Temporary things

Augusto Pinochet had a heart attack and died. Pinochet was the ex-Chilean dictator who is simultaneously praised for ending communism in Chile and the country’s current robust economy while at the same time under house arrest for murder, crimes against humanity, corruption and tax evasion. He was also a neighbor.

Now you’ll hear “esta muerte” which translates as if his death is a temporary situation. I guess is easier to take if you don’t consider it permanent. In a similar way, it is easy to embrace those things we like about Chile, while remembering that things we dislike are only temporary. It’s really a great life lesson.

For instance, we welcome the opportunities that arise from exploring this new city, adore the lack of responsibilities, and still fancy the “together time” as a family. I love that Ciervo’s teaching commitment is over, that the girls are still getting along, and my stunning new pajamas I bought at the Jumbo. But we also try to remember that standing in line at the Servipaq to pay our bills is something we’ll only have to endure for a short time, and that soon I’ll again be softening my skin with Clinique face lotion. And while I love not getting junk mail, I do miss having my existence confirmed each day by it.

I also love our quaint neighborhood, but hate the traffic noise of the big city. So we enjoyed the quiet of the beaches in Concon, Renaca and La Serena last week. Taking the girls to el cine (the movies) can be fun, but I’m happy that the hour and a half of Penguinos (Happy Feet) is over. And we are so enjoying our time with my parents, but you know what they say about fish and relatives and the comparative gestation time for odor. :)

The Christmas season is a temporary but wonderful way to end the year. While the holiday is over, I hope that the joy you’ve found this season stays around for a long time, and that the backache that so many of you reported from shoveling nieve (snow) proves to be temporary. As for me, I will temporarily endure the blisters from my flip flops, the sand in my underwear, and my sunburned nose, while I lay on this beach chair sipping my Pisco Sour and reading about the “Blizzard of ’06” in our local paper.

Sisma

Que?

I love the commercial for Armani Code perfume. The super skinny seductive model in the black backless dress walking in slo-mo to the mysterious background music reminds me of the “me” inside me somewhere.

I’m not sure why I said that. It seemed relevant a few minutes ago, but I’ve forgotten how I was going to tie it in. The truth is, we’ve been inundated with new things and words, and the limited space in my cabeza has forced familiar ideas out and encroached upon my short term memory to make room for new things.

For instance, I recently took my freakishly tall (by Chilean standards) non-swimmer self to the local pool for exercisio. I stood there in the pool, lily white and half naked in a fire engine red speedo trying to understand the “pool protocol” from the lifeguard and all I could think of was “Did I remember to take my shoes off?” Last weekend, we went to Vina del Mar for el fin de semana larga (long weekend). I went for a run, forgot to stop, and apparently finished another marathon. And, you’re not going to believe this, but apparently I am well into my 30’s.

Right now I am sitting in that room, (what do you call it?), you know, with the computer in it, and I hear vaguely familiar voices in the background. They are screaming something about summer vacation, no school, playing barbies all day… I hope that doesn’t concern me.

Now I am going into that other room, the one with all the food in it, and find something sweet. I see an empty bag of galletas here but I don’t remember eating them so I must not have. As long as I still fit into my black sexy dress. And by the way, does anyone know why my shoes are wet?

Sisma

Who are these people? They keep following me around...

Monopoly

So can anyone get a light saber or do you have to be a Jedi Knight? Not that I could afford one anyway, but one might some in handy if I need to rob a bank or something.

My favorite store is called “Todo a $1,000” (Everything’s $1,000). You are all getting Christmas presents from there. But before you get too excited, $1,000 Chilean pesos is only about US$1.90 and would buy a pair of fake Armani sunglasses from the Peruvian vendor on the corner. An ice cream cone costs $500 pesos, but if you get Chirymoya flavor, it’s worth US$500.

The bills look fake, so we blow through them like it’s just a game. When you think about it, they are just paper, and the only thing that makes them valuable is that the rulebook said they are. I’m sure that one day, the banker is going just wave his middle finger at us as we pass “go” rather than handing over that $200 (or $105,000 pesos, however you want to look at it).

But if we’re ever short on cash, we can always pay in cuotas. Cuotas are paying in installments with interest added in. If you use cuotas with a tarjeta de credito (credit card), you get the opportunity to pay interest on your interest. Buy a Big Mac on cuotas and you’ll still be paying for it long after the nausea has passed.

Today I need to pay the rent, gas, cable and electric bill. The total will come to about $700,000 pesos. It’s a bummer, but at least it will insure I continue to get the Star Wars movies on cable every night. While we were hoping that the prices would be cheaper here, they are not. As always, the best things are free: family, friendships, and the long daylight hours to spend with both.

Sisma

Felices Festivas

The context clues are just all wrong. The days are getting longer, the weather warmer, and flowers are budding. That overweight viejo (old guy) in the red suit looks grotesquely out of place, and listening to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” while shopping for swimsuits is just strange.

Nevertheless, we are trying to get into the Christmas spirit. Tonight, we attended “Carols by Candlelight” at the home of the British Ambassador. It was a picnic in the jardin (garden) benefiting the Salvation Army. Tomorrow we’ll slather on the crema para sol (sunscreen), hit the artisan market for gifts, and then the pool. I’m starting to plan Christmas dinner and am thinking vienesa (hotdogs) on the asado (grill) and fresh fruit.

While I usually love the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I admit I’m not missing it this year. We will not be sending cards, baking cookies, or decorating whatsoever. I have no sprinkles, tinsel, or pine scented spray in the departamento. The only red thing to be found is my new speedo. I’m not a scrooge, just an opportunist: taking advantage of getting away with being a Christmas sloth for once.

In reality, Jesus was born in the desert, and it was probably closer to summertime than winter. I’m sure the original shepherds stood in the sun all day were just as hot and stinky as our poor Santa in his big red snowsuit. Mary probably wore sandals, and she could have caught some great sales on new ones down here. So maybe Chile is closer to an authentic Christmas than I thought.

While La Pascua Navidad will be untraditional by our standards, it promises to be fun. My parents are coming out and we’ll go to the beach. The girls will perform in a Christmas play at church and then celebrate after with ice cream (what else?). Maybe I’ll invest in a green swimcap to compliment my new swimsuit.

My only goal is to keep the season in context, and remember the reason for the celebration. The observance needs no extra fanfare. Whether hot or cold, north or south, summer or winter, this is a holiday that unites us all.

Sisma