Final Thoughts

Leaving Chile was really hard, I learned to love the country with its wonderful culture and people. I wish I would have had more time to explore the rest of it, but I am hoping to one-day return. I loved doing the touristy things, but I loved immersing myself in the culture more. What I will miss the most is the food and markets. The food because it was always so fresh and inexpensive, especially the completoes. Someone should definitely bring those to the US, but for now I can only attempt to make my own. As for the markets I enjoyed all the handmade items. They were always sturdy and were never overpriced. You could see quality and time put into the item and that makes me want to buy it more. One thing I did like about the markets that are different from America is the fact that you can negotiate prices in Chile. A trick I learned was to just add Po at the end of my sentence and for some reason it would work. I would always come out with a lot of stuff at a reasonable price. As for the thing that stuck to me the most about the trip was the long standing question of whether or not Salvador Allende committed suicide or if he was murdered. After everything I had learned through the people of Chile, research, and finally listening to his last speech I never thought for a second that he committed suicide. I know what I am saying may be controversial, but hear me out someone who stayed in that palace and was calm, collect, and passionate for what he believed in until the bombs were going off would not have killed himself. I think he accepted his fate as soon as he started giving his last speech and I do believe his hope was to deliver his message and hoped that it lived on even after his death. Regardless everyone is entitled to make their own judgement. Regardless I fell in love with this country and I cannot wait to go back.

Navigating Chile!

            In the US I had never used public transportation before because I have always had a car. Yes, I know that makes me sound overpriviledged, but in reality that was never my intention to look that way. In Chile they have various forms of transportation, such as the metro, micros, taxis, collectivos, and buses. I honestly became a huge fan of them, even the micro that almost made me feel like I was going to die every time I got on it, but still a very fun roller coaster. My love for exploring cities made me learn to use them. One advantage that I do have in cities is once I have been somewhere the directions do stick to my brain. So after a few days in the city I got around quite easily. Do not get me wrong sometimes I would get lost, but when I did I was never ashamed to ask anyone for directions. The good thing was that people in Chile are very nice and willing to help you. I think that as people we are always scared to ask for help, as for myself I see is part of a learning experience. Overall this trip has inspired me to try to public transportation in the US. Although I will miss all the walking I did in Chile, even Mount Doom. It is impossible to get as much walking a did in Chile hear on campus.

Mr. Jara You Will Not Be Forgotten

I had known very little about Victor Jara before going on this trip, only knowing what I had read from the assignments. As I traveled through Chile I came to the realization that Victor Jara had played an important role in Chile’s history. He was an activist and in a way a voice of the people who were suffering in Chile. His songs gave people empowerment as well as gave light to the rest of the word of the social and political issues in Chile through his songs. I did some research on some of his songs and again I found myself attached to the song “El Derecho De Vivir En Paz”. This song had to do with Vietnam, but in a way it does portrays a general message that we all deserve to live in peace. Another song that I found myself attached to was the song “Te Recuerdo Amanda”. As I later learned more about his death I found myself baffled and deep in thought as to how could someone commit murder like this? How could someone torture someone and cut their hands off, as well as shoot them 43 times? What baffled me the most was no one was truly held responsible or at least truly held responsible. One former military officer being found guilty in civil court is not justice to me. I think people should stand up and have them criminally tried. What baffled me the most about the entire situation is that these officers showed no remorse and no sympathy, but through this tragedy came some good. Victor Jara left a legacy that will not be forgotten, as well as a musical mark on the world.