Ah, no eres chilena...don't worry; it's okay
My local YMCA now knows that I am definitely not Chilean. I only have to open my mouth in response to the trainer's question, and the secret's out. It's cool though; unlike in Mexico, where I never could manage to hide my lack of morena-ness, I at least have a chance here of passing for native so long as I stay mute. And people seem nice at "La Y;" plus, I'm learning to weigh myself in kilos.
My host dad came home today for a dentist appointment, and I had a great time with him, my brother Seba, and Seba's friend Felipin chatting after la comida. My dad told me the origen of the word "O.K.," which, according to him, comes from a Mr. Oscar Kake who worked in the port in Manhattan circa 1640. Before any boat could leave, he had to sign off on it, and had the habit of just signing his initials. This, my dad explained to me (amid not-so-stifled laughter from Seba and Felipin), was how the word managed to spread throughout the world--including to Bolivia, which interestingly does not have an ocean. It was super-exciting to feel like I could follow all the witty Chilean banter. And even when I couldn't, I've become quite adept at turning on the laughter button whenever other people signal that something's funny. In the afternoon, I went wandering around Viña again, and even made it up to Sausalito where la Católica's stadium and picturesque lake are located. Later, on my way through the Plaza de Viña, I saw an old woman bathing out of a bucket in the middle of the packed square. She was surrounded by sleeping dogs, all curled up in tight balls against the chilly afternoon. A couple horses were standing nearby, on hand for whatever tourists or Viñaites might suddenly opt for a ride around the plaza. The manicured grass and flower beds were underfoot as she splashed the water all over her large body. It was approaching rush hour, and the square was filled with people walking home from school and work, all of them either outright staring at this woman, glancing every once in awhile, or defiantly not looking at all. And, not knowing what else to do, I joined the passing crowd, alternating between the type that chooses not to look, and the type that glances inconspicuously.
Tomorrow I have my first two classes--Latin American Poetry and Chilean and Hispanic Literature. The lit class starts 10 minutes after the poetry class, yet they're at least 25 minutes apart. I'm looking forward to inconspicuously leaving earlyfrom the first, and then arriving late to the second. It's cool, though--if nothing else, I can entertain my profe's with my new story about the origin of the word "O.K."
My host dad came home today for a dentist appointment, and I had a great time with him, my brother Seba, and Seba's friend Felipin chatting after la comida. My dad told me the origen of the word "O.K.," which, according to him, comes from a Mr. Oscar Kake who worked in the port in Manhattan circa 1640. Before any boat could leave, he had to sign off on it, and had the habit of just signing his initials. This, my dad explained to me (amid not-so-stifled laughter from Seba and Felipin), was how the word managed to spread throughout the world--including to Bolivia, which interestingly does not have an ocean. It was super-exciting to feel like I could follow all the witty Chilean banter. And even when I couldn't, I've become quite adept at turning on the laughter button whenever other people signal that something's funny. In the afternoon, I went wandering around Viña again, and even made it up to Sausalito where la Católica's stadium and picturesque lake are located. Later, on my way through the Plaza de Viña, I saw an old woman bathing out of a bucket in the middle of the packed square. She was surrounded by sleeping dogs, all curled up in tight balls against the chilly afternoon. A couple horses were standing nearby, on hand for whatever tourists or Viñaites might suddenly opt for a ride around the plaza. The manicured grass and flower beds were underfoot as she splashed the water all over her large body. It was approaching rush hour, and the square was filled with people walking home from school and work, all of them either outright staring at this woman, glancing every once in awhile, or defiantly not looking at all. And, not knowing what else to do, I joined the passing crowd, alternating between the type that chooses not to look, and the type that glances inconspicuously.
Tomorrow I have my first two classes--Latin American Poetry and Chilean and Hispanic Literature. The lit class starts 10 minutes after the poetry class, yet they're at least 25 minutes apart. I'm looking forward to inconspicuously leaving earlyfrom the first, and then arriving late to the second. It's cool, though--if nothing else, I can entertain my profe's with my new story about the origin of the word "O.K."
posted by Emily Schulman | 9:38 PM
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