While we may not be able to see into the future, we can definitely evaluate the past and live the present. I feel as though I am being given another opportunity to start my life, because although age 23 in the states is usually the time we begin our young adult lives, here it is acceptable to live at home, travel, play outside, and you may do so until whenever.....So in a sense, I have been reduced to about an 18 year old again, and while it is a great feeling to be cared for and looked out for, I feel as though I have lost some control over my own life, not in a bad way, just that I am dependent on other people which is something that, aside from finances, I have not been for quite some time now.
Another blast from the past is the music that is played here, the availability and variety of technology, and that kids still play outside here until the wee hours of the morning....mostly because the majority of the population cannot afford to buy an individual computer for each of there 8 children! But, it reminds me of my childhood and how I used to play Darby McClar for hours with Toph and Courtney or make a fort in the backyard, and here in Chile the children are still taking advantage of these types of activities.
Another shock is the fact that it is still very much illegal to get an abortion here, and when my friend told me about a friend of hers that had a dilemma with a pregnancy, my response was to consider an abortion, not knowing the danger and risk for women who seek this illegal operation.
Although, this country seems advanced in many ways there are many things that make social climbing as well as equal rights for the sexes a harsh obstacle. For example, I am accustomed to traveling and exploring sola and I am really not permitted to do that here, because every time I mention to one of my co-workers that I want to visit this place or hike this mountain they say well I will accompany you because it is to dangerous for you to go alone! And while, it is nice to have company and friends that are willing to try new things with you, I am not used to being given restrictions.....not since I was in High School anyway.:)) Thanks DAD!!
I guess the bottom line is that it is quite ironic to travel to South America sola, speaking a foreign language and then be told that you cannot go to the supermarket alone because it is too dangerous:)))
After 8 hours of driving on a route that is only about 300 miles, I very much appreciate the public roads in America......crossing "La Frontera" into argentina wasn't so bad but coming back into Chile we waited 2 hours in a line of cars only to park and wait in another line on foot for another hour. However, my mission was accomplished, I changed my visa status, drank and ate myself silly for ridiculously cheap and the route through the Andes is truly spectacular.
