Mount Everest anyone?
After a series of unfortunate events this past weekend, lets just say it was either bad luck, bad kharma or just good ol’ Shirley staying true to her clumsyness… I had just the inspiration I needed last night!
After spending almost a full day at the hospital getting x-rays and finding out I’ll be in a boot for about 2-3 weeks and no more running, Capoiera or Yoga (my chilean activities I do to keep busy!) and having to try to explain to a staff at the hospital my foreign health insurance that was completely in English- in a strictly speaking Spanish hospital… I was a little down in the dumps.
I walked over/ limped in my boot to my good friend Teresa’s house down the street and we just finally had the chance to relax, sip cups of steaming tea and catch up- since we both have been so busy lately with people visiting, school, trips, etc.
She left to go to her volleyball practice all the way back at Alberto Hurtaado (about 40 minutes from where we live) and I wobbled on home in the cold, COLD dark chilean winter night- a lot harsher than you would imagine!
To my surprise I came home to find my host mother cooking up a huge storm! I asked her if we were having a special dinner tonight and she said yes when Sebastian, (her oldest son who lives in Mexico City now but just got done climbing Mt. Everest so he’s back home for a week) returns home tonight. Curious, I asked ” Oh, where is he right now?” and she casually responded, ” He is at La Moneda (Chilean White House!) receiving his congratulations and shaking the hand with the president!”
Quite amazing! So, we had a great dinner that night of Ravioli, Sweet Coconut Rice, Stir-fry, and orange and caramel crepes for dessert! While talking all about his amazing 16 day climb to the top of Mt. Everest. My first impression of my host brother was wow, he is really rugged,tan, missing a few fingers, and just really humble. He has been spending his life training and climbing mountains, traveled all over the world. We got to talk all about the dead bodies he saw on the way up the mountain, his training, all the other climbers he met, how crazy Swiss people are, the Yaks that were huge and snowy creatures that he encountered after the 3rd base camp, frost bite, and how mental strength is the key to doing anything you want.
I suppose that is true even with just a simple injury such a sprained ankle, or true with living and studying in another country for 6 months. It’s all how your attitude is and you will get have as much fun as you let yourself and accomplish as much as you put into it.
The Chilean winter has definitely set in here! Last night I had more trouble sleeping from the cold than my aching swollen ankle! I was all wrapped up in 2 sweaters, sweat pants, smart wool socks, and a winter jacket- while cuddling with a heated water sack that my mom gave me— and still was freezing! Today I moved a lawn chair out in the garden directly under the sun and just relaxed soaking up the warmth (still with multiple layers on) and read a book.
I’m going to be attempting to hobble my way onto the metro today and to class at the University, at least now from an anthropological stand point I can compare the gawking and stares of people at my giant ugly boot on my foot from Chileans to Americans since this isn’t the first time I’ve been through this. Reactions to come.
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
― Ralph W. Emerson