The Araucania Tree

The Araucania Tree
Only in Chile and Dr. Seuss books.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Healthy, or at least well on my way

I think I may have won the battle against this South American virus that tried to ruin me. My host family was nothing short of amazing and gracious while I was sick. My host father drove to the nearest big city, Los Angeles, to pick up medicine for me. My host mother checked on me various times daily and their maid brought me herbal tea to strengthen me and calm my upset stomach continuously throughout the day. They also kept close watch of my intake and only allowed me toast and chicken and rice. They also didn't make fun of me for sleeping nearly 20 hours a day. They are amazing.
To celebrate my reclaimed health my host father made me a true American meal last night. Hamburgers, beer, and hashbrowns have never tasted so good. We toasted to my good fortune and then shared our life philosophies over some wine and brandy. We talked about the afterlife, the here and now, and what faith means to us. I cannot tell you how amazing it is to hear these perspectives in Spanish and how much more eloquent and beautiful they sound. We also read some Neruda aloud. It felt like an authentic Chilean experience for sure.
Today marks the beginning of Holy Week throughout the Christian world, we chose to celebrate it by eating out. The restaurant we went to did not have a menu and offered two options an asado (a piece of mysterious barbecued meat) or a sandwich. I opted for the sandwich which really is just a mysterious piece of meat smothered in mayonnaise and avocado. I am most definitely returning to the states with high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
I can't wait to update you on the events of the coming week, teaching, Easter, and the meeting the rest of their family.
I hope you are all doing well.

No comments:

Post a Comment