Last days in Mexico City with my District. So thankful I get to
see 6 of these powerful men and women here and there in Chile!
I MADE IT TO CHILE!
After many hours on a plan I am finally where I have wanted
to be for a good while! Even though I had to leave the awesome weather and
people of Mexico it is great to be using what I know. Which I have learned very
fast is not much at all. All the Spanish I thought I knew means nothing at all
in Chile! The speed is insane and I can not even catch, "How are you?" or "Where
are you from?" I have gotten some of the biggest neck turns ever. I stand out more
than I thought. My comp and I have gotten lots of car honks and blown kisses in
our direction. She said it is a tall blond thing. We were contacting this one
man who asked how long I would be in Chile and that I should stay as long as I
can so I can share my genes. Of course I just smiled clueless of what he was
saying until my comp said it all much slower for me after he left. I have to
watch my head in most houses to try not to hit ceiling fans or lights. And I can not
even stand up straight in our shower. And I am not even that tall....just a
gringa.
So my COMP!!
Hermana Lino!!! She is 23 and is from Peru annnnnd speaks no
English. YAY! We have had such an interesting week. I have been teaching her
English though. It is hard not to have head ache moments after saying good
morning and trying to focus super hard on every word she says but I am sure it will
help me progress much faster than I would with a Gringa. Speaking of Gringas!
I have never felt so different around people before. An investigator we have, finally measured me because I was not sure of my height in their metrics system
and people always ask. 176 cm!! My companion is super loving though. She always
is hanging on my arm and guiding me every which way we should go.
Food!
TOO MUCH!! Oh my goodness. So we eat a HUGE lunch everyday
at 1: 30 and then that is it for the rest of the day besides snacks if we want.
But I am dying after lunch. It is rude if you do not lick your plate clean
basically. They usually start you with a soup then a crazy big main dish and
always desert. With optional bread and salad on the table. I am usually full
after the soup so I have learned to stay away from the optional bread and salad
so I can finish everything else. It also helps eating fast so I can not feel
myself getting full. Yikes! That does not sound healthy. So I am never ever
hungry.
Daniel!
We teach a man named Daniel! And I pride myself in just
understanding simply the subject he is talking about because he goes on and on
and hardly breaths when he speaks. I finally grabbed the remote on the table
during a lesson and said pausa! He laughed so hard! He did not change the speed
of his Spanish but he lets me pause him every once in a while to try and catch
up!
MAIL!
Again super slow, but this time DearElder is slower than
regular mail. No idea why. I do not know why a lot of things happen here as of
right now. I am making my way though. Feeling a lot of things and learning even
more! I love and pray for you all!
Always,
H. Mckenzie Lance
Gringas are awesome! It's so much fun seeing your pictures and hearing your stories. By Christmas you will be speaking so much better. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a monster air flight from Mexico City all the way to Concepcion, Chile. But you still have your brilliant smile and a great sense of humor and can-do attitude. That will take you a long way toward success and strength of character. Glad to hear the Chileans value tall, North American blondes. Your trainer sounds like a winner and she is gorgeous. No wonder you both turn heads. Stay strong Sweetheart. Love you.
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