Four boxes of brownies, grasshoppers, chocolate fondue, and an opportunity to meet with one of Chile´s most popular Presidential candidates...(and that was just Saturday!) Although a couple friends tried to convince me to join them on a return trip to Mendoza, I promised myself that it was time to take a weekend off and catch up on studying (like that was going to happen!)


Although I was hopeful that classes would be cancelled Thursday, due to an upcoming government decision regarding financial aid for college students (which of course sparks the usual riots,) classes continued as usual, thus I found myself walking past tanks of various shapes and sizes, all spraying water at the protestors. It was rather hard to focus on the lecture....

Thursday night I got out the Fodor´s and decided to try a new Peruvian place in Bellavista, one of the more "artistic" neighborhoods of Santiago.
Friday, with a trip to one Santiago´s most "cuico" (upscale) shopping malls, Alto Las Condes was like a trip back to the states. We spent far too much at Ruby Tuesday´s and various US stores. Thus, we decided to do something a little more cultural on Saturday and took a trip to acclaimed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda´s third home on the Pacific, Isla Negra.


After a two hour bus ride we arrived at the tiny coastal village, complete with sandy roads, countless stray dogs, and unbelievable empañadas de pino (practically the size of a dictionary.) Neruda´s house contained several ancient nautical artifacts (though apparently he was afraid of water) and interesting collections of everything from shells to scarab beetles. As an aspiring author, I found it entertaining that Neruda was careful to wash his hands before and after writing.


The next stop, Pomaire, (also comprised of dirt roads and plywood vendor stands) is home to some of Chile´s best (and cheapest) pottery. Apparently the potters in Pomaire are famous for their piggy banks, since several people asked me to bring them one back. However, the highlight of the Pomaire visit was less anticipated. While dining at a local restaurant, which featured huge stacks of grilled chorizo (sausage) and chicha (beer brewed from grapes,) we suddenly became aware of TV cameramen flooding into the restaurant. Though we are accustomed to receiving "extra attention," (sometimes unwanted) as "gringos," our suspicions of the arrival of someone more important were soon confirmed. Soledad Alvear, currently one of the 2 most popular Presidential candidates, was making a "publicity stop" and gave a short speech before sitting down to lunch. Although nearly all of the other dining options in Pomaire involve street vendors and unfamiliar meat, we were still ecstatic to have chosen the same dining establishment as such a well-known political figure. We tried to limit ourselves to one roll of film.


Today brought a surprise teaching opportunity. After taking three wrong buses (a new record) I arrived at Liceo Benjamín "to observe" an English class in session. As it turned out, the teacher was anxious for the class to hear a native English accent, and I was soon involved in a lively discussion regarding school uniforms and Thanksgiving with 60+ high school students. I was excited when my cooperating teacher invited me to dine with him at the "casino," until my dictionary confirmed that this was another word for cafeteria.
Fortunately, I can put lesson plans behind me as I head to Buenos Aires for the weekend...