Big City Livin'

Glad to say that my trip to Santiago has been so far a success. I'll say it was an exhusting travel, but for the last day and a half I've been experiencing this town for all it's worth. I began my journey on friday evening after my last class at a school called Tres Cruses. I took the bus to Vacuna (between Pisco and LaSerena). I had to take out some money and passed the time before my night bus left at 10pm. O took allot of photos, hung around the plaza and went into some shops. Oh I also had the world's best empenada. Called the Neopolitana, it's made with chicken, tomato, ricotta, oregano, and olive oil. Mmm.
Unfortunately the bus ride was not as satisfying as I spent the first two and a half hours trying to fall asleep amist the booming of 90's pop music vidoes, there is no genre I now detest more. And in Chilean fashon, there were only thirty second clips pliced together, one after the other. I woke around 5am when the bus pulled into the station in Santiago, it was really cold which all of you are used to. I was expecting a summer morning. I spent an hour under a gigantic plastic christmas tree that serves as the main icon of this station during the holiday season waiting for the metro to open. Of coarse I misunderstood Leo's (the man im staying with)directions, we were both waiting for the other at ajacent terminals, and ended up not finding him for another hour. When all was said and done I took a long nap when I got to his house.

The Final Countdown

Today Daniel, Andrea (an English teacher), and I went to the river near my house called Refugio de Angel (angel’s refuge). We paid two dollars to enter a camping area that is beside a large pool maybe twenty meters wide, fifty meters long, and over a meter and a half deep. Though there were more than twenty people there it felt as if we had the place to ourselves. I took pictures of Daniel and Andrea throwing around the Frisbee and of the long bridge we crossed to get to our secluded resting area under the shade of gigantic willows. We swam, sunbathed, and played crazy eights until 6pm. I was an extremely relaxing day away from the busyness of teaching and learning Spanish; I was able to just float around and think, something I haven’t done in a log time. My hunger was really the only thing that brought us out of our “refuge” and back to Pisco to get something to eat. But today at the river will long be one of my fondest memories of Chile.
These next few days will be my last in the schools, then its off to santiago for a few days and probably a short trip to Argentina to renew my visa (I'll be 6 days over when I leave, talk about poor planning on my part). Pray that all goes smoothly in my travels and of corse for saftey as I am going my myself. Life is an adventure right? I send all my love, God bless.

Another Year, Another Day

My birthday party was, well different. Barbara and Pablo set up a table in the back yard and we ate tuna sandwiches and jam made out of what I think is a type of melon. There was a bag in the frig all week that said ‘Cuidado, Christian no mira!’ (Be careful Christian, don’t look!). I couldn’t have guess that it was a cake. Chocolate with cherries, and was unlike the other cake I’ve eaten here, which is much moister. Pablo brought out rum so we all poured a little of that on our pieces to wet them down a bit.

I actually turned 19 while I was climbing in the Andes. That night Pablo was taking a couple out for what is here called ‘night trekking’ so Francisca and I tagged along. It turned out to be a grueling four hour excursion up into the mountain range above Pisco Elqui. We hiked so high above our town we couldn’t see its lights. And as we did the stars really became beautiful in the amazingly clear skies. I don’t think I’ll forget that birthday any time soon.

Things are really winding down in the schools. Tomorrow night there is an end of the year concert with all the little schools of the valley. Each performs a combination of skits or plays or songs. It’s not a competition but more a celebration of what they’ve learned all year. The themes range from Gabriela Mistral to Legends of the Valley. Ill be sure to take lots of pictures. Also America is learning to crawl. It first started with her shoving her forehead into the floor and flailing her legs. She found out she can use her hands too, so she’s pretty good at wiggling. But the more she grunts the better she gets. Oh and I've been able to post about 40 pictures to my Picasa Web Album. The website is picasaweb.google.com and you'll have to search for my profile (Christian.J.E.Turner). Thats all for now, God bless.

How to Find a Feather

Two nights ago I stayed over at a family’s house who I have become great friends with since being here. I originally met Maria Eugenia while working at La Esquela Ortiga where she works part time. She and her husband Lucas have three children: Valentina (14), Diego (7), and Elsie (4), all of whom adore me. They live about thirty minutes higher in the valley than I do in a little rustic cottage. Though both Maria and Lucas were raised in large cosmopolitan cities, they chose a quieter life here in the Valle de Elqui where Lucas has begun raising goats. I’ve been over a few times, but this time I spent the night which I think was a nice break for Pablo and Barbra. We made bread and barbequed chicken, bathed in the river, and had long talks by candle light; but I most enjoyed a peaceful nights sleep devoid of regeton music.
In the morning, after a breakfast of porridge, I decided to go for a walk along a canal that flows through the upper portion of their land. Tall and twisted trees grow on either side of the waterway, and I felt a sort of energy walking in their shade. My feet became muddy and my clothes covered in plant matter, but what’s an experience if some of it doesn’t stick to you?
After going across a few properties, I spotted some structures on a hill above me. First I entered a stable, inside was all charcoal as though it was burned out. I rested in its coolness away from the sun and thought about continuing along the canal. But the mystery of the others intrigued me. Just above rested a long adobe building, which may have been a barn. I circled the structure and found, to my dismay, that all the windows and doors were boarded up. The only viable entrance was a bard door that was open about 12 feet off the ground. I used a window sill to scale the building and was able to poke my head in the opening, but found that there was an overturned table blocking my view.
On the way down I noticed that the shutters on the window budged a little. With little expectation I gave the board a shove and heard a thud as the wood creaked inward. I climbed through into a dark room and found a rock, what was holding the window shut, on the floor. The only other thing in the room was a poster of a Catholic Virgin on the wall. I explored the three other rooms of the building by the light that fell through the cracks of the ceiling above me. All were situated in a row with a hallway running through them. The second contained a pile of dust and trash with two brooms and a hand made ladder. The third had a more rusted cans and a bed frame, the last, heaps of decaying barbed wire and another ladder.
I remembered that I had left my water bottle and notebook out side the house and thought I didn’t expect that anyone would be passing by, it would have been a definite sign that someone was in the house. I brought them inside and went to explore the rooms once more. Just as I was leaving the barbed wire room to go, I noticed a square hole in the corner of the ceiling. I used the larger ladder, which was difficult to maneuver because of its weight, the barbed wire, and the room’s small size, and positioned it under the opening. It had a few rungs missing and on the way up another one broke. When I entered the attic, a wave of dank heat engulfed me. Pigeons the size of crows fluttered out through the holes in the roof as I creaked along the floorboards. There were feather and poop everywhere; in some places so thick I couldn’t see the round. The walls were stained with long cascades of feces. There were wasps everywhere, humming in the heat. Old hives hung fossilized to the rafters or lay strewn amongst the feathers. Only when I walked to the barn door could I breathe fresh air again.

Its all in the Lighting

I meet Daniel on the corner of our streets at 9:30, the usual meting place and time. Tonight we had been invited over to the house of a bartender, Diego, we had meet the night before. We haden't really undrstood the directions he'd given us, but this is small town, most people know each other. His day job is that of a highschool teacher here in the valley, and he was interested in talking to us about what we do here. I get the vibe that he has an unwilling acceptance of us, like most teachers. I feel they probably put us in the same category as all he other tourists who pack the camping grounds for the weekend, squander their money in the bars, litter the streets, and leave with some really unappreciated pictures of mountains and sunsets.
A man named Herman saw us walking on down the street, he said if we wern't doing anything tonight his nephew was having people over, we said we had other plans and continued walking to 'El Tosoro'(a German resturant/camping ground), the usual meting place for the volenteers and young germans of Pisco. I failed to mention that since I don't have a cell phone, everything is sort of spur of the moment, and this is the best place to find someone who knows, for example, where Diego lives.
All of the Germans i knew working, so we waited out front (their shift ends at 10). Strangely, Chile is a strange place but no Chilean will ever tell you that, Herman drove by and asked again if we were sure we didn´t want a life to his nephew, Diego's, house. I can't see how you could call anything coincidence here. We agreed and he drove us a few minutes up at dirt road into the valley where we camped two weekend ago. It was now dark; as we started up an almost nonexistant rocky road, Hermans car stalled. He pointed to some lights a hundred meters above us (i think in metric now), and said we'd just have to walk the rest of the way.
We reached a house on a plateau and saw a roaring bonfire in the distance with two shadows standing next to it. I've learned that in ambiguous stiuations like this, its best to just shout '¡Hola Amigos!' They shouted back something muffled in the night air. I was relieved to find that when we neared the figues they were Diego and Marco (a twenty something German who seems to know 'where the party at').
The night held a few incredible stories about how Diego drag races muscle cars in the dessert below San Pedro, how he encountered a jaguire while camping alone in the Andies, how back at home (Easter Island) he and his friends surf down grassy slopes on banana trunks wearing only a loin cloth and decorative fethers. As the shame of living a relatively unadventurous life was beginning to set in, I learned that the real reason he wanted us at his house was to see the moon rise.
Over a horison of black jagged mountains sat a mass of whispy clouds that were being slowly illuminated by an unseen light. The stars over the east began to fade, a large red ring formed in the cloud and a bright white orb at its center broke the peak. As the moon rose we stood, chuckling at the rediculousness of the bearty. The mountain range behind us became a projecton screen for the bands of moonlight were striping through the layers of clouds at the oppisite end of the sky. The rock mountains became a pool of rippling light and dark stripes. Diego explained that the ring, which is now shades of red, orange, yellow, and blue, is a moonbow formed by the light of the moon through the clouds. I took a few pictures, but it was difficult to get the color of the Moonbow without over exposing and loosing the shape of the clouds. Some aspects of nature refuse to be captured. God Bless.

Light in the Midst of the Tunnel

I ended up not going to San Pedro, and i think it was for the best. It would have been over a twenty hour bus ride there and back. And two of my five vacation days would have been spent traveling. Instead, Daniel, Holly, and I went camping in a valley about thirty minutes walk form our town. We brought flashlights (British call them torches) and explored a few hundred yards of the cave close to were we set camp.

Instead of being conic, this cavern is most like a long tunnel with one to three foot of murky water to walk through. At a few point we had to crouch or contort our bodies to get through, but the space was traversable the entire time we explored. We eventually turned back when Holly was fed up with the rat feces and Daniel stepped on something large and squishy which made him suddenly concerned of radon poisoning. A few times on the way back out we turned off our lights and just stood in the darkness. There was no light, just the smell of earth and the sound of water moving over our feet. For those few moments there was so much peace.

At our campsite we could hear the stream that ran into the cave. Holly had the foresight to have us buy some food before we left. Daniel and I just wanted to “wing it”. We bought potatoes, eggs, bread, onions, potatoes, and chicken, all of which cost less than six dollars. We kind of invented some cooking techniques using aluminum plates, hot rocks, and a metal grate. We ended up cooking some very interesting and tasty meals.

The night came so quickly, as it does in the valley. We must have spent two hours and five logs around the campfire telling a collaborative ghost story that still gives me the chills. In my foolishness, I didn’t bring pants because we’ve been having really warm nights. But because it was an unusually cold spring night, and because we were still haunted by our story, and because it hard to sleep when the sky is so bright, we laid awake spotting shooting stars and satellites streaking through southern constellations. It was the first time I had seen the stars begin to disappear as the sky pails into sun rise since I’ve been here. I forgot how alive it makes me feel.
God bless.

Tiempo Libre

Happy to say I'm out of my sickness and back to being the old self. Ive been taking walks lately to get some exercise in the afternoons, and even ran a couple of times but I look like the village idiot. No one here runs, unless its an emergency. In this culture, there is rarely an occasion that would warrent that kind of response. I know I haven't been as upto date with these blogs as I'd like to be. When I do get a chance on the computer its divided between answering emails, skyping the family, trying to upload my photos, and writing this blog.
The english teacher that I'm working with is sick this week (she didn't get it from me), since I'm technically not supposed to work with the kids unless the teacher is there, I'll have the next few days off. I'm contemplating a extended weekend trip to San Pedro, about a days bus ride or a 1 and a half hour flight. Price shopping looks like it would be cheaper to fly. Two other voulenteers are going up there this Thursday so I might join them. If I'm not doing that, Daniel, Holly, and I will be exploring some local caves that are part of an undrground river. There have been endless things to entertain me here. It seems as though I'm daily finding some interesting new aspect about the valley I had no idea existed.
I recieved my first letters this past weekend, thanks Ashley and Alicia. I know there are more coming, but it does take about two and a half weeks. As I said, I have had allot of free time so I'll write back soon. Thank you for your prayers. God Bless.

Too Much of it Could Get You Sick...

Glad to see followers list is growing, i it really encouraging that i have this much support. This past weekend was odd. Ive been sick with a head cold so ive been kind of out of it, its no fun being sick when youre not with you family and friends.im just getting over it, but just have that detached feeling still. Theyre haveing a festival this whole week in honor of Mother Marry, everyone gets dressed up as her and theres a parade, its like holoween but bible style. The poeple wore rediculous clothes like pirates mixed with samauri, and theres a big light up icon of the vergin that they cary in the procession. I took pictures, but this is the fourth computer now that will not allow me to uploadmyu photos, luckily i still have plenty of room on my memory card, im getting so frustrated with error code 4. you don't even know! Daniel, the now voulenteer got in two nights ago, i think were going to be good friends. there is a mountain above the valley that i think we can climb in one day.i convincedhim and the other girls were going to do it. theres a huge flag on top so i think it only propper that we leave a mark of our own. There are alot of people in town this weekend because of the parade so ive been treated alot like a tourist. I guess i kind of am. oh i completely forgot! Abbie, Louraine,(two other voulenteers) and i were on the local radio, we wereinterviewed about our experiences as teachers in the schools. it was part of english month here in Chile. God bless.

Getting Down to Buisness

Wow, i have little time for this one, im now using the computer at the Municipalidad in Paiguano. This is the only computer ive found thus far that has relatively fast internet, but unfortunately I´m not allowed to upload my pictures. It really is getting frustrating, my photos are sitting on the desktops of two computers who arenen´t fast enough to upload them... this trip is a lesson in pacience. I continually find myself in seemingly trying situations with little information and energy to wait for my ride or what ever it may be. I have made a few new friends, other voulenteers. Abbie from Michigan, Holly and Louraine form the UK, and next week a guy my age named Daniel is also coming from England. We´ve got a nice little crew started. Things have started to settle down, but each day is no less of an adventure. All the schools in the valley are putting on a concert in English and since im workig at 6 school, the teacher and I have to put together 6 songs with the kids. Unfortunately, some children are being less than cooperative. They love it when I siing the songs for them, but I haven´t gotten it through to them that I don´t need the practice. (maybe i do) America my now three month old baby sister is becoming much the center of the family. In the afternoons I sing her Regina and a couple of times she has tried to sing with me. She likes jazz too, sometimes we dance to Jaco. I´ve never seen a cuter thing. The other day when we were singing and she saw her mom and said ¨mama¨in my arms. Those were her first words and I was holding her!
I have to go, write me.
God Bless.

In to the Groove

Sorry its been a while, internet access is not easy to come by in the valley. Right now i am at the Cochiquaz (co-chi-waz) Primary School in the Cochiquaz Valley, neighboring Pisco Valley where I am staying. Most of the fifteen students at this school come from wealthier famlies, unlike children from the other schools in Pisco. The land here is very beautiful, very fertile, and very expensive. As a result, Cochiquaz has become the beverly hills, if you will, of the Andies Mountains. This is my third day teaching and i really have enjoied it. So far I've taught at four schools ranging from ages three to twelve. But i like the five and six year olds best because they can sit still long enough for a picture, and have an interest in colors and shapes (my level of teaching). The other teachers and I do have alot of problems disiplining the children. Many think its ok to talk during a lesson, eat candy, get up and leave the class, wrestle on the floor, or pretend they don´t understand your questions to stall the lesson. Its exhausting but rewarding, kids will be kids i guess.
I forgot to bring the cabel that connects my camera to the computer (I know right?) so i havent been able to upload any of my 200 pictures yet, but im looking for one, and as soon as i can get one from home or here, ill post them all to Picasa.

Yesterday I learned that i can recieve mail here, it takes about 3 weeks, but its better than nothing. Our address is:
Barbra Tamblay
Pisco Elqui s/n
Paihuano, Chile

Thats it...I know, I still doubt it too. Life is simpler here.
God bless.

Estoy aqui

Hello everyone, after an exhausting day of travel I am safely in the valley. I am writing from a computer in my host family´s house. We don´t usually have internet, but we´re ¨borrowing¨ from a local connection. The family i´m staying with is rediculously nice. For my first meal (lunch) we ate large slabs of pork with rice and last night they cooked me fresh noodles with scallops and mushrooms in a cream sauce and and a sort of large leafed lettuce with oil and vinegar. And wine, i had probably four glasses with my meals yesterday. Most of it was grown in this valley, the rest in similar places in Chile. So far, i have seen a few types of drinks: agua (water), jugo de naranga (orange juice like SunnyD), Coke, Sprite, te´(very black tea), cervesas (beer), vino (wine) and pisco (a yellow alcohol that we blended with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and ice). I am happy to say that i have not gotten sick yet, but expect it. Thats all for now. Email me at christian.j.e.turner@gmail.com if you have questions that i could answer on this blog, and i´ll get to answering them when I can . God bless.

Like Clockwork

Like Clockwork

So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Its strange how much takes place everyday with regards to prayers being answered for my trip. Three days ago I went in to the Long Beach Health Department for for a consultation about traveling abroad. I had a hunch there were some new vaccines I would need before my trip. The physician I talked to was so kind as to save me a return trip to the department; I walked out with 5 little band-aids on my arms and nausea in my stomach. Needless to say i am up to snuff with the physical requirements for traveling abroad and my helper-T's will vouch for that.

My dad also helped me buy travelers insurance and book my flight yesterday. 22 hours from LAX to Lima, Peru to Santiago, Chile to La Serena, Chile (Anna Karenina's going down). Though on the bright side, I am a few hundred dollars away from my monetary goal thanks to you! It goes without saying that if you haven't contributed and would like to, I am still happy to receive anything you have to offer (travelers checks, books, clothes, stationary supplies, a pillow case with your face on it).

Thanks for your constant interest in my trip and I look forward to hearing from a few of you soon. Tell your peeps about this blog. God bless.

Thanks for the encouragement

Thanks for the encouragement

Ah, its so encouraging to see that so many of my friends are following this blog. I do have a few updates though. Firstly, i now know my departure date, September 14. (less than a month i know!). Talking to one of the team members i'm in contact with, we finalized my plans which are as follows: i will be spending 3 months in Chile (Sep14 through Dec 18), and upon the conclusion of those three months i have the options of either coming back to the states, staying on for another 2-3 months doing an inter-mural program of sorts with the kids during their summer vacation, or traveling to Ecuador to in a similar situation at a local school there.
I still need to raise about 2 thousand dollars if i want to be able to stay any longer than three months, but if its part of the plan, God will provide. Thank you for your prayers and support thus far. Everywhere i go i get a smile and a hug from a person who cares about my life and wants to hear more about my trip. Its the best. Please continue to tell your friends about this blog! God Bless.

Hola éste es el principio! (Hello, this is just the beginning!)

Hola family and friends, this is the first official blog for my Chilean trip! With this blog, i hope to keep you informed of my day to day experiences throughout my stay in South America. I'm told i will have weekly access to a computer while there so i plan to leave a message here every so often and maybe even a few pictures!

I'm now in the process of raising money for the trip, waiting for my passport in the mail, getting vaccines (Hepatitis and Malaria and Typhoid oh my!) and booking a flight to La Serena, Chile. Once all these pieces are in place i will post more information about my exact departure date and the like.

I ask that you pray my transition from white middle class suburbia to the Elqui valley will be smooth and more importantly, safe. Thank you for your continued support, and tell your friends about this blog! God bless.