Meant to post this about 6 days ago....

During this first week of being in Santiago, I have had the privilege of staying with a very welcoming family, who open their arms to me and helped me feel very comfortable and relaxed.  The home consists of Carmen and her  husband, Francisco, and their adorable daughter Antonia.  Francisco’s parents have been staying with them ever since the earthquake last year.  As the grandmother is able to look after Antonia, Francisco and Carmen are free to go to work without a worry as to her safety.  More family lives only blocks away, and everyone comes to visit and eat, chat, and plan.  It is wonderful to see how connected everyone is to each other. 

Conchalí, the community where Carmen’s family lives, is on the northern part of Santiago.  I was lucky to go to 2 different Ferias – or markets – with Carmen, Nancy, and some family and friends.  I also had the pleasure of trying Mote which is a very sweet drink which consists of dried peach (which you boil to obtain the juice) and then serve cold, with a sort of oat at the bottom.  It is an extremely filling  and refreshing drink. 

Carmen,  Nancy, and Constanza (sister in-law to Carmen) made a delicious meal of Ceviche, and Pastel de Choclo.   Choclo is the Chilean word for corn.  You grind up the corn with a dash of water, and some cilantro,  and mix it with chicken (already cooked and pulled apart), ground beef, olives,  and cook in the oven.  It is quite delicious! And to add to the flavor, you can either put some sugar on top, or tomatoes.  I tried, and enjoyed, both!

 It was interesting to see how the homes are set up.  The houses are completely fenced in, and the driveway goes directly to the front door, and you close the gate behind you.  The houses are humble, with a little decoration here and there.  The backyard is open, and lets in the sunlight.  During this part of the summer, it is very hot and dry, much like…California.  Though perhaps not quite as hot.  Windows remain open, to allow what little breeze there is, to come into the house and cool it.  There is no air conditioning unit – or at least in the homes I visited.

I am now in Ñuñoa, which is more central to Santiago.  This is where Pilar, the friend of Marce , lives in her apartment.  She keeps apologizing for the size, but to me, it is perfect.  I have my own room, my own bathroom, and a wonderful roommate!  The supermarket is just across the street, the bus stop is a block down… Great location!  It is also a gated community.  What wonderful luck I have had!!!!

The devastating earthquake which occurred last year – my family had watched the news intently, worrying for Marce and her family– had its one year anniversary on Sunday, 27^th of February.  The friends and family of Carmen spoke to me often of the event, pointing out the devastation within the neighborhood.  As I notice the long cracks in walls, collapsed houses, and other types of destruction, I am constantly reminded how lucky I have been to live in a part of the world where earthquakes are seemingly non-existent.