Watch that imperio fall

I kind of reminded myself of my dad when he watches Broncos games as I hulled myself up in my room on Tuesday night, crouched on my bed facing the tv, glued to CNN. Every few minutes, as yet another incumbent Republican representative lost his (invariably) seat to Democrat X, I would let out a squealish-yell, slap my hands together, and finish with a strong "yes!". It was quite satisfying. The next day I took every possible opportunity to discuss the latest developments in Virginia, Montana, and the Pentagon. I don't think I've ever watched so much CNN in my life--nor have I ever been so deeply in love with a right-leaning news channel. And it was cool to watch it all happen from my perch on the outside; it made me realize how much I love being from a society in which politics still sparks so many people's interest, in which you can at least have the impression (once in awhile) that change is possible. It makes me feel even better about dropping $30 to rush my absentee ballot home to Denver so it would arrive in time. It's nice how the 20-year ebb and flow of the balance of power makes you feel at peace with the price of democracy.

Wednesday was also the encuentro internacional in la católica, which meant the casa central was dotted with stands from various countries, each manned by exchange students. It also meant that, from my stance behind the Finland table (which was next to the USA table...I was close enough), I got to gorge myself on Minna-made Finnish goodies in between triangular halves of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and the occasional s'more. The Americans even did a lovely rendition of the electric slide, and there were tiny cups of Peruvian pisco, Mexican tequila, and Finnish vodka to go around.

Right now I'm in La Serena, which has turned out to be a bit cloudier and fome than originally expected, but we're all pasandolo bien. Last night we even had an ER Chilean season premiere party last nigh--complete with Fanta-laced pisco--in one of the cabañas we're staying in. Bring on the observatories!