I just finished my finals and last day of class yesterday. Today is Thanksgiving and it is weird not being in Michigan for our annual family reunion. However, the staff at my program center have been extremely kind in helping us gringos and gringas in preparing our own goodbye/Thanksgiving festivities. I’d like to take a minute to reflect on everything for which I am thankful, like any good little United Stater would do on this fine day of feasting (and celebrating almost completely wiping out the Native American population).

1. My parents – I cannot thank them enough for making this semester possible, financially and otherwise. From dealing with poking fun at them on my blog, to staying up past there bedtime every week so I can Skype with them, they have been incredibly supportive and I cannot thank them enough.
2. Did I mention my parents?
3. IES Staff – Thank you. Just thank you. From me crying in your office because I was sick and did not want to go to the doctor to all of us laughing in Chiloé at an asado to just helping me adjust to my new life in Chile. Thank you.
4. My host Mom – While living with a host family is not exactly what I expected, my host mom has been very kind in opening up her home to me. She has invited me to little excursions to the grocery store with her and her friends and shopping. This might not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but when it means sitting in your room studying by yourself, or practicing Spanish in the real world, it makes all of the difference.  She also hes been extremely patient with me and my exercise schedule. If I am at the gym, she will make sure to wait for me to get home before eating so that I can sit with the family and have every opportunity to listen and speak Spanish.
5. Exercise – I always knew I loved exercising, but I never realized how essential it was to my happiness until coming to Chile. Joining Crossfit Korua has been one of the best decisions I have made. I was looking for a way to stay active while abroad and ended up realizing how much happier I was when I was exercising on a regular basis again. Plus the coaches there have been extremely patient as I cannot count the number of times I have asked them to demonstrate skills because I have no idea what they are asking me to do. And I have to thank them for dealing with my awkwardness when saying goodbye and hello. Do I kiss them on the cheek, do I not? Is a wave sufficient?
6. This video – A big thank you to my gringa-crossfit buddy, Katie, for showing it to me. It still makes me crack up even though I joined a crossfit gym myself.
7. Laughter – Laughter in general. Super important. Super thankful for everyone who has even just made me smile during my time here in Chile.
8. Friends – To all of the new friends I have made here in Chile and to all of my friends back at home in the US, thank you. I know I’m weird, so thanks for putting up with me. I question your sanity because you are friends with me.
9. Surfing and trekking – I suck at both, but I have a new found love for those two activities. Shout out to my Chilepo friends! Surfs up brah.
10. My parents
11. …12…13…

…100. And one more time…my parents.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Location: Providencia, Santiago, Chile

1. There is a chart in this blog post. I know it is scary and looks boring, but push through.
2. If you are not my parents, you have no obligation to read this post.
3. I have not written in a while so I apologize if my thoughts are a little cluttered. I feel like I tried to shove a bunch of ideas into one post. I prefer to blame any grammar, spelling, or other mistakes on the late hour at which I am writing this.
4. I’m sorry, Mom.

During my Chilean Culture class, the professor lectured about the poverty rate in Chile. I don’t know about you, but when a bunch of statistics are being thrown my way, they don’t really sink in or have any meaning for me unless I have some sort of context or basis for comparison. Well then the professor put the data for poverty rates in Chile next to those of the U.S. Guess what. The United State poverty rate is higher than that of Chile. What really hit me was when he showed this graph:

This graph is not mine. I’m not saying it’s mine. It’s just not mine. It was taken from José G. Díaz’s lecture at Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile for the class Seminario de Cultura Chilena on November 2, 2015.

So take the median income of someone living in the U.S. We will call this person Mel Median. Half the country is making more than Mel and half the country making less than her. Now take Mel’s income and divide it by 2. This is the income of Poor Pete. Poor Pete is living on the poverty line. Anyone with Poor Pete’s income or less is considered poor like Pete. This graph shows the Poor Petes of 34 countries plus what the OECD thinks Poor Pete’s income should be. Now you would expect that U.S. Poor Pete would have an income similar to Poor Petes with whom U.S. Poor Pete can relate – for example, New Zealand Poor Pete, British Poor Pete, and Canadian Poor Pete – other Poor Petes from “developed” countries. Well guess what. They don’t. U.S. Poor Pete’s income isn’t even close to the other Petes with whom he thought he could relate. U.S. Poor Pete on this chart is snuggled right between Turkish Poor Pete and Chilean Poor Pete. Turkish Poor Pete and Chilean Poor Pete hail from countries which U.S. Poor Pete considers “developing.” I as well as U.S. Poor Pete were quite shocked by this data in class the other day. Now, I’m not saying that this rule is perfect. This method for determining the poverty line definitely has its flaws. And I’m not saying that countries surrounding the U.S. don’t have other problems (for example in Chile, a high income inequality) that can affect their positions on the chart. However, it does portray a basic picture of where the U.S. stands among other countries.

So why do we call other countries “developing” and ourselves “developed” when we share many of the same issues. Why must we put other countries below us? Why is U.S. Poor Pete any better than Chilean or Turkish Poor Pete? Why are we going to “save” Latin American Poor Petes and other Poor Petes of the world through volunteer work while we ourselves need saving? (Disclaimer: I think volunteering in foreign countries is a great opportunity as long you realize why you are doing it. You are helping yourself to an experience of traveling and living abroad just as much, if not more than you are helping others.)

When my friends and family think about me studying abroad in Chile, many of them think I’m living in another world. Chile is classified as a developing country, which I think causes many of them to believe that I am indeed living in another world. Developing countries are “dangerous” and “scary.” While I am definitely a culprit for thinking this way, especially when I first arrived, you have to realize how many people are terrified to go to the U.S. because it is dangerous. One of my peers recently expressed her fear to go back to the U.S. because of racial tension at her school which she fears could lead to gun violence. That is right. She is scared to go back to the U.S. I can guarantee her biggest fear in Santiago is getting her wallet stolen. Yeah it’s a pain to have your money and credit card stolen, even your passport. But when your options are passport versus life, I think most people would chose passport. So once again, how is the U.S. any better than Chile or any other country for that matter?

I bring these points up not just because of my class, but also because my mom will not allow my sister to come visit me. Yeah that is right, Mom. I am calling you out. I found a super cheap, direct flight from the U.S. to Santiago and wanted my 16 year-old sister to visit me because she is studying Spanish in high school right now and seems to really enjoy it. She could be dropped off at the airport in the U.S. and I could pick her up directly at the Santiago airport – no connections, just my Mom’s hands to mine. But my Mom said no. Her reasoning is that she cannot send my little sister alone and cannot take off work to come with her. But why can’t my little sister come alone? If I were studying abroad in Spain, I feel like my mom would be much more inclined to let her travel by herself.

It is easy to focus on the differences between the U.S. and another country, but I ask you to look at the similarities because there are many. Look at ourselves, the United States, before judging another country. My mom might see this as a last ditch effort for her to allow my little sister to come visit me, but hey…can you blame a big sis for wanting to see her little sis.

P.S. Just to summarize everything you just read because it is late and I don’t exactly know what I just wrote:

1. I’m not saying that you can go prancing around Chile without a care in the world. But I’m also not saying that you can go prancing around the U.S. without a care in the world.
2. Mom, let Lanie come to Chile.
3. Sorry for being your obnoxious middle child. I want you to come to Chile too, but one is better that none.

Location: San Joaquin, Santiago, Chile

I traveled to Pucón solo as a reward for finishing my homework and it was incredible! On my last day, I got to hike up Volcano Quetrupillán. Most physically challenging day of my life. But as they say in Chile, vale la pena!

Just out of the woods at the base of the volcano

What a view!

We made it:

At the summit:

Sledding down:

What a day!

Add it to your bucket list. And by that I mean drop whatever you are doing and go. Right now.

Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

To start our third day off in San Pedro, we had a fun but relaxing morning eating ice cream and playing on the playground.

Different but delicious ice cream flavors

Dat landscape doe

We are children and we are proud of it

In the afternoon we went to Termas de Puritama and boy were they relaxing. It was freezing and I could not get myself to change into my swimsuit. Then once I was in the water, I couldn’t get myself to get out.

Valley leading down to the hot springs

Selfie in the hot springs

And back to San Pedro we went.

Location: Termas de Puritama, Chile

First thing in the morning my friend Callie and I were off to the National Flamingo Reserve and boy was it beautiful. After passing through the town of Toconao, we arrived at the reserve, walked around, and ate breakfast served.

National Flamingo Reserve

As part of our breakfast, we drank coca tea to prevent altitude sickness. Yes, coca is the plant used to make cocaine. No, the tea does not get you high. We also packed caramelos de coca (hard candies with coca leaves in them) for later in the day just in case we starting feel sick.

Tea made from coca leaves called mate

Next we stopped in a town called Socaire to look at a church and the landscape. Special farming techniques were used in the area because of the dry conditions. We had learned that the natives from this area had been using these techniques for ages in our Native Cultures class, so it was cool to see in person.

Church in Socaire

Rica-rica plant, also used to brew tea to help with altitude sickness

Stepped land to farm in the dry and hilly area

And then we were off to Lagunas Altipanicas, the main show. I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves. It felt like I was standing in a painting.

Even prettier in person

The lake sparked like Edward Cullen. EDWARD CULLEN!

I swear it is real and not painted

We left the lakes and headed back towards San Pedro.

The little guy we met on our way back from Lagunas Altiplanicas

Looks like someone’s a little tired…

Tropic of Capricorn

We were back in San Pedro after stopping for ice cream in Toconao for a short rest and some lunch before heading off the the afternoon’s activities. First we went to Valle de la Luna.

Valle de la Luna

The white stuff is salt

On our way out of Valle de the Luna we stopped to go on a short spelunking adventure. Callie was hesitant because she a little claustrophobic, but she made it through.

Caving adventures! Callie is scared…

And off the Valle de la Muerte we went!

Selfie in Valle de le Muerte

And finally to watch the sun set over the valley.

Very pretty sunset but…

…way too many people.

I wasn’t expecting too much from the Lagunas Altiplanicas and absolutely amazed. But I had very high expectations for the valleys and ended up being slightly disappointed with the crowds of people. If I did it over again, I would go to the valleys on bike and see the sunset from a different location without the hundreds of people. All in all an amazing day.

Location: Valle de la Luna

Before I even start, I just want to say that none of my pictures do San Pedro de Atacama justice. Everything landscape was unreal. It felt like I was living in a painting. That being said, here are some of my photos and experiences, but you must go see it for yourself in person.

Chao, Santiago!

¡Hola, Atacama desert!

After arriving in the Calama airport, we took a bus to our hostel in San Pedro called Aji Verde. We explored the town, booked tours for the week, went grocery shopping, napped, and socialized with people at our hostel. We could definitely feel the altitude as we breathed heavily just walking around town.

The town of San Pedro

We met another group of gringo students studying in Viña who were also visiting San Pedro for the long weekend, so some of us went out to dinner together. Although I was a little skeptical about eating out after all that money I spend on tours, it was totally worth it:

My enormous and delicious cheese and chicken empanda

My friend Andrea and I DESTROYED this thing. It was probably disgusting to watch, but I have no regrets.

Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Antonia, el terremoto. That’s what they call her because she runs around the house leaving the apartment looking like an earthquake hit with all of her toys. She loves Frozen and can probably sing along most Disney songs better than I can (which is saying something since she is 3 and doesn’t speak English).

Mi familia Chilena and I had just finished eating lunch, so I went to my room to study. I can hear Antonia running around and playing in the living room. A little while later she comes running in screaming, “¡Apúrate! ¡Apúrate, Emma! ¡Está lloviendo mucho!” gesturing for me to follow her. I follow her out of my bedroom and see my entire host family. Standing under an umbrella. In the living room. After she decides it stops raining, everyone goes back to what they were doing chuckling to themselves. Then a few minutes later, it’s raining again. We all rush back to the living room to stand under the umbrella for a bit longer while she rescues one of my host sisters and the stuffed animals. Then rain stops and I go back to my room to work on more homework.

Then Doctor Antonia runs into my room with a flashlight telling me to open my mouth so she can look inside and make sure everything is alright. She runs out the door and back in, next checking my eyes.

What an adorable little earthquake. Antonia, el terremoto.

Location: Providencia, Santiago, Chile

This feels like I’m writing a public diary post, but I’m just going to go for it because this is my blog and I do what I want! Just kidding, it’s kinda Penn State’s blog. But still! Ok here goes…

Dear Diary,

I had the most wonderful day with my host mom today. Some serious bonding went on. First I woke up around noon and we ate lunch together, just the two of us. We spoke about my tummy issues from the day before. She offered to fix me something else for lunch, but I insisted that the pork and mashed potatoes that she fixed were more than palatable for me. She asked if the military band marching by the window or the 6.1 “tremor” (let me emphasize that 6.1 on the Richter scale is not an earthquake here in Chile) woke me up this morning. I said they did but I had no trouble falling right back to sleep. We sat at the lunch table just talking for nearly 3 hours about everything from her taste in men to poverty in Chile. My host mom is quite the talker once you get her going on a subject, but I really enjoy just listening to her speak Spanish (especially when I can understand her).

Next, we were off to a military parade. She asked if any of my friends were joining us and when I told her no she wanted to make sure I wasn’t blowing off more fun plans with my peers to spend time with her. I almost declined her invitation because my tummy was acting up again, but I forced myself to go knowing that this was a bonding opportunity I couldn’t pass up. We watched a group of students dancing la Cueca (Chile’s national dance) followed by the various military branches marching by while my host mom gawked at how beautiful the men looked in uniform. Probably one of my favorite interactions I’ve had with her. Did I mention we also took selfies together? Unfortunately, they are on her tablet and not my phone.

After the parade we shared some popcorn (not salty like in the U.S., but rather sweet like kettle or even caramel corn), and took the metro back to the apartment. We ate once (a lighter, version of dinner) and started talking about Penn State. I showed her pictures of the football stadium and told her that we were playing a game against another university (Rutgers) tonight. She was in absolute awe of how large the stadium is. Somehow the conversation evolved into talking about family relations when she was a girl (I think she is getting a little nervous because her mom is coming to visit on Monday – that’s right…I get to meet my abuela!) and then into dating. She asked me if machismo was a common problem in the U.S. between men and women. I explained to her that we don’t call it machismo but that it is an issue. I explained to her the stereotypes of students in fraternities and how I have unfortunately found most of these stereotypes to be true. She went on to explain how she has taught her two daughters to never tolerate violence in a partner and how she has taught her son to respect women.

She then sent me on my way to celebrate more of independence week at a fonda (festivals set up around the city at parks and plaza to celebrate Chile’s independence day…and by day I mean week) with some friends. I came back just a few hours ago and she came to my room to ask if I got her text, which I didn’t. She was craving some chocolate and wanted me to pick up some chocolate covered strawberries from the fonda for her. Luckily, I had some chocolate stashed away (no duh…my name is Emma Tierney…of course I have chocolate) which I gave to her (did I mention, it’s also period week?). It might not sound like a super exciting day, but I was pretty pumped to have my host mom to myself for a whole day.

Yours,

Emma

Location: Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

Our last day in Chiloé! 🙁 Definitely a sad day. Partially because I felt kind of sick to my stomach in the morning (maybe all that food caught up with me) and partially because I didn’t want to leave. We went trekking in the morning in Parque Nacional Chiloé and then near the beach. Then we stopped in Dalcahue for some shopping and lunch before heading back to Puerto Montt for dinner and to catch our plane ride home to Santiago. It was nice to escape for the weekend, but now I just want to stay on the island forever. Chiloé was not on my list of places to see when I came to Chile, but I’m so glad I got to experience it. I was pleasantly surprise how much I enjoyed the island, and I definitely want to return.

National park entrance

View from the lookout on our trekking adventure

Look! We spotted an owl!

Selfie with one of many free-roaming cows on the way to the beach

View in Dalcahue

Ferry ride back to Puerto Montt – goodbye Chiloé! Miss you already!!

Two volcanoes spotted on the bus ride to dinner (L, Osorno, less active; R, Calbuco, more active)

Got a whole row to myself on the plane ride back to Santiago

Location: Cucao, Chiloé, Chile