Woohoo! It never ends

So last night I did something relatively American (or at least from my language). I went to go see Roger Waters (Pink Floyd for those of you who don't know... also a Richard Gere look-alike). It was a crazy show! We had tickets in the cancha, which is the place where everyone's standing up. I have never been so close to people in my life... I felt like a sardine. It's all good though, we met lots of Chileans who apparently just wanted to talk to us because we were a bunch of cute US girls. The whole second half of the show was Dark Side of the Moon, which was my favorite part. One of the stunts for the show was a big inflatable pig painted with graffiti speaking out against certain things (especially Bush) that they let go at a high point in the show. The whole concert was incredibly political, especially against America and regimes like Pinochet, which I guess I should have expected with it being Floyd and all, but it still took me by surprise. The show itself (lights, video, explosions, etc) was worked in incredible well with the music. Pretty perfect actually. I'm really glad I went! It was especially interesting to hear the Chileans sing along to the music (do you think they know what it means?) because they were still not pronouncing all of their consonants. The Chilean accent of English is like a deaf person trying to speak (and I say that as affectionately as possible!)

(Look, it's Greta! ..for those of you who know the marvelous Greta Kaempf)

Sunday evening we went to Parque Forrestal for a bit of a study break. It's a huge festival! Kind of. It happens every week, and basically just brings the subcultures of the punks/circus types and the hippies together. Absolutely incredible. The park is full of people juggling, eating fire, aerial dancing, selling off their old stuff for cheap, selling things they made, drumming wildly, dancing, talking, playing guitar... Amazing. Here are two guys that wanted me to take their picture... I would have stopped and chatted them up but they were pretty excited about banging around! I always wonder how something like that gets started. Of course if you tried to start it on your own, with fliers and invitations and whatnot, it would never happen. I imagine a couple of people out there illegally selling old books and clothes, keeping themselves entertained with a diablo or something... The next week their buddy joins them, the next week a few more, and before you know it it's turned into a renowned destination for all types. I'm going to go there and sell off whatever I don't need before I come back so my load will be a bit lighter. Downside is that it's illegal. When the cops drive by, people scramble to roll up their blankets and peace! Being deported is not necessarily an experience I look forward to.

Today Elizabeth and I went to the Biblioteca Público de Santiago for a presentation we have on Monday, and I ended up falling in love with it. I was disappointed that we only had an hour or so in between classes to spend there, but I definitely plan on going back. You know how our libraries (especially, say, Davis) are all dark and confined and hushed? Santiago's has a whole kids section, with pillow couches and playing tables and a big "story room," so much color personality. All of the rooms are open and easy and full of youngsters hanging out (hanging out?!? in a library?!) and it's not quiet! Library is also apparently synonymous with social center, because the library also hosts exhibitions, language classes, tai chi, etc and is free for students to use as presentation rooms or whatever they need. They have ongoing programs for youth age 1 to 18 and speakers every weekend. A social video series is starting up next week. I wish all libraries could be like that! (They also have an 18+ section with books like the kama sutra, erotic evenings, homosexual love, and feminism. yes, feminism is grouped with all the naked people.)

Tomorrow there's a violent protest planned for Santiago Centro. My madre told

me to hole up somewhere for the afternoon, because if I take the metro or a micro there's a chance I'll get a rock through my window. I think I'm gonna find some rocks of my own to protest this ridiculous system.... just kidding, Mom.

I made my famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies yesterday. They don't have chocolate chips here. Or oatmeal cookies. And the cookies tasted a bit different because the sugars aren't the same here, but they were still exquisite! (of course) My madre said that at first she thought they were cauliflower or soy meat cakes... But she, mi hermano, and Gloria, the maid, all decided they love them. The entire batch is already gone. Ahhh.... sharing the love of oatmeal cookies... my job here is done!

Also, here is some random graffiti from around the city. It's something that I've really started to notice and analize, because there are so many different types! Simple stencils, designs for beauty, political statements, social statements, bad graffiti from delinquents, incredible masterpieces... I actually had the honor of seeing one being made the other day (I don't have a good picture of it, but take my word that it was indeed a masterpiece requiring much time and dedication and talent.) The graffiti here is actually one of the two topics I am considering for my month-long research project. It would be incredibly interesting to look at where the art stands now in terms of social expression or hobby, how the artists view it in contrast with how the police view it, and how it's changed since Pinochet, where street art was a huge element of social expression. Mi hermano is in a tag group, and René (our director) told me today that he has connections with some of the big-name brigades here. How someone like him has connections with people like that... I don't know, but I LIKE it!

So yeah, if you guys have any input about my project, I'm all ears. The Chiloe one seems like it's a bit over my head theoretically and a bit of a huge bite to chew. But I would also live in southern Chile in a rural setting very different from anything I've known (but it's going to be different from anything I've ever known..) The graffiti one would definitely be fun, hanging out with younger people, in the city (but in the city..) and very interesting historically and artistically. Who knows, maybe I'd even have some work of my own up by the end of it!

Welllll..... I have an incredible amount of homework to do. (Yes, this is not vacation. Two project proposals, a movie review, a life history report, educational ramblings, two readings, and a presentation all due Monday, and all in Spanish. Ai.) Have an awesome end of the week, all! Much love from the southern hemisphere...