Well, it finally happened. I found myself caught between two languages. While on the phone with a customer service representative, trying desperately trying to track down a purchase ordered from the U.S., I found that I could not give my…
One of my favorite soliloquies, from “Man of La Mancha,” comes to mind as I think about our recent drive through Dichato on the way to Pingueral… “Life as it is. I’ve lived for over forty years, and I’ve seen…
As the trailing expatriate partner in our relocation to Chile, I had left behind a fulfilling career and community activities, which were the foundation for both my personal and professional identity. In the beginning, it was a difficult transition from…
Next month is our two-year anniversary of living in Chile, and I was quite surprised to hear two different people say that I was now “almost a Chilena” (female Chilean). It has given me quite a pause to reflect on…
Tomorrow is the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, and it is always a surprise to find that another holiday is upon us. It seems that just when I am getting settled back into a routine, we’re off for another…
Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” The Wizard of Oz Rainbows are springing up everywhere this past week. Every time that the rain…
The morning sun filtered through the kitchen window, giving light to my newest adventure in expat baking. While vacationing in Puyehue, home to volcanoes, thermal spas and ski slopes, we had purchased a large yellow-orange pumpkin to satisfy a craving…
It used to be boots, parkas, shovels and snowblowers, and now, it’s galoshes, raincoats and a colorful wave of umbrellas lining the hall that marks the arrival of winter. Somewhere towards the end of June, the skies open up, and…
Life in Concepcion has virtually returned to normal, even though an occasional replica reminds us that the earth is not quite comfortable with its adjustments. Post traumatic stress still has everyone a little jittery, but barring any disruptions from our…
May 27 represented a four-month mark since Chile experienced the second greatest earthquake in its recorded history, and after much contemplation and adjustment, it is finally time to post the photos taken during the stressful drive from Lago Lleu Lleu…