Two of my closest friends, Ashlee and Kallie, both spent a quarter studying in Spain. And I remember hearing them talk about their experience and saying that it had not been what they had expected. It is easy to have these romantic notions about what another culture, especially a latin culture will be like. And so knowing this, i tried not to build up romantic notions in my head and to not have any preconcived notions of Chile before I came (except my Chilean Prince!). And as I have now lived in Chile for almost two months, I can say that there are times when the humdrum of life seems too thick here, and then there are times when I am walking down the street and it hits me, "I´m in Chile". It sounds funny, but sometimes I forget that I am in another country. Sometimes I forget that I am una extrañjera.
And then some culture shock hits me and reminds me that I am different. It happened today. There is one part of my cultural identity that I am not willing to give up. No, I can give up my language. I can give up my personal bubble that people burst everytime they greet my with a kiss on the cheek. I can give up alot. But I am not going to give up my flip flops. That´s right. I was born and raised in California, the land of flipflops, and I am proud to wear them. My time spent at university only made my love for flipflops grow. I remember multiple occasions when the weather turned stormy and the rain was coming down fiercly, yet people wore flip flops. There was always the debate about uggs and miniskirts, which I have to agree with the oppostion, it is just wrong. But flip flops, flip flops are beautiful with all outfits and in all occassions. i even have friends who got married in flip flops.
So today I decided that I was tired of wearing shoes. I got dressed and slipped on some flip flops, cute tan ones with small white beads on them. As I left the house I noticed my family looking at my feet in wonder. It was foggy, but not cold outside, perfect weather for flipflops. As I walked down the street i encountered the normal guys looking at me, but this time after scanning my body (yeah, not my favorite activity) they ended up staring at my feet! It was so funny. I have no clue what went through their minds, but suddenly my blonde hair was not very important. i was wearing flipflops! Needless to say, I will continue to take pride in my flipflops and i believe that no matter how much time I spend in this country, and how Chileana I become, i will hold dear to my flipflops. mi zapatos de california.
P.S. As much as I love Alex Ubago, a part of my heart will always belong to Damien Rice. Does anyone know if he has a new cd coming out soon?
And then some culture shock hits me and reminds me that I am different. It happened today. There is one part of my cultural identity that I am not willing to give up. No, I can give up my language. I can give up my personal bubble that people burst everytime they greet my with a kiss on the cheek. I can give up alot. But I am not going to give up my flip flops. That´s right. I was born and raised in California, the land of flipflops, and I am proud to wear them. My time spent at university only made my love for flipflops grow. I remember multiple occasions when the weather turned stormy and the rain was coming down fiercly, yet people wore flip flops. There was always the debate about uggs and miniskirts, which I have to agree with the oppostion, it is just wrong. But flip flops, flip flops are beautiful with all outfits and in all occassions. i even have friends who got married in flip flops.
So today I decided that I was tired of wearing shoes. I got dressed and slipped on some flip flops, cute tan ones with small white beads on them. As I left the house I noticed my family looking at my feet in wonder. It was foggy, but not cold outside, perfect weather for flipflops. As I walked down the street i encountered the normal guys looking at me, but this time after scanning my body (yeah, not my favorite activity) they ended up staring at my feet! It was so funny. I have no clue what went through their minds, but suddenly my blonde hair was not very important. i was wearing flipflops! Needless to say, I will continue to take pride in my flipflops and i believe that no matter how much time I spend in this country, and how Chileana I become, i will hold dear to my flipflops. mi zapatos de california.
P.S. As much as I love Alex Ubago, a part of my heart will always belong to Damien Rice. Does anyone know if he has a new cd coming out soon?
Comments
i agree with you about flipflops.
i almost wore them to the white house (for my presidential award), but then chickened out and bought proper shoes.
the only other shoes i feel are worthy of this kind of adoration are clogs. great for rain and snow when flipflops may be less comfortable.
besos
mom
I think it would have been very hippy of you to wear the flipflops to the White House. But then again, what would George W. think of a hippy in his house?