The last days in Chile were a blur.  I spent a lot of time with Patti and Carolina, eating finger foods, watching the Telethons raising money for those affected by the earthquake, and a lot of time waiting in airports… and finally I’m home, from the heat of summer to the chill of late winter in one day.

It’s amazing that nothing broke in La Nani’s house.  Many things fell over, fell off tables, and after that ninety second eternity several ceramic pieces came to a halt perched perilously at the edges of her kitchen shelves.  But nothing broke.

Below is a portrait of La Nani as a young woman.  I still think of her as quite young – she has a lively sense of humor, is a great storyteller, and during the time I have known her she has been constantly up to something, knitting a blanket for her great-grandson who is on his way, cooking an amazing meal, or hosting friends and family for dinner or tea.  She still works full time, provides lodging for international students in her home where she prepares at least two meals a day and sometimes three, and keeps a well-ordered house – a place for everything, and everything in its place.  But, she is 78 years old, and as a close relative of hers has said, in moments of illness her body remembers her age.  She had to have surgery yesterday and it was quite serious.  She has already been in the hospital for some time and will have to remain there through her recovery.  I have been staying in her home with her daughter in law, and couldn’t imagine a safer and more tranquil place to be right now than this neighborhood, Las Condes.  I am extremely grateful to La Nani for opening her home to me during this month, I only wish I could thank her in person.  Truthfully, I learned as much Spanish during conversations with her as I did in my classes.  I hope she has a quick and full recovery and can return to her home soon.

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Will came to visit me in Santiago the evening before the earthquake.  We went for a nice walk up the Cerro Santa Lucía, I had some chirimoya ice cream, and we sat on top of the hill and talked for several hours, enjoying the weather and the nice view.  Check out the smog, though – I love this city, but Santiago has a serious problem with air pollution.  A pity that there’s always so much smog blocking the view of the mountains.

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to make it to Viña to visit Will during these days like we had planned, due to the collapse of infrastructure of course… but maybe if my flights keep getting canceled I’ll take a bus to see him before I leave.  As of now I’m scheduled to be on a flight this Saturday… we’ll see.