in bloom

Alanis Morrisette is playing in the hostel, an acoustic version, and it´s INCREDIBLY soothing!

Ok so things with the girls at Villa Allende worked out fine. Turns out they wanted to stay in Chile for a few extra nights, little to my knowledge. I ended up spending two days at the orphanage by myself, which were very interesting.
Firstly, as I mentioned in my last blog, it was the first time I´ve been alone in quite the while. Initially it was a bit of a shock and the true size of the country was shown to me quickly. I suddenly felt alone in a huge country which doesn´t speak my language. I felt quite small. Another good part was that I got to interact with people at the orphanage on my own terms. People were very curious and friendly, because I was alone, and it is easy to open up to people. This is important to remember, I think, for travelling alone...you get to see things and meet people that you would have missed had you been surrounded by the comfort of company. A hippy woman, Elisa, generously lent me her bedroom for the time that I was there, and took to making sure I was ok. She gave me a bracelet which she said she had made, but I´m not sure because it´s perfectly done. She also gave me a clay cup which she made, just because. It was quite nice. Also I had some good chats with some of the older kids and played with the smaller ones. They are cute. There are also some terrors. I did get my hair pulled by two little girls, and it took a moment of time out not to freak out. If they feel your vulnerability they will continue to annoy you. You gotta have balls! I think I learnt this.

Now I´m in Cordoba. Often I write my blogs from here, it´s a great city and a great refuge from the (occasionally) boring country life. We come here to kick up our heels and in this lovely student town everyone else does the same.

The city is in bloom. When I first arrived here, the land was quite harsh on the eyes. Everything was dusty, there was no grass anywhere. All of the trees were bare and stood stark amongst the cheap student accomodation building. The colonial buildings were the only thing that you could really gawk at. But now, everything is blooming. The leaves are bright green and jacaranda blossoms are everywhere. La Cañada (the canal) that runs through the town is slowly filling up, and green grass is on its banks. The city looks cleaner and more appealing and interesting. Today was beautiful weather and as I caught a cab to an asado hosted by our rep, the smells and sights and sounds of the city sent quite the pang of happiness in my heart in the midday sun.

ACHH!!! I have to dash. Sorry to run out the door just as I was getting excited. I will continue this when next I have time!! Soon, tomorrow, hopesf.
Love to youse
G