Another round of classes in Santiago has me pondering what it is about travel that turns otherwise well-behaved, perhaps even model citizens, into traumatic, “IwantitIwantitIWANTIT!!!” children, demanding attention, not taking no for an answer (probably because they’ve learned that constants…
To paraphrase CSNY, this winter, I hear the drumming, students in protest in Conception. University students are in protest, and sometimes physical conflict, with the police all throughout Chile over issues of access and public use of funds for higher…
The scene is a common one in Hollywood films, two strangers hail the same cab and run to open the door at the same time. The ensuing dialogue is either “outta my way, that’s my taxi,” or if the plot…
The wind was blowing fiercely on the afternoon that we left for Pucon. Winter was beginning to make its presence felt. The skies were grey-white, with clouds forming a heavy blanket over Concepcion. Leaves and trash danced wildly in the…
We’re on a weekend getaway with friends in Pucon, it’s raining cats and dogs, and I finally have time to do some mindless web surfing. While reading the NY Times online, I came across a statement written by Cindi Leive,…
A friend of a friend was sexually assaulted last weekend, and I have been pondering when male violence against women will end. When will women finally be safe to be out in public, or even within their own homes? In…
Imagine a place so quiet and peaceful that you can hear your own thoughts or choose to totally disregard them, without the conscious need to meditate. That is what I discovered during a four-day/three-night horseback adventure into the Pehuenche region…
When I was a young girl, Sundays were a day for families to get together for a leisurely meal, jovial conversation, naps on the sofa, walks around the neighborhood or property, and unfettered fun. The day didn’t require massive scale…
A friend from the U.S. recently wrote that citizens are being strongly advised to prepare for disaster, and to visit a relevant government website. As I was writing the post about my Feb 27 reflections, thoughts of what we found…
After almost three years of continuous packing and unpacking, I have finally come to terms with less being more. It wasn’t easy at first, for the temptation to pack my entire wardrobe was great. The “what if’s” long held sway…