome) during July 7-15… I will most likely be in "the nature" more than just that week, but these dates are a starting point…

From facts to something more creative:
Santiago is a wonderful place for me. In only 2 years that I've been back and forth, I've noticed tremendous changes. It's a fun thing to be a part of. The latest is the Transantiago system. I discussed this is a Chilean guy I met in line for a bus recently. This system links the metro with the buses (micros) and you only have to pay one fare. That's about the only positive result. It's not as fun nowadays. The new buses are "modern" and boring. They are long, high-speed caterpillars that grind down the avenues at high speeds and then stop on a dime. They come at regular intervals and have been the source of many lines and hours of waiting. The stopping is at given bus stops and the drivers have no access to money. This contrasts with the wonderful days of the yellow micros. The ones that had their own schedule- to go as fast as possible to pick up as many passengers as possible. The ones that slowed to a roll in the middle of major avenues to allow you to run into the middle of the street and get on while it was still moving. You could then negotiate your fare and end up paying less than the published fare. (If you were me, you might even have the opportunity of paying more from time to time!) They were decorated with pictures of the driver's family and paraphernalia of his soccer team (usually Colo Colo). Windows rattled and seats shook while vendors came up and down the aisles with all sorts of helados and trinkets for sale on hot days. And, when you were ready to disembark, you just hit the timbre and the bus decelerated (from 60 km/hr to 0) in nanoseconds to "stop" at the curb in front of your apartment building… but it would be rolling as you stepped off and thanked your religious figure of choice for having survived. The most amazing things was watching the elderly, in their grace and skill, use the buses that nearly killed me every time I used them. I saw the Beatles guy late last night, thinking about catching a bus to make a little bit of money. On late nights, the he would serenade you with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," for a small donation. He used to ride for the fare of a little "Eleanor Rigby," but now the drivers have to make him swipe his "BIP" card; I think he may have forgotten to put more money on it while the offices were open during the day. I think I write better when I reminisce.

I do look forward to hearing from you. I can't write this in Castellano because I don't have the skill required to flavor up the language. But I will translate it for you Spanish-speaking friends if you ask nicely (in American English, not British English). As an English teacher, however, I encourage you to read it and see what you can understand (even though some of it is not grammatically correct!). More to come. Thanks for the inspiration friends!

I'm loving life… hope you are too!