or
43,352 minutes
722 hours
30 days
4 weeks
!!!!
I feel overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, angry, but I am taking careful precautions in planning my first meal back in the States (as of now I'm thinking INDIAN BUFFET...saliva saliva saliva).
As I near the end of my stay, I've obviously been reflecting on all the awesome things I have done and wild experiences I have had...which brings me to this lovely chart:
Heather Horton was right about culture shock and I have definitely experienced all of these stages (I believe I am in between "reentry shock" and "re-integration", closer to shock though lol). But the pattern conveyed by this chart is similar (I believe) to what a break up is like. I mean, like living in another place, you change your life in a fairly drastic way. You lose a sense of comfort and familiarity and are alone in an unknown area. But when you master or at least understand where you are, you can grow and experience different things. Sure, its uber uncomfortable and terribly difficult at times, but I know I have dramatically changed (or am in the process of changing lol) because of the things I have learned and have come to understand. This is more than just a few vocab words or dancing by yourself, its realizing how you interact/respond to different situations.
I realized about 2 weeks ago, that I adore Chile, its place, people, customs, oddities and even sometimes its food (this realization actually hit me like a brick wall). Coming to Chile, living here, experiencing this country was like starting a new relationship again, but in reverse because the exciting bits at at the end are when I got to know Chile and fully appreciate it from a non-touristy point of view.
This song expresses my love quite aptly, especially for Valpo (and there are pictures!!!)
But I'm not done with Chile, yet, I still have a month left for exciting adventures!!! Now enjoy the song constantly in my head (although I don't mind-its quite catchy)
