Week Anniversary

10 September 2010

Tomorrow marks my first week here in Chile. This week has been a bit crazy and has gone by quite quickly. We came at an awesome, yet logistically odd time. Chile’s Independence Day is the 18th, and all of the schools have next week off as holiday. So this week was their last week before break and, naturally, they had a lot of celebrations going on. None of the schools are in a typical schedule so our time has been split between getting orientated with what we’ll be doing this year and having and exchange of expectations, getting to know the students in informal settings (hanging or chilling with them), taking tours of the schools, praying, meeting other oblates and staff, praying, eating, and praying. The days have gone by rather quickly.

Next week I’m not 100% sure on what we will be doing but I think it will include a lot of celebrations. That’s where the oddness of the arrival comes into play. I guess I expected that we would be put right to work, but that is not the case. We have another week here of celebrations, which is good because we get to meet the extended community of Manquehue, but it does feel a bit odd because it’s a service experience with little service thus far. I think I just need to get this mentality out of my head. Start thinking of it more as a living experience. We’re here to experience another culture and community, not to work tirelessly on end. I’m sure after a few months I will love to have another two weeks like this, so best take it for all its worth!