Hola Chiquillos

Things are going well here. Yesterday I went to the Parada Militar de Chile with Josè. It was a ton of fun! The parade is in the Parque O´Higgins and it was full of people. We walked around looking at the different things and went into the aquarium and insect exibits too. Josè is not a fan of bugs I found out...

Every year after the 18th of Sept., the whole Chilean military lines up and marches. It is interesting to see all the different parts of the military and kind-of fome que no hacemos esto. When the main parade starts, the General asks permission of the President of Chile if they can proceed. Of course, she says yes and they march onward. Proud parents are in the orillas shouting at their sons and daughters, taking as many pictures as they can before you can no longer see their faces. It was a sea of people, but not as many as in years past I was told.

Josè was fun to be with. He shared about the military, the traditions and we shared back-and-forth conversation. It is amazing what I learned about him in the hours we were at the park. He shares a lot of the things I would like to find in a person, but he is a little too old for me. Very distinct from what I have been used to, perhaps because of experience with life. The conversation flowed because both sides shared and built upon what was said before. He was open with me because I was open with him, I think. It is something I would like to find in the future... or maybe with that which is right in front of me...

Anyhow, today I am wandering the streets of Santiago doing who-knows-what. I bought some Chilean cook books and who knows what else the day has in store before it is all over. I really enjoy Chile and I have missed it so much over the past year-and-a-half.

Monday, I danced the Cueca (traditional Chilean dance) for the first time... with the bishop! ha! It was so much fun. In part because I didn´t know what I was doing. I think it is the first time I have followed the guy while dancing... I should really get better at that.

Anyhow, I will have to post photos when I get home because I am not so trusting of public computers with my memory cards. So, all two of you who read this will have to wait another week-and-a-half before you can see what I have been up to.