December 7th….
28 tomorrow on the 8th. I write this as we drive 10 hours across the desert from arid San Pedro to lush, green Salta, Argentina. I hope that in a few hours our Christmas carols will seem more appropriate. Green says Christmas a bit more than the many shades of brown in the sand.
As we edge toward the 3rd country we’ve toured in the past week, I can’t help but shiver with excitement. Leaving Chile stirs so many thoughts. Memories of the past four months. Questions about my future life. Hope for new revelations. Curiousity for the upcoming adventures with my father.
The past year will forever shape the years stretched out in front of me. Separate from home, I’ve learned more about my life in the States than I ever could living within it. While I adore and value the friends I’ve acquired along the way, this journey has provided the perspective and opportunity to explore my own opinions about my life buried within me.
I met the most appropriate person at the close of my desert experience in San Pedro. Josh, a New Yorker who previously worked in private equity, moved into our shared room yesterday. After encountering so many post-college backpackers, I found it refreshing to meet someone else who left a decent salary and corporate career in search of a better path. It seems other countries foster this type of mindset, but it’s rare to meet an American with similar ideas. He reminded me of every reason I started this path in the first place.
December 10th
We departed Salta yesterday at 3 pm. Now, at 7:30 am, we still have many hours ahead of us. The 22 hour journey across Argentina will be well worth it. Iguazu Falls – then some of Uruguay – then Buenos Aires. I’m amazed by the tropical climate of Argentina thus far.
The difference in culture between Chile and Argentina is striking. I realize this is a huge generalization – but Argentineans seem to take more pride in their country and themselves. Trash does not litter the street (nor the fields); only a handful of dogs roam lazily through Salta. The plaza sparkles with a towering, tinsel Christmas tree. The edifices stand proudly displaying every aspect of their graffiti-free, feathery Corinthian columns and intricate stone work. Nicely dressed men and women bustle in the streets, walking past high end clothing shops, gourmet cafes, book shops, and fancy bakeries. Gregarious taxi drivers ask passengers about their travels and waiters work for better tips. This type of motivation escaped me in Chile. Again, these are generalizations. I met many fabulous people in Chile – just the overall atmosphere, customs, and culture saddened me. Trash, street dogs, and uncaring residents outnumber the proud Chileans. While Calama (a city of 130,000) does not possess a public library or book store, even the grocery store in Salta contained many corners full of books.
How is Chile the most developed country in South America? Is that statistic true?
Comparing South American educational systems to European probably isn’t fair but…The Chilean education system must change. I’m not sure where I stand about countries learning English as a mandatory, second language, but if a country makes an investment in this policy…why not create an effective program? We met a group of Danish police officers this past week. Their English – flawless. I honestly could have mistaken them for native English speakers with an unidentified, minimal accent. The French, Spanish, and German travelers have stronger accents, but an absolute command of the English language. And I don’t mean like my “command” of Spanish. Their command masters context and slang as well as traditional grammar. The comparison emerges when realizing that the European countries offer English for the same amount of years in school as the Chileans. Furthermore, exposure through television and the internet is the same.
My students, who sat through weekly English classes for over 10 years, could not express more than their names and favorite colors to me. Counting to ten in English challenged them. My father has not had a Spanish class in 50 years and can count to ten. During my birthday dinner, Kate’s mother recited part of the German rendition of Snow White from her years in lower school. What does this say about their classes 30-50 years ago compared to modern day education in Chile? Or the United States for that matter?
Yes, I realize the American system more effectively educates, but why don’t we strive beyond that? Why don’t I speak three languages? More importantly, why didn’t my Spanish classes start in Kindergarten? At what point did a focus on foreign language and culture lose importance in our public schools?
Feel free to comment here if you don’t agree with me or want to add your thoughts. We are now safely in Iguazu. I will write more soon.
Favorite parts of Salta…
- Birthday dinner with incredibly thoughtful Kate, Kate’s mom, Chris, and dad. Kate and Susan – thank you for the local earrings...I love them and am wearing them now! Chris – thank you for the mate straw…its perfect! The metal straw has Salta and a picture of the Virgen Mary to remind me of where I spent my birthday…not to mention how much mate reminds me of our days in the bakery!
- Drive into town – breathtaking mountains
- Cable car ride to top of hill with Chris and Bob
- Long breakfast on Monday morning
Photos from Calama and San Pedro with my dad and Kate
http://picasaweb.google.com/bob.chile.lambert/CalamaAndSanPedroWithDad#
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