Summer Time (and the livin ain't easy)

What is it like to be back? Many people, myself included, have asked this question in the last few days. Well, for starters, I was eager to return to Santiago in early to mid February, when most of my friends were gone, my family was getting ready to move to New Jersey, and the North East winter was getting to my bones. Just the thought of returning to a hot summer excited my frozen feet. As I've written, I was in Santiago for one full day before taking off for Peru. In my pre-semester travels my friends and I learned about the earthquake, and were forced to prolong our journey. Though I had fun, I was tired of eating at restaurants with the same menus, and anxious to eat Alejandra's good ol' home cooking.
This has actually been one of the nicest parts about being back in Santiago. I have gotten over my desire to eat every snack that I see on the street, and I don't really enjoy Chilean restaurant food as much as I would like. This is ultimately a win-win situation because I usually end up eating at home, knowing that the food will be tasty and healthy, and I save some money (and kilos) as well. It's also nice to spend more time with Alejandra, for I've become a lot more comfortable in her home.

Another thing I enjoy about being back here is that I know what to expect when I leave the house. I know how and where to stand on the bus so that I'm not in the way, or falling all over the place; I know when it is time to get on the overcrowded metro, and that even if my entire body is pressed up against another person, they will not be offended or sexually harassed, and vice versa; I know how to direct the taxi drivers to my house late at night; I know that plenty of people will give me the most transparent looks I've ever gotten from strangers - looks that an actor would only find appropriate for the stage, leaving subtly for the camera; and I know what to wear, how to carry myself, and how to speak when I want to fit in like a Latin American or stand out like the gringa that I am.

One obvious new thing about Santiago is the earthquake aftermath. Yesterday, I went to the Universidad Catolica party for extranjeros. To enter the Choripanada (Choripan = piece of bread with a big sausage stuffed in it) we had to donate a non perishable food item and a hygiene item for the victims of the earthquake in the south. It is common to see news, commercials, and campaigns that discuss the earthquake and its victims. In addition to seeing the healing process, I have literally felt the aftermath of the quake.
Since arriving in Santiago, there have been a number of aftershocks ranging from a scale of 5.0 - 6.9. Today we felt two strong quakes that forced Alejandra and I to leave the apartment only to see other families standing in the hallway. One scared young boy came down stairs and cried, "Es un terremoto?" His worried voice reminded me of the fearful memory that these smaller aftershocks bring up for many people who felt the first big one.
To me, the tremors feel like the New York City subway passing beneath an old building. They don't really scare me, but rather, awaken a deep respect and awe that I have for nature. It truly fascinates me that I can actually feel our plant move. Like the horrifyingly beautiful power of the ocean, I become intrigued, worried, and excited by the uncontrollable strength of the only home that all human beings share. It feels as unifying as it does terrifying, awakening a wonderful mix of emotions that help me understand why people would create the concept of god.

And so to all of us who share this earth, assalumu alaikum.