A Weekend in La Serena

Not too close, not too far away. The coastal twin cities of La Serena and Coquimbo are a great spot for a quick retreat. At least that´s what I and Macarena thought this weekend when we took the bus northbound. Thanks to calm conditions on the job front, I retired early from the office on Friday and joined up with M on the bus terminal and soon we were on our way.
It´s remarkable how beautiful the landscape is when you´ve left the capital. Could it be that your eyes are so used to the unseductive streets and buildings of the city, that nature is like Vitamin C to them? I think my question was rhetoric enough.
We stayed at the very comfortable Apart Hotel Peñuelas, strategically located between the two towns. With a mere 100 m or so to the beach, the silence was only changelled by crashing waves.
On Saturday we strolled extensively through La Serena, with it´s colonial architecture and always (?) cloudy weather. I asked myself if we were never going to find the Lighthouse, a local landmark, and suddenly it was right before us.
As night fell, we teamed up with Virginia and had a drink at a place with live music. On stage was a singer and his guitarrist, interpreting songs of cuban Silvio Henriquez. It was not a very well-visited event, saying that four people entering the pub doubled the audience. The singer also complained over dull applauses. This made me make an effort to give the least appreciative applause I can.
To our great joy, Sunday turned out to be one of the region´s non-clouded days of the year. If any day is to be seized, this was the one. It was dedicated to the less wealthy but equally charming Coquimbo. After a visit to the gigantic Cross of the Third Millenium on the municipality´s highest point we lunched in a park watching old men napping in the sun, children playing with the fountain, and dogs doing absolutely nothing. Just the kind of tranquil small town activities you learn to appreciate in a bustling metropolis.
By midnight we were settling in for a cosy night on the bus back to Santiago.

We have a new president

As of today, there is a new boss in the presidencial palace. Her name is Michelle Bachelet, and she´s the first woman ever to assume the Chilean presidency. Former number one, Ricardo Lagos, handed over the presidency and it´s accessories (a red-white-blue ribbon, some medals) in a ceremony in the Congressional building in Valparaiso.
Later, me and Macarena went downtown to check the pulse of the city. We arrived to the Palace just in time to see some famous people stroll out the main doors. I´m not very well oriented in chilean celebrity, but apparently we saw two persons known from tv. We lingered for a while, hoping that a rumoured appearance of the newly installed Ms President would come true, but soon the massive police presence marched off and the crowds followed shortly thereafter.
On our way home we passed the enormous Hotel Hyatt. Condolezza Rice is staying there tonight, and no other guests are welcome. Apparently, Hugo Chavez intended to stay there too but had to find another place to crash. Now, Ms Rice, don´t be rude, surely there must be a bed left for Hugo...
Evo Morales, Bolivian president, pulled a joke on Ms Bachelet when he gave her a charango for "Happy Presidency" present. You see, a few weeks ago Lagos awarded the same thing to Bono of U2 when they visited the country. This puzzled the Bolivians, who consider the instrument to be a symbol of their culture, rather than Chile´s. Bachelet caught on fast and gave Morales the "You crack me up" look.

March

The Sun did a thorough job this summer. Few days have past when the Santiago valley wasn´t bathed in heat and light. I have realized how much air conditioning must mean to the development of a country in this climate. Just imagine your own efficiency at 30 degrees? It´s obvious that you´d rather have a siesta than do anything work-related. But if your office maintains a cool 25 degrees, I´m afraid you´ll just have to go back to that desk, counter, nuclear reactor monitoring room, or whatever is your thing. As a result, more steps ahead are taken.
There is still at least one month of great weather left but if you ask people, summer has past. To them March means back to school, back to work. It´s also the most miscredited month of all twelve. TV ads love to write on your nose that you are in pain now that March is near. Isn´t it funny how advertisement sometimes works with negative messages?
I´ve also agreed to staying on the job for one more month. February was tough, and all indications say that March won´t be any different so they need all the hands they can get. So I guess I´ll continue under the hum of the AC. Siesta-time will have to wait.

New header

After 215 days with the old header, I think it´s time for a change.
This one reflects a bit more accurately my situation. It´s not so much volcanoes and amazing scenery, it hasn´t been for quite a while. Hopefully, those times will return soon. This new headers also features a rich portrayal of the facial hair I´m sporting these days. So, it appeals to all I would think.

After sunset

Santiago, just after sunset.

DVD rental

Last night I finally did it. After months of preparation, I felt ready.
I was going to do it. Rent some DVDs. I hadn´t rented a movie for a long time, in at least 1 ½ years, so the whole situation felt novel. To my great delight, all the latest titles were in. Apparently, there is no buffer time before the video and dvd versions become available, as in Sweden. My mind was set on Hero, the chinese film from 2005, and unfortunately it was rented out. The sensation was very familiar. It´s like when you go the cinema and your film is sold out. What do you do, savor the defeat and go home or choose another spectacle? I think most would choose the latter. So, like a grazing cow I moved from section to section, constantly distracting myself with the trailers running on the tv screens. I settled with Spider-Man 2 and, remembering my father´s recommendation, Big Fish.
As I was dictating my phone number to the cashier, my eyes fell on the sweets conveniently placed just in front of the desk. They had Ahlgrens bilar. I looked again. It was actually the typical Swedish candy in it´s original packaging. Wasn´t that unexpected?
As the girl handed me the discs she informed me that they were copy-protected. "We´ll just see about that" I thought to myself...

Footnote: When I got home, I noticed they were in fact copy-protected.

Harvest

A harmonious wake-up to the melody of birds. Sun pouring through your window. Your arms and legs feel as new after the night´s rest, and you spring out of bed. Your very person radiates vitality. As you open the door to the garden a slight breeze embraces you, carrying the scent of a thousand plants in blossom. Life rushes into your body. You hear the laughter of all that must be happy in this very moment. Your gaze travels straight up, following the white dove that must´ve been right there. In this moment of clarity and truth, the world reminds you: It was not a dream. You may live again. Here, have an apricot. They are just done.

By the way, we´re harvesting the apricots in the backyard.

"Let´s make five jobs out of one"

Let me tell you about how I bought internal memory for my notebook the other day.
I entered the store through the only door that was open, and asked if they sold memory. The girl said I had to enter through another door, since I had entered Technical Support. I thanked her and chose the indicated door.
"Hello, I´d like to buy some memory." I said to a girl sitting by her desk.
"Please proceed to our sales executives" she replied, referring to three young ladies sitting nearby. I obeyed.
Finally, I was able to be attended. When the sales person had received my request, she said "Now, to pay you need to proceed to the end of the room". I did as I was told and sat down with a second woman, who received my payment. "Now, take this receipt to the next room, and they will give you your product." Without further ado, I continued my quest through the premises. In the next room, I presented the receipt and they handed me my goods. I took the opportunity to ask the guy how to install it. "You´d have to take that question to Technical Support."
So, as a nutrient travelling through the food chain, I found myself back where I started.
To make a simple over-the-counter transaction, I had to talk to five people, and one of them twice. Chile may be a wonderful country in many ways, but efficient it ain´t.

In the bushes

Hitch that team up,
Jebediah Springfield,
whip them horses,
let them wagons roll
That a people might
embiggen America,
that a man might
embiggen his soul,
his soul... his soul...


(For those of you who doesn´t recognize these lines, click here.)

This weekend a cousin of my father had invited us to his house on the country side.
Naturally, we accepted. You should never pass on an opportunity to visit the chilean country side. Especially if you´re living in Santiago.
We stayed for two nights, enjoying good company, food and the hospitality of our uncle.
On the last day we went for a ride with the horses. Me, Isabel and Macarena. None of us have that much experience with horses, but we decided to give it a try and have fun.
We rode to a creek not far from the house, where the horses drank happily. As we crossed the shallow water, I noticed that my horse tended to sink slightly in the creek bed. Suddenly, the horse dropped rapidly. One of it´s hooves had sunk a great deal and the animal was struggling to regain it´s posture. After using bad language for a few seconds I jumped off. I guided the horse out of the treacherous water and we continued our little tour.
Macarena´s horse did not respond to input so she switched with Isabel who gave it stronger signals. My horse problems weren´t over either. What´s-his-name (never knew it) was a real food junkie. As soon as we stopped he would lower his head and munch on some turf. I had to give him a really hard time until he started moving his butt again. He was not happy.
Later, we went to the beach so Isabel could enjoy the horribly cold water of the Pacific for the last time on this visit.

I have something to confess

Happy New Year

I wish all my friends a great 2006!
The photo is a 2 sec exposure of tonights fireworks from one of the hills of Santiago.
More pictures of fireworks

Hot Christmas

The sun is shining,
the grass is green

The orange and palm trees sway
There's never been such a day
In Beverly Hills, L.A.

But it's December the twenty-fourth
And I am longing to be up north

Who can tell me what follows here?

Chilean Christmas is a deeply religious holiday. Normally, you´ll attend mass at least once on the 24th and 25th. And were talking long bench-sittings. There is music, candles and prayers to the Lord. So far, all is good.
It´s when you enter the shopping centers that things get really perverted. Where to start... The Christmas tree is at least 10 m tall and with enough blinking lights to give blind people epilepsy. It´s surrounded by red carpets and drapings, weird interpretations of the reindeer species, and finally a live Santa, swetting away in full costume as he receives the young consumers-of-tomorrow. To his aid, some petite girls in short Christmas dresses. Add to this the catchy pop/rock versions of Holy Night. Just horrible.
If you for a moment felt swept away by the festive ambient, you´ll be abruptly deprogrammed the moment you step out the automatic doors. Swaying palms, the sun at zenith and reggaeton spilling out from every car around you. Talk about culture clash.
Ok, so the Christmas spirit is totally messed up, but you can lie in a swimming pool all day if you want.
So maybe it´s not so bad after all.

... but, come on, Santa selling Bar-B-Ques?

Merry Christmas

It´s Christmas, a time of generosity and solidarity.
Being so, we went to give breakfast and spread the holiday spirit to the people that sleep on the streets. You don´t see them very often, but there are plenty.
We concentrated our efforts to those lying under the roofs of a large fruit and vegetable market, La Vega. The trick is to get there early, before sunrise and before the people sleeping are ousted by the merchants.
The first we encountered was a family with two teenage daughters. We gave them coffee, sandwiches and fruitcake. A few paces away was a mother with her 8 month-old infant. Sleeping on cardboard.
Our usual route ends in an alley with several clandestine pubs. When we are all out of givings we stay and chat with the residents. They are always keen to make conversation. My uncle Luchin, who is one of the organizers, enriches our presence with his violin playing.
We found one man lying on his side. When we left he was sitting on a chair, with coffee and a sandwich in his hands. That´s what this is about.
Not to change their lives, but to give them a break.

For the Organ

The Organ. You see it in the back of the church,
always with a broad, metallic grin.
It´s celestial harmonies can soften your emotions.
It´s trumpets and bass pipes can knock you off the bench.
It can decorate or dominate.
What can´t it do?
Be ignored.
The Organ is the King of all instruments.

I started taking organ lessons in April, and this Friday we had our latest presentation. I performed three pieces by Matthew Locke, entitled "For the Organ", a toccata by Buxtehude (BuxWV165) as well as a piece written by myself, "Variations of a theme".
The organ in question is located in the chapel of Hospital del Salvador, a public hospital. The chapel is seen after by a religious community of nuns. The poor souls have to bare with our constant organ practising, which at times is far from heavenly.

I live here

You must have Quicktime installed to see this 360-degrees image.
It was assembled from 37 photos, which is way more than needed...

Santa Lucia

Don´t they look sweet?

Swedish traditions reach as far as their followers, and Lucia is no exception. It´s normally celebrated on the morning of the 13th, but the Swedish community in Santiago had chosen to hold it today since it´s a national holiday. It took place in the German church "El Buen Pastor". I went as a mere spectator but was called in for duty and soon found myself in the traditional outfit: white cape, cone-hat and star-on-a-stick in hand. We sang the usual tunes, accompanied on the piano by a very skilled guy. I really enjoyed the songs, the candles and everything. Christmas is a-coming!

Three days by the sea

Last Thursday Macarena and I set sail to Viña del Mar and the Pacific Coast. Already there were Patricia, my mother and sister. We had been invited to stay in Patty's apartment in Reñaca for a few days, and naturally we accepted without objection.
We watched the sunset from the beach, how the sun slowly drowned in the horizon to the immortal sound of dying waves. (Sorry about all the death metaphors.)
Only Isabel dared to enter the water, and she stayed for about one second. You see, it can be really warm and nice on the beach, but the water is cold as ice. This is due to a current coming from the Antarctic. Further north it gets a lot nicer.
One night as we dwelled in the apartment, peacefully watching television, we were startled by the sound of AA-guns. We threw ourselves to the windows and saw tracer rounds lighting up the bay. Apparently they were practising their aim on beacons in the night sky. So much for the Pacific coast. It was quite entertaining though. We also saw a lot of helicopters hovering over the beach. It seems the Chilean Navy's very motivated these days.

Alas, this dream came to it's end, we returned to the capital and the next day my mother boarded the plane back to Sweden. One day later she reported gloomy weather from Eriksberg, Uppsala. She had travelled around 13 000 kms in 24 hours, that gives an average speed of 541 km/h.
Quite remarkable.

Good morning, I´m going home.

That´s what I could say to a colleague if I were to meet one on my way out the door. You see, I´ve just finished a project, together with Benjamin, and I´m leaving the office. It´s 6.30 AM, and a new week has just been born.
In a few hours the post producer will come in and assemble all our little sequences together and make a lovely little commercial about yoghurt.
Aside from all the work, this weekend has been really good. On Saturday we went to see Les Luthiers in the great Teatro Municipal. They are just unbeatable. A show of music and humour of world class. When the show was over I found myself wishing for them to step out on the stage again, if just for a brief moment. I don´t think I´ve ever felt like that about any stage artist before.

If you were on our street right now, you´d soon see me exiting the building and making my way toward the bus. If you were a stalker, you´d see me getting a seat and stare blankly before me until reaching my stop. If you were a burglar, you might also see me entering my house and later my room. Now, to see me getting undressed and into bed, you would have to be out of hobbies or something... And hopefully I would have noticed your unexpected presence.
I might say:
"Who are you? Did you say you came from my blog?!"

Need sleep, now.

 

Some pictures from the last two days.

Isabel is talking about something.

A family´s burden should be carried equally by the parents, I think.
But maybe they found a better model?

Is the cab moving -- or is it the world that´s moving?


My mother, interacting with the wind in Parque O´Higgins.