La Gringa

Walking through the packing house in Propal(the export company that I am working for) is truly an adventure....there are all kinds of things going on, shipments of fruit arriving, shipments being packed to go out, packing materials and machine problems, but the main attraction seems to be my blonde hair. It is a good thing that I don't scare easy, because when I walk through the packing house everybody looks at me as if I am an alien. Then there is the other matter of lunch, in Chile a cafeteria is called a casino (but you cannot gamble in this casino) and everyday you swipe your card and receive a ticket to eat lunch, there are usually two choices of entrees, salad, bread, and dessert. Everyone eats lunch together, but just like in any other society, the people that work in packing eat together and the people that work in the office eat together, there is very much a hierarchy within Propal. However, I am the only "gringa" and it is actually a term meant in quite and endearing way, but everybody refers to as "La Gringa" and my place in the world is quite interesting, because I am bombarded with questions about where I come from and what I am doing here. It is a good feeling to see that people are interested in you, and it is fun for me to see people smiling when I say something in spanish that might have an alternative meaning. In the United States, people think someone who is not fluent in English are stupid, but here someone who is trying to speak the language and somewhat succeeding is greatly admired. Also I went to Yoga last night for the first time with my roomate Francisca and it was sooo relaxing. I think that I enjoyed it more because it was actually in somebody's house, with a wood fire burning, candles lit, and we practiced yoga in silence. There was no religion, but it seemed spiritual to me and made me feel and peace with my mind, body, and soul. Who knew the american girl would find a way to finally relax in Chile......