me falta la ropa.

So we're in the AFS volunteer camp, when we have to say a fun fact about ourselves. I, keeping in mind the gazillion times when asked "aren't you cold?" every time (most of the time, actually), at least according to Chileans, I lack a jacket, long pants, scarf or thermal wear (apparently that's what you need to wear when it's only +25 degrees outside), decide to state normalmente me falta la ropa, seemingly indicating that I lack the appropriate clothes for the weather.

What I did say, however, was that normally I'm naked.

And I thought they were laughing about the joke. With me.

All in all, the last weekend was full of enlightening experiences and fun. I cannot remember the last time I attended a good volunteer workshop session (speaking of which, I can't recall my last one at all), thus the revelations of the stereotypes, ways of communication, cultural dimensions and ways of interpreting seemingly obvious actions were even more inspiring. I was again reminded that AFS is something way more than just the exchange experience. It is an opportunity for eternal learning. And I don't care if it sounds slightly cliché-ish. For me, being somewhere between exchange and volunteer experience, it was even more enriching for finally having met the awesome AFS-ers around. I must've made good impression, since three of them, Daniells, Paulina and Gabriel, were OK with seeing me for another day in the row. At last I wasn't a tourist, sightseeing around with my camera hanging heavily down the neck. Going to the place "with the best french fries in town" was definitely worth experiencing. I was fully enjoying my time there, even though some of my newly-obtained friends did go to Lollapalooza and were fully aware of the poor Latvian "with the apparently worst taste of music in the universe" (never mind the fact that the last 3 days have turned into one of the most fruitful sessions of sharing music). I can only solace myself that I'll be able to spend those pesos in Venezuela at the end of June.

In other developments, today I unsuccessfully attempted to get the national office of AFS Chile go bankrupt. This is what happens when you make name tags for the students and then print one page of the file to see how it turns out to be.

Too good I'm a volunteer and can't be deprived of a salary for spending all paper resources.

Last Thursday was a memorable day due to the Starptautiskā Jadvigu Diena or that one day in year when I allow to call me Jadviga and get presents in return. Actually, an even better moment was finding a parcel on my bed today, it previously having been in seven different countries and, when finally getting to our gate, rejected by the guard (I admit, I played my part there with poor Spanish) on Friday and eventually finding me late today. If I had a real smartphone right now I would make a cute Instagram picture and share the just-how-awesome-and-sweet-is-that present. Well, too good I don't, and what's personal remains so.

My host sister Camila made a nice tour of that one European-centre-ish-like barrio in Santiago, Providencia, I had been missing way too much. It's simply got everything, the vibe, the dynamics, the grande commercial and apartment buildings, the green and the sun. And the tallest building in Latin America, Torre Gran Costanero of 300m height [the sigh at thinking of Gaiziņš' 312m]. It is so high the brain gets confused when looking at the bottom six floors, home to a large commercial centre, since they seem insignificant relative to the rest of the tower, while the brain still tries to convince that six floors isn't that low as well.

Camila also showed me one of her Uni's campuses, Architecture & Design. I can only say I was impressed by the architecture, by the interior, by the creative atmosphere created by the students and environment, and all the possibilities available to them.

This is the practical lab, where students can actually make things they've thought of, and use them for homework, expo or business offer for an arts enthusiast. When seeing this, I was again struck by the contrasts seen everywhere. This nice university (or another, located in the affluent Los Condes district, La Universidad Los Andes, famous for its wealthy student pool) contrasting with the generally poor level of education. The large and modern private hospital Alemana contrasting with the around 80% population who have no private insurance and have to put up with slow and inconsiderate medical attendance. What struck me most that in a situation of a person having a stroke right next to a private hospital, he might be attended by its doctors either on the street or at the reception until the state ambulance would take one to the public hospital, never mind any medical conditions. "Welcome to Latin America," was the response I got to my surprise.

I cannot forget the gender roles. To me it feels certainly strange by how clear it is that it's the man's job to primarily care about the financial well-being of the family, while love and affection comes from women. I still remember how annoyed I was by Jose Miguel who kept telling me to switch sides when walking down a street. "Does he really think he can tell me on which side of his I must walk?" was my only thought, until he explained by how he feels better when being on the car-side of the pavement in order to protect me should anything happen. Bind blown, huh? Or, how despite the late hour, Gabriel offered to walk me to the bus, take the metro (two, actually), walk me to the place where my brother Felipe would pick me up and wait for him, eventually spending at least an extra hour when doing the favour and rejecting my "you don't have to do this, I'll be fine"'s by simply stating that he likes to know I'm safe. I can only say I'm amazed.

And there's just so much more than that yet to be found out! Too good I finally start becoming a local. After all, I don't need the city map.