Class today was very interesting. We read an abstract from one of Octavio Paz's articles that tries to explain some of the differences between the South American and the North American in terms of reality. For example, in the United States our reality is something that we create for ourselves with
things and we obtain these
things by setting and achieving
goals. I don't think this is bad- it works. We are inherently striving for
something...and for everyone that
something is different but it's there. South Americans are apparently not the same. According to our teacher, the South American/Chilean lives in the reality that is his natural surroundings. Wherever he might end up is not only determined by his actions, but by the consequences under which he lives and cannot change for himself. All of South America can't be like this. I'm sure that in every country, most or many people are trying to achieve
something- some sort of ideal success. It's not like North Americans are the only people trying to achieve goals and be successful in life. It's just that in our minds, education and lots of hard work combined with some experience of the world are what lead to success- no matter what field you wish to go into. Maybe its hard to explain...but our homework tonight is to write a paper on if we do or don't agree with ideas like this one. I totally agree...in moderation.
Tonight, Lauren, Liz, Liz's friend, me, and Lauren's mom Glady went to Valparaiso to watch Simone (Lauren's sister) in a kind of play/dance. Simone is super legit at dance- and the performance was very ineresting. I would say it was contemporary ? But also tribal ? I'll admit, by the end I was ready for some light-hearted tap or jazz but I don't think those are common dance-genres here.
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| Simone in the middle :) |
Tomorrow is the busiest day ever. Wake up, go to class, go directly to a volunteer ceremony, rush back to volunteer at the childrens' home, and finally come home around 6:30 where Crazy Abuelita will be waiting to serve me another super late lunch. Priscilla is going to Santiago alllll day.
Until tomorrow,
Lesley
