I bet ya´ll didn´t expect to hear from me so soon. But don´t worry, the cats did not return last night. Believe-it-or-not, I have something much better for ya´ll. My First Tear Gas Experience. Yippee!! Tear Gas = Bombas Lacrimógenas in Spanish.
So things have been heating up in Santiago and Chile in general with the student protests/demands for a change in the education system. Recently, the student leaders of FECH agreed to hold talks with Piñera´s government. However, they said that the protests and student demonstrations would not cease. And they aren´t. In fact, today they came across loud and clear. The march started down the street from where I go to school at Plaza Italia but quickly spread throughout the downtown area. Honestly, things didn´t seem any different going to class this morning etc. Just another Thursday with marches down the street. No big deal. However, around 1:00PM when a group of us gringos were eating lunch outside, the air started to get a little tense as the students were on edge. Even the vendors started to move their carts down the road. Occasionally, you would see all the students take off running. Kind of a weird feeling walking in one direction and then all of a sudden everyone turns around and starts running towards you... Well, they´re running away from the police, obviously, who are using water bombs as well as tear gas to control the crowds. These manifestaciones can quickly turn violent if one trashcan is overturned or one rock is thrown. As gringos and international students, we are told to stay as far away as possible. And usually we do... But before we know it, the potent stench of tear gas comes floating our way. Luckily it wasn't as concentrated as it could have been but it was enough to make your throat feel as if it were on fire as it starts to close up and as tears begin to stream down your face. Everyone was sneezing the rest of the day. It is some crazy stuff let me tell you. I can't even imagine actually protesting and getting that stuff sprayed literally all around you. Known fact, lemons help. So all over the streets you could see discarded lemon carcasses. Kinda wild, right?
Anywhoo, since I am already writing to ya'll, I should go ahead and tell you about the delicious Peruvian food I ate tonight. Pretty darn fantastic. I went all out and got pescado y mariscos con arroz - white fish, scallops, octopus, calamari, the whole nine yards topped with this amazing yellow cream sauce. I was very satisfecha, needless to say. Yum, yum. Tomorrow (Friday) night, my host mom is going to prepare Chilean completos, which are the hot dogs they top with tomato, mayo, and avocado. I've already tried one (which I didn't like...) but my host mom is convinced that I will like hers (which I probably will... I mean, who doesn't like hotdogs, let alone topped with mayo, avocado, and tomato? haha). No really, I'll probably eat two. :) Also, mañana I am going with friends to a vineyard outside of Santiago in the Maipo Valley. So next time ya'll go to Hy-Vee looking for a good cabernet to have with your delicious Iowa corn-fed meat, go with the Chilean Maipo Valley... I'll let you know how it goes. So expect another blog post at the end of this weekend.
Hope ya'll enjoy your weekend!!
¡Ciao!
Just in case you all are interested in a little light reading...
BBC Article: Chilean Student Protests
Santiago Times Article
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