Today is el Día de Juventud Combatiente (yes, it's a cognate) so you can imagine what this day might have entailed! It originally started to commemorate the assassination of two politically active and socialist college students in 1985, during Pinochet's reign. Once democracy was restored, 
students joined together to memorialize the two brothers with this day, and throughout history it has been a day of violence and protest because of the nature of the assassination. At two, all universities closed, and our classes were canceled. Our director entered our institute, out of breath and sweating, and proceeded to tell us all to go home now or we could be in danger of our safety (lives?). Of course, we were a bit freaked out.
students joined together to memorialize the two brothers with this day, and throughout history it has been a day of violence and protest because of the nature of the assassination. At two, all universities closed, and our classes were canceled. Our director entered our institute, out of breath and sweating, and proceeded to tell us all to go home now or we could be in danger of our safety (lives?). Of course, we were a bit freaked out.Our little group of naive gringos headed out, laughing nervously about the threat, and what do 
we see almost as soon as we're out of the building? A small horde of black-clad youth taking over a micro. That's a bus, and it was full of people. I'm pretty sure they would have knocked it over had the cops not shown up. Next thing we know, this group of people is running in our direction, and behind them a huge tank spitting water 300 feet. We could feel the tear gas from where we were. Instincts: take pictures? join them? run for my life? None of the public transportation signs survived their wrath. And they destroyed this telephone booth.
we see almost as soon as we're out of the building? A small horde of black-clad youth taking over a micro. That's a bus, and it was full of people. I'm pretty sure they would have knocked it over had the cops not shown up. Next thing we know, this group of people is running in our direction, and behind them a huge tank spitting water 300 feet. We could feel the tear gas from where we were. Instincts: take pictures? join them? run for my life? None of the public transportation signs survived their wrath. And they destroyed this telephone booth.Lauren and I went in search of more riots, following our journalistic noses. We found another American (who was wearing Chacos!! the first person I've seen with Chacos! We're sisters now.) who came with us, also with the desire to be a part of this blood of the nation. Unfortunately, we just found lots of cops.
This is also happening at the same time as 
a strike by the drivers of all of the micros. The entire transportation system shut down as of 7:00. For these two reasons, everyone was going home by about six. I will take this opportunity to show you guys a little bit of what the metro is like. First, the doors. This is what the train looks like every morning when I try to get on. The edge of the train is somewhat under those two nice ladies you see there, a bit smaller than the group of people inside of it. Check out the BBC page if you want to read about it, or hear lots of stories about how much transport sucks. Every morning, almost caught in the doors. Loco. Second, here is the connection tunnel in Tobalaba today. I exited the train and ran into this, which stretches down the tunnel you can see, around the corner, down the steps, another short tunnel, and then the platform. It was nuts. I have no idea what it looks like out there right now. More riots, no transportation.. 
a strike by the drivers of all of the micros. The entire transportation system shut down as of 7:00. For these two reasons, everyone was going home by about six. I will take this opportunity to show you guys a little bit of what the metro is like. First, the doors. This is what the train looks like every morning when I try to get on. The edge of the train is somewhat under those two nice ladies you see there, a bit smaller than the group of people inside of it. Check out the BBC page if you want to read about it, or hear lots of stories about how much transport sucks. Every morning, almost caught in the doors. Loco. Second, here is the connection tunnel in Tobalaba today. I exited the train and ran into this, which stretches down the tunnel you can see, around the corner, down the steps, another short tunnel, and then the platform. It was nuts. I have no idea what it looks like out there right now. More riots, no transportation.. 
There is also a soccer game tonight taking place in the neighborhood which is supposed to experience the most intense riots. South America + fútbol = riot. Cola-Cola (the team) + any excuse = riot. riot + riot + riot = chaos. I'll have to update you later. Let's just say that I'm glad I live in pretty little residential Ñuñoa and am sitting safely five stories above the ground, just in case.
Also, this cool guy that always sells earrings on the street is taking my friend and I out for beers on Tuesday. He said he's going to find us pololos. This guy is such a great example of a Chilean... he's selling earrings on the streets, but talks to anyone who walks by. Pretty much an unofficial guide book that breathes. Today we found out that not only does he know pretty much everything about world history and current politics, but also lived in France and Germany for many years to escape the military government. So here we are: street vendor. super intelligent. interesting and complicated history. super enthusiastic about getting to know and helping people. and he wears old sunglasses and a torn up sweater. People here seem so simple on the outside, like you can put them in a box and no big deal. But once you start talking to them, you realize that even if you sat for a week with them and just listened to their life stories, you would never get to the end of it. Like Shrek says, they're like onions. They've got layers.
This beautiful girl is Kira. This is a beautiful picture. Here there are only
beautiful people. When you have too many things to do and so many places to go, but you spend hours sitting in a cafe talking and afterwards feel like you have just received manna from heaven, that those hours have been the most precious out of many hours, that you would sacrifice much to always have those type of hours within reach, you know you have found a place that is too beautiful for a name, or a location, or anything that would tie it down. Like Jump, Little Children said.. "There is a feeling/ That you should just go home /And spend a lifetime /Finding out just where that is." Hey life, what's up? Feel like going on a bear hunt? I'm looking for home.With that, I will leave you. Time to check on night-clad wanderers.
1 comment:
Wow. Sounds like you are having quite the experience there! While I get excited when the Australians start a fight in the pub down the street -- you get riots! I'm a little jealous. ;)
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