I arrived in Santiago this afternoon around 1. I was fortunate enough to have sat next to a professor from the university who was able to tell me exactly where I needed to go. I took a taxi to the university and realized it will be a great 3 weeks! For those of you who know me well, you know that I LOVE trees!! Let me tell you, the campus here is tree heaven. Some of the prettiest I´ve seen yet. I found the building that I am staying in and registered to get the keys to my dorm. Sure enough, I lugged my things up to the 3rd floor and unpacked into my rather simple accomodation. After unpacking I decided to walk around a bit and see Santiago on foot, despite the rainy day. I walked and found the cathedral. There were a lot of pilgrims there, and a good bit of tourist as well. I am really disappointed to see that it is surrounded with tourist shops and resturants. For something to be so spiritual, it is surprising to see that it ends with such commercialism. I suppose that is the world in which we live.
After the catherdal, I walked a bit more in search of an internet cafe or a place to buy an alarm clock (classes start tomorrow). Much like the US was 20 years ago, everything closes here on Sunday. I literally walked for about 2 hours around the city (which isn´t all that large) to find the internet cafe from which I write, and have yet to find an alarm clock. I did manage to find an Italian resturant where I treated myself to a pizza. Although I have done a good bit of traveling alone, it was one of the lonelist pizzas I´ve ever had. It´s my birthday, and you would think that travel and yummy food would be a good treat; they´re not. I sat alone in that Trattoria and realized that despite all the beauty this world offers, it is the people that fill it with beauty. This revalation has more meaning for me then a birthday afternoon; it shows me that life shouldn´t be lived alone, despite my many attempts to believe so. And I guess it is only those moments alone that can bring such a revelation.
As for the rest of the day, I am going to head back to my new place and do a little laundry. Maybe even meet someone that looks friendly in my building. :) Much love to all of you who are following me. Enjoy the ones you are with today!!
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Feliz Veinte y Cinco Trisha,
As time goes by, there are just a few birthdays that stand out. The rest sort of fade into the soft blur of the past. But, you'll always remember where you were when you hit this milestone.
We are enjoying your blog posts as additional perspectives over what Joey provides.
Having travelled alone for many weeks at a time, I know exactly what you mean. It's the people that make places great and memories everlasting. Today may be a mixed feeling day, but by tomorrow you'll be in the swing of the school, new people, etc. The day after your fellow viajero from Tampa should arrive and you can have the advantage of being able to show him around "your town" - by that time you'll be an experta in Santiago.
We heard from Pepe ayer. We chatted on-line while he was taking a descanso break in Pontedueme (around 3:00 PM your time). He was going to stop in Mino for the night and then continue on. I wonder if la lluvia is slowing him down un poco.
Enjoy the cool weather and the different surroundings. Aqui el verano esta, como siempre, un poquito desagradable.
Let's us know when you a) start thinking in Spanish (while alone) and b) when you start dreaming in Spanish - that's the real indicator of total immersion.
Abur y felicidades otra vez
El padre de Pepe
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