Pucon: Day 1

Our little vacay to Pucon was such an adventure! I've decided to break it down into days.

PUCON: DAY 1

It was a l-o-n-g drive. 8 hours in a not very comfortable company truck. Thank goodness the kids are older because 4 years ago this drive would have been much different. They didn't complain (much) and spent their time on cell phones and playing video games.

You can see that neither one of them look too thrilled. We'll just say that they wanted to just stay at home and play Playstation. They wanted to know "why our parents drag us to places we don't even want to go and make us do things we don't care about". They just wanted a "peaceful, restful week off". Pobrecitos! (the spanish word for 'poor things')

There were lots of interesting things to see along the way. I'll admit it, out loud, right now- apparently I am an idiot. It just dawned on me during this trip that "Chiquita"(like the bananas) is a spanish word, when I saw the sign on a huge warehouse. I also thought that once we got out of the city, I would see  - I don't know - huts and things. I expected something like you would see in a third world country. "Mom. This isn't a third world country!" duh. I guess I just see some lean-to type homes in the city, and expected more of that when we got to the outskirts. I didn't see anything like that.

The area resembled the countryside in Missouri that I grew up seeing. Besides the Andes mountains in the background. The rolling hills and lush green countryside looked like home. Farm land. Barns. Mom and Pop restaurants. It's easy to forget you are in a foreign country.

We packed a lunch because we were not sure what we'd find along the way. We didn't want to stop and eat in a sit-down place because all of our stuff was in the back of the truck. Granted we bought one of those zip up large cargo bags and tied everything down, but we still didn't want to leave it unattended. We also wanted to make sure we had something that we could eat that we liked. So when we stopped for gas, we unpacked lunch, and decided to eat while we drove. We just wanted to get there.

Upon arriving in Villarica, we knew we were getting close. We put a call in to the property manager to let him know we were on our way and to get the cabin keys ready. As we pulled into the quaint little town of Villarica, we saw the most stunning rainbow. We stopped for a minute to enjoy it and check out the lake.

When we finally arrived in Pucon and drove up to the cabin, the kids were thrilled. Andrew said - and I quote, "This place is awesome! I would love to live somewhere like this!" What was that? Wait. Did I just hear you say you glad you came? You mean to tell me that maybe your parents forcing you to take this vacation wasn't so bad after all? He just laughed. It's good to be right and even better when your kids realize it.

We were the first renters in this beautiful new cabin that was located about 10 minutes from downtown Pucon and about 10 minutes from the ski resort. It was private and secluded and absolutely perfect!

There were 3 bedrooms with enough space for 8 to sleep. We only have 4 people, so it was a bit bigger than we needed. We ended up closing off one of the bedrooms to help heat the house better.

The house is heated solely by a single wood-burning stove:

I know that homes have and still do use these. I don't think, however that those homes have huge 20foot vaulted ceilings. That heat was literally lost in the rafters. The novelty of filling baskets with wood and constantly reloading the stove, then emptying the ash as it piled high, started to wear off by the end of the week.

The house was great. Very teen-boy-friendly. Complete with a chin-up bar in the living room and snowboarding decor in their bedroom.

 Shortly after our arrival, we unloaded all of our luggage into the middle of the living room (you can see it spread out in the background of these chin-up photos) and Greg and I headed off to the grocery store. We were told by the property manager that stores would be closed part of the day on Monday, and all of Tuesday and Wednesday due to the holiday. We needed some provisions. We had decided to eat breakfast and either lunch/dinner in the cabin so we needed some additional supplies. We weren't sure if restaurants would be open over that time so we wanted to make sure we were good to go.

So with a pile in the living room, Greg and I headed to the grocery store before they closed. When we came back with groceries, the kids came out to help. Alex, being the great kid that he is, shut the front door to keep in the heat. The problem: in Chile, there are not any doorknobs. You might remember a similar post earlier. As soon as he pulled the door closed. He looked at me with panic in his eyes and said, "mom. I just shut the door!". He knew it. I knew it. We were locked out. It was freezing cold and starting to get dark. We checked the back door. It was locked. Greg had just locked it before we left. Windows? Locked. The paperwork with the property manager's number? Inside on the table. We went to the neighbors. She called the homeowner, who sent out her teenage son with his key to open it up for us. Problem: the key was in the keyhole on the inside of the house - so his key wouldn't work and apparently, they don't even have a key to the back door. They never lock it. So eventually, with the help of the neighbor guy, the kid unscrewed the trim around a window and took out the glass and had his buddy climb in the window and unlock the door. What an ordeal.

It was embarrassing - AND - to my dismay, we had our crap strung out all over the living room. Whatever. It all worked out in the end.

We got everything inside, I sorted down our things and we settled in for the night. What an eventful day - and we haven't even gotten started yet!

Things to Know about Chile

Another little tidbit of knowledge about living here:

You are required, by law, to fly the Chilean flag on 3 specific dates. Apparently you can be fined for not doing so - but I hear it isn't overly common. Regardless, we have our flag and will hang in it a front window today.

I was unsure which direction the star should go. There has been some debate among the locals. You see it both ways. I looked online and found this handy-dandy little flyer. Problem solved!

But wait... Does it say I will be fined for flying it on other times? Weird. Maybe a bad translation... Who knows.

3D Printing

Alex is a part of the school's 3D Printing Club. Last week, he got to print something. He chose a "creeper". A creeper is a character from the online game "Minecraft". He's a bit of a fan.

He printed at .5 scale and is considering creating a chess set with Minecraft pieces. Too cool!

Next up: Skyrim logo. These boys and their video games...

The club uses the 3D printer and will eventually build one themselves once the parts all arrive. Pretty cool stuff!

Dieciocho Fiesta!

The 18th of September celebrates Chile's independence form Spain. This truly month-long celebration is known as "Dieciocho" which comes from the words: diez (ten) y (and) ocho (eight) meaning the 18th. My kids learned in school that the 18th of September actually marks the day when the first government here was formed. Their 'independence' actually occurred the February prior. 

Regardless, the Chileans take this time of year very seriously. The entire month is filled with fiestas!

Here are a few snapshots from our church celebration:

Raising the flag while singing the national anthem 

Traditional Chilean dancers preformed the Quaka - Chile's national dance 

(The US needs a national dance)

The Quaka is about a man asking a woman to dance. The kids learned the basic steps in PE this year. If yet to see them dance it - if they ever do, I'll record it and post it here. Please don't hold your breath. 

We had a great time with our friends

The kids here all have a special handshake. 

slap/knuckle-bump/snap (I think)

My friends loved our "gringa" salad. I was specifically asked to bring something traditional to my country. Traditional - but different from what they do here. They make a potato salad... so I decided to go with a broccoli salad. It was a hit. 

Our boys with Elder Reber - it is fun to have some english speaking missionaries around these parts.

A friend of the boys' brought his pet chicken. Wait. Roster. I think it's a roster. When it came out - I was horrified. I worried they'd kill it and roast it up right there. Because they do like things fresh. Thank goodness it was only a pet.

We played some games.

This relay race involved digging around in some flour with your face looking for the candy.

Greg played. He nailed the balancing the egg on the spoon part. 

But his plate of flour was missing the candy. So he dug around for a while before they realized it and brought him over a piece. 

Here he is with our friend Laura Hamilton. I think Laura might have won that round!

Alex is playing with the prize: a couple of the traditional Chilean toys.

One is a little 'hat' on a string tied to a stick. You hold the stick, swing the 'hat' in the air and try to catch it on the end of the stick.

The other wooden toy is a top. You wrap the sting around in a specific way and then whip it hard. The top spins (if you do it right) on the ground. The Chileans will then use the string to grab the top while it's spinning on the ground and toss it in the air. They then catch it on the palm of their hand while it stays spinning - it's pretty impressive! I can't even get the thing to spin on the ground. 

Of course there was time for a game or two of futbol - we are in Chile! 

They are playing with one of the missionaries from Nigera - he was REALLY good!

There is also a lot of kite flying this time of year. Spring brings out the sunny days with light breezes - perfect for kite flying. It seems to be a critical part of the festivities. 

Here is another one of the english speaking missionaries trying to get his kite up in the air. He tried really hard (even lost his hat mid-run) but I don't think he ever got it going.

It was a beautiful day for a fantastic fiesta! We love it here. We love learning and participating in all the traditional culture. THIS is why we came here. To learn and grow. We have definitely done that! Thanks to some amazing people that are willing to teach us!

Some Days Are Just Like That

Today was just one of those days.

Yesterday was a good day. It didn't start out that way. I had to take a kid to an undeserved 3 hour detention which chapped my hide - but what can you do? If he missed it, he would have been subject to a day of expulsion the following week. So agree or not - he had to go. Whatever. It wasn't the end of the world.

I then put together a "gringa" salad for our church BBQ. They really wanted something like we would make at home. I don't really know what that meant since I still haven't wrapped my head around what they make here, but I opted for a broccoli salad. It has a mayo based dressing and I know the Chileans are huge fans of mayonnaise because it's all over the stores in huge bags. While mixing it up, I became increasingly frustrated that I didn't have the simplest supplies that I need to make a salad. [It didn't help that Greg, who was already at the BBQ setting up, kept texting me about when I would be getting there] I don't have a big bowl. No salad tongs. Only 1 broken measuring cup. After ending up with mayo in my hair and broccoli on the floor - and maybe a little swearing - I vowed never cook again until Greg bought me what I needed here or took me home to get my things. (It didn't last long - I cooked lunch today)

Once we got to the church, I had a blast. Truly I enjoyed myself immensely. I just find myself becoming continually more and more frustrated with my lack of ability to speak the language. I WANT to, but wanting to and doing are two completely different things.

These amazing women try to talk to me with slow simple spanish - but slow and simple is still waaaay above my head. So I feel stupid. I feel left out. I feel frustrated. I'm losing my ability to just smile and nod. I feel like the expectation has grown. I've been here long enough and my 'free pass' is gone. These feelings are completely self-inflicted. What do I want? People to NOT try and talk to me - to just ignore me completely? No. I wouldn't like that either. I do love that these ladies want to carry on a conversation with me - I am just frustrated with myself for not knowing more already. I want to be their friend.

I think the whole ordeal on Friday with the school pushed my patience over the edge. I've only got so much to go around and any little blip in the radar throws me into crazyville.

Today, I skipped church and stayed in bed. Greg left early and went to meetings and when my alarm went off, I texted him to let him know we would not be going. I felt like I needed a minute of reprieve and that my kids did to. Maybe they didn't - Maybe I was projecting - I don't know. But I needed to just let everyone sleep until their bodies woke up on their own. I just needed a minute without spanish.

Tonight was a visiting teaching conference. The lady running it is completely bilingual. She did a great job helping the 3 gringas that were there. She'd stop and explain things to us in english. When we broke off in groups - I was sent to group three - alone without my other gringa helpers (who speak spanish). The lady in charge came and helped me.

This is going to sound bad - but I have a love/hate relationship with the help. I HATE-HATE-HATE that I need that help. I hate that someone has to constantly stop what they are doing to repeat everything to me. I don't like to be the 'needy' one. One the flip side - I am so incredibly grateful that there are so many people willing to do that for me. I am truly lost without the help.

So - what do I learn from this whole fiasco? I need to get off my high horse and be grateful for that help. Until I learn to be accepting of help - really learn that lesson, I'll never be able to get past this moment in my life. Do you think spanish is the ultimate lesson for me here? Doubt it. Patience. Long-suffering. Acceptance. Humility. Learning to be completely open to the help without the embarrassment or frustration - or being on the verge of tears - that is my lesson to learn. The sooner I learn humility the better. Once I learn these lessons, maybe I'll be able to move past this and start actually learning to speak spanish. Wish me luck - pray for me - whatever it takes. I need all the help I can get :)

Robbed! (almost)

I received an email from an Embassy family about how the crime in our neighborhood of Lo Barnechea has increased 300% in the past couple of weeks and that there are 10 reported incidents a day of purse/wallet snatchings at the new mall. Details were given about the embassy family that was robbed and the husband beaten with a baseball bat (I shared that story earlier).

Not even 5 minutes later I get a call from Greg:

He stopped at Pizza Hut on his way home from work. We're all tired after a long week and needed a little bit of time to veg. Pizza and Napoleon Dynamite was just what the doctor ordered.

As he pulled into the parking lot, there were several open spots. However, when he pulled in, another car, with three guys, pulled into the spot directly beside him. He was immediately suspicious. The other guy opened his door and started to get out. Greg remained in his car. He got the GPS down, put it in his pocket, etc - stalling. When Greg didn't get out, the other guy got back in his car.

A group of people started walking by, so Greg quickly got out of the car (and so did the other guy) and put the group of people between him and this jerk. He really thought the guy was going to mug him.

Greg gets in line at Pizza Hut and his stalker goes right up to the counter and asks for a menu. Greg is watching him closely and keeping an eye on his car.

Eventually, the guy leaves. Greg is still watching his car. As he gets to the counter and starts to order, he sees is the front passenger door of his truck open. He bolts out there. The guys are spooked and jump back in their car and start to take off. They then STARE HIM DOWN as they pull away. Greg said they looked at him like he had offended them. Like they were appalled that he would have the audacity to stop them...

His computer bag was in the back seat of the truck on the driver's side and had been pulled to the passenger side, still in the back seat. They didn't get anything as far as he can tell. There is a little damage to the area around the lock of the door - but nothing too noticeable.

The lesson here: Follow those little promptings. When something doesn't "feel right" get the heck outta there. We pray for safety everyday and know without a doubt that he was blessed with that safety last night. We are so grateful for that. This story could have been so much worse...

Drama at School

Without going into details and invading the privacy of one of my dear children, I'll tell you that we had an "incident" today at school. I immediately went into crazy mom mode (aka Mama Bear Syndrome), but after texting with my son during lunch, I understand more fully how things were handled.

It sounds like the support that I would have hoped that he had from the teacher and administration was absolutely the case. Do I think my kid was blatant in his disobedience? No. Do I think the admin/teacher thinks he was blatant? No. An infraction was committed from the teacher's perspective. It was however, handled with the upmost care and concern for the wellbeing of my newly transplanted teenager. I am grateful for that.

He is learning the new system. He is learning the new expectations. He is making new friends, trying to understand a new language, a new culture. He is trying to make sense of his new world here. Add to that the new incredibly enormous academic load and mix it up with teenage hormones and the poor kid has got to be overwhelmed. I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it.

He's overly independent. He's got to learn to tap into the resources he has available to him. LET us help you. Ask for assistance from the teachers - they are there to help. This is one of the reasons they give kids 20 minutes between classes. Not so that they have time to hang with friends, but so that they can get immediate feedback and assistance from their teachers. There are 12-15 kids in each class and teachers only have 4 classes a day. With numbers like that, real help can be given. Individual attention can be given. Yes, papers look different here. Yes, teachers are going to pour over every single line you write. Just giving the right answer isn't enough. You have to expound on everything. Details, details, details. When they say they expect 4-6 hours of homework every night - they expect to see the results of 4-6 hours of homework in your submitted work. Otherwise, it's not enough.

"I've never have been more scared for my education in my life", is a direct quote from our texting. Better to learn these lessons now. Figuring it out now will allow him to have a solid foundation for college in the very near future. I have faith in him. I know without a doubt that he can not only meet, but exceed the expectations laid out for him here. This time of growing and learning will not be easy, but if we can convince him to seek assistance in all the shapes and forms it is offered to him, I think he'll have an easier time in the long run.